Last time in Christ in Leviticus, the Offerings, we discussed the Old Testament sacrificial system and how God, through this system, revealed to the Israelites how to get in His presence and fellowship with Him. Here, we will talk about the Old Testament Feasts ordained by God through which He shows the Israelites how to maintain their newly founded fellowship with Him.
God appointed certain times of the year as sacred and commanded the Israelites to hold feasts during those times (Leviticus 23). Each Feast commemorated a particular part of their history and pointed them directly to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. There were seven feasts, three in the Spring, one at harvest time, and three in the Fall. Together, these feasts paint a beautiful picture of the coming Messiah. As you will see, Jesus fulfills each Feast in a unique, evident way.
Passover
The Israelites observe Passover for seven days. Passover marks the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Jesus fulfilled Passover in that He was the perfect Passover lamb, offering himself as a sacrifice to save all those who turn to Him.
Unleavened Bread
As part of the Passover celebration, the Festival of Unleavened Bread commemorates the Israelite’s hasty departure from Egypt: they had to leave so quickly, they did not have time to put yeast in the bread. The Israelites celebrate this occasion on the day after Passover. Christ is the unleavened bread, without sin (1 Corinthians 5:8). Christ is the bread of life (John 6:35)
Firstfruits
The Feast of the Firstfruits is a Jewish harvest feast where Israelites offer the first products of the harvest to God, and the priests wave the firstfruit before God, showing Israel’s gratitude and dependence on the Lord. This Feast occurs the day after the Sabbath Leviticus 23:11. It points us to Christ as the resurrection, the first fruit of the dead (1 Cor 15:20-23), and the first of the great harvest of souls (Luke 22:20). Like the Feast, Christ was raised on the first day of the week.
Pentecost (Feast of Weeks)
Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks, celebrates the end of the grain harvest. It occurs fifty days after the Feast of First Fruits. Two baked loaves of new, fine, leavened flour are brought out, and the priests wave the loaves before the Lord, along with the animal sacrifice offering for sin and peace offerings.
Pentecost for Christians is when God poured the Holy Spirit on the people, and the church was born (Acts 1:5, 2:4). The two loaves in the original ceremony represent both the Jews and the Gentiles who come together in Christ.
Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah)
The Feast of the Trumpets is a day for solemn rest and holy convocation. It encourages the Israelites to reflect on the harvest and the sins accumulated during the previous year. The Feast is the first day of the seventh month of the Jewish year. Trumpets are sounded on the first day, signaling they are beginning a sacred month. Throughout the Bible, trumpets are used to announce God’s presence. In fact, Jesus told us that the judgment of humanity would be announced by trumpets (Matt. 24:31). Additionally, Paul taught the day of resurrection (rapture) would be introduced by trumpets (1 Corinthians 15:52). This Feast represents the regathering of Israel by Christ.
Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
Leviticus 16, Leviticus 23:26-32
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year, also known as the Sabbath of Sabbaths. It falls ten days after the Feast of Trumpets. On this day, the Israelites ask God for forgiveness for their sins. The priests used two sacrificial goats to atone for God’s chosen people’s sins: one goat to be slain as the substitutionary death needed for the forgiveness of sins. The other is a scapegoat representing the complete removal of sin. The High Priest placed his hands on the scapegoat, transferring Israel’s sins to the goat, and then sent the goat off into the wilderness, carrying away Israel’s sin. This dual sacrifice represents what Jesus ultimately did for us on the cross: He died a sacrificial, substitutionary death and took all of our sins with Him on the cross.
Feast of Tabernacles (Booths or Sukkot)
During the Feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites leave their homes and live in tents. The Feast takes place a few days after the Day of Atonement and celebrates God’s provision and protection of Israel’s people during their 40 years of wandering in the desert. The Lord was in the desert with the Israelites in the Tabernacle, so the Feast also celebrates His presence dwelling with His people. All nations will celebrate this Feast during the Millennium when Christ reigns here on earth (Zechariah 14:16-19).
Christ has already fulfilled the Spring feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. The harvest feast of Pentecost is ongoing today; through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the church continues to harvest new believers. The final three Fall feasts are yet to be fulfilled through Christ in his Second Coming. Believers eagerly await Christ to gather the elect with a loud trumpet call, for unbelievers to be judged, and for Christ’s elect to dwell with God forever and ever and ever!
