God's Plan of Redemption

Have you ever wondered why Yahweh instituted a series of festivals (Leviticus 23) for those who follow Him? What was His purpose in having us celebrate them every year? I believe that there are a number of reasons. One reason is to celebrate His awesomeness, to be constantly aware that Yahweh is God and that He is in control. Another reason is that He knew our need to be constantly reminded of what He has done in our lives. Left to our own devices, we would adopt pagan rituals (e.g., Easter - the celebration of the goddess Isthtar) and create something that didn't have anything to do with Him (e.g., the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus). However, I believe there is yet another reason. The festivals reveal the complete redemption plan of Yahweh from the beginning — instituted before Adam fell, to the end — the creation of the new heaven and the new earth. It pleased Yahweh to reveal His plan of redemption to His creation. He makes it quite clear so that we may be prepared in that day. He also makes it known so that it will be obvious that it is He who has done it and not a pagan idol or false god (Isaiah 48:5).

Yahweh's Appointed Times

In Leviticus 23:2, Yahweh declares that these are His appointed times: He says it again in verses 4 and 37. For some reason the world has come to call these "Jewish" festivals, yet Scripture shows that this is just not true.

The Sabbath (Leviticus 23:3)

Yahweh sanctified the seventh day and rested from all His work (Genesis 2:2-3). I believe that Yahweh had planned to spend an eternal Shabbat with man. There was no curse; He would spend time with man in the garden for eternity. However, man sinned and, as a result of this, a curse came upon the earth. Man was spiritually separated from Yahweh. A plan of redemption was then put into place by Yahweh to redeem His creation back to Himself so that, again, He might dwell within it. The pattern for this plan of redemption is seen very clearly in "Yahweh's appointed times." These are the times that He has sovereignly chosen to bring about each step in His redemptive plan.

Pesach (Leviticus 23:5)

Pesach (Passover) shows the deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt. Yahweh used the blood of every first-born in the houses of Egypt to redeem Israel to Himself. It was a sign to the deliverer that He had sent, as well as to the people of Israel and Egypt.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6-8)

Yahweh instructed us to not eat leavened bread for seven days after the Passover. This is in remembrance of the fact that Israel did not have time for the dough to rise in their bread when they left Egypt. Yahweh told Israel "whoever eats leavened bread from the first day to the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel." (Exodus 12:15).

Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:10-14)

This is the first portion of the harvest. It is to be waved before Yahweh as an offering in anticipation of the forthcoming harvest, a symbol of the coming harvest of Yahweh at the end.

Shavuot (Leviticus 23:15-21)

On this day two loaves of bread are waved before Yahweh. These are the first fruits to Him: "a first sampling of your later crops" (Leviticus 23:17 [LB]). These represent the abundant harvest that is to come. It is during this festival that Yahweh chose to establish His covenant with His chosen vessel, Israel (Exodus 19:1)

Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24)

The beginning of the seventh month is initiated by sounding the shofar.

Yom Kippur (Leviticus 23:27-32)

On Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) the priest made atonement for Himself and all the house of Israel. "For on this day atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you of all your sins; you shall be clean before Yahweh." (Leviticus 16:30).

Feast Of Booths (Leviticus 23:34-36)

On this day (also known as Sukkot) we remember the provision Yahweh made for Israel in the wilderness, how He kept them and provided for them. Interestingly enough, this feast is also called the Feast of the Ingathering (Exodus 23:16). In Zechariah, we see the nations gathering against Jerusalem (14:2) which stirs Yahweh to return and fight for Jerusalem (14:3-5). In Zechariah 14:16 we see the celebration of the Feast of Booths! In Exodus 23:16 it says: "the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in the results of your work from the field."

The Eighth Day (Leviticus 23:36,39)

At the end of the Feast of Booths, on the eighth day, is a Sabbath. This represents the final Sabbath, the eternal one that Yahweh had intended in the first place.

Conclusion

The celebration of the feasts is not bondage. Yahweh does not lead us into bondage. He does, however, require us to seek Him (Jeremiah 29:13). When we seek Him, He will reveal Himself to us and make His ways known to us.

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