LEVITICUS 23
The Hebrew calendar was organized around a series of sevens. The seventh day of the week was the Sabbath. They celebrated seven annual feasts, three of which occurred in the seventh month. The seventh year was their Sabbatical Year, and after forty-nine years (seven times seven), they celebrated the Year of Jubilee.
God invites us to remember. Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread reminded them of their miraculous deliverance from Egypt by the mighty hand of God. The Feast of Tabernacles reminded the people that their ancestors had lived in booths during their wanderings. Each new generation must be taught what God has done for His people; otherwise, they may take their blessings for granted. Specific times of remembering can be good for all of us.
God invites us to rejoice. At least three of the seven feasts (Firstfruits, Pentecost, and Tabernacles) were tied to the agricultural life of the people, reminders that God was the Giver of all that they needed and enjoyed.
God invites us to repent. The great Day of Atonement (chap. 16) required the people to confess their sin and trust God for cleansing. It was followed by Tabernacles, a week of joy and feasting. True joy comes only when we know we are right with God (
The Seven Feasts Picture Salvation History
Passover • Christ, the Lamb, who died for us • John 1:29;
Unleavened Bread • The Christian life of fellowship, separation from sin, and feeding on Christ • 1 Cor. 5:6–8
Firstfruits • The resurrection of Christ • 1 Cor. 15:20–23
Pentecost • The coming of the Holy Spirit • Acts 2:1ff.
Trumpets • The gathering together of God’s people • Isa. 27:12–13;
Day of Atonement • The future cleansing of God’s people • Zech. 13:1–2;
Tabernacles • The future joy of God’s people in His kingdom • Zech. 14:16–21