February 20

THE FEASTS Besides enjoying one Sabbath day of rest each week, the Israelites also enjoyed 19 days when national holidays were celebrated. This is a culture that knew how to party!!

Passover
One day
(Lev. 23:5) When God spared the lives of Israel’s firstborn children in Egypt and freed the Hebrews from slavery. Reminded the people of God’s deliverance. He can still set us free from bondage.

Unleavened Bread
Seven days
(Lev. 23:6-8)
The exodus from Egypt. Reminded the people they were leaving the old life behind and entering a new way of living

Firstfruits
One day
(Lev. 23:9-14)
The first crops of the barley harvest. Reminded the people how God provided for them. God will give us today our daily bread.

Weeks
One day
(Lev. 23:15-22)
The end of the barley harvest and beginning of the wheat harvest
Showed joy and thanksgiving over the bountiful harvest. It is time to celebrate and party. Who said following God wasn’t fun!

Trumpets
One day
(Lev. 23:23-25)
The beginning of the seventh month (civil new year)
Expressed joy and thanksgiving to God. Grateful people are joyful people.

Day of Atonement
One day
(Lev. 23:26-32)
The removal of sin from the people and the nation
Restored fellowship with God. We place our sin on the scapegoat, which happens to be Jesus.

Tabernacles
Seven days
(Lev. 23:33-43)
God’s protection and guidance in the desert
Renewed Israel’s commitment to God and trust in his guidance and protection

Some additional notes on the purpose of these feasts:
1. The Hebrew meaning of the word Leviticus is "And he called" It is somewhat misleading for although the book deals extensively with the Levites and priests and their various tasks, this book was given to the whole nation. We are all called to live holy lives.
2. The word "Holy" occurs 90 times. The word "Sanctify" 17 times.
What does “sanctification” mean? To be set apart for God’s use. A believer’s sanctification is an ongoing process. When a person becomes a Christian, he or she is sanctified. The Holy Spirit continues helping him or her become more and more like Jesus, which is the process of sanctification. The goal in our Bible reading this year is not information but transformation. Every day we should be more and more like Jesus.
3. God wanted the nation to act as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Ex 19:5,6 Israel rejected this offer by God. Ex 20:21. In the New Testament we have been given this same task. So today give yourself the title of “Priest or Priestess.” 1 Peter 1 Notice this is not prince or princess. Don’t take it too far.
4. The book of Leviticus is filled with the commands God gave his people at the foot of Mount Sinai. From these commands we can learn much about God’s nature and character. At first glance, Leviticus seems irrelevant to our high-tech world of Ipods and GPS’s. But digging a little deeper, we realize that the book still speaks to us today—God has not changed, and his principles are for all times. As people and culture change, we need constantly to search for ways to apply the principles of God’s law to our present circumstances. God was the same in Leviticus as he is today and will be forever (Hebrews 13:8).
5. The point of the book. Make a distinction between the God you feel and the God who is revealed. God gave specific instructions on how we are to approach him. Worship isn't something we just feel…. Don't just wing it. Nadab and Abihu didn't follow instructions and they paid a huge price. Today the ceremonial law is not in effect. But God has still given us guidelines on worship. We need to be diligent to worship God correctly.

An action plan for this Saturday:
1. Take a minute and sing a worship song to the Lord.
2. Be quiet for a few minutes and ask God to reveal to you how he wants to sanctify you today.
3. Make sure your life is lining up with the God revealed in the Bible. Truth is absolutely what God says it is.