Biblical Feasts Explained
The feasts that we read about in the Old Testament were never arbitrary festivals or simply a product of cultural tradition. Rather, they were appointed times established by God to be observed by the children of Israel. These Holy Days (as outlined in Leviticus 23 and referenced in many other places in the Word) were an integral part of God's covenant relationship with Israel. They served as a reminder to Israel of God's love, God's protection, God's provisions, God's deliverance, and God's ability to overcome the obstacles Israel would face from her enemies.
Many people today have ben mistaught to believe that the Bible applies universally to all nations and that all of the Bible's commands and practices can be followed equally well by everyone. However, the Word clearly shows that God only works with the Nation of Israel. The feasts were a part of the identity of Israel as God's covenant people. The feasts provided Israel with opportunities to express thanks, reverence, and obedience to God. They provided a way to tell the story of what God did for His people and what He promised to continue to do for them.
Deliverance Was a Repeated Theme of the Feasts
One of the most prevalent themes evident in the biblical feasts is the theme of deliverance. For example, the Passover feast commemorates the miraculous action of God when He delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. This was not a festival to be celebrated globally. It was a memorial of how God intervened in the lives of His chosen nation, judged their oppressors, and delivered His people with great force and might.
This same pattern is repeated time after time. The feasts were a way for each generation of Israelites to remember that their history was influenced by the direct intervention of God.
Feasts Were Also Celebrations of God's Provision and Covenant Love
In addition to celebrating God's deliverance of Israel, the biblical feasts were also a way to celebrate the loving care of God. While God was the One Who delivered Israel from their enemies, He was also the One Who fed them, sustained them, and remained faithful to the covenant He made with them. Harvest and Ingathering feasts were a reminder that everything they received - including the land, the produce, the increase, and the blessings - came from God.
These observances taught Israel to be thankful for all of God's blessings. They were a reminder to look backward at God's past actions and to trust God for future provision. They were not man-made holidays created solely for enjoyment. They were a reminder to each generation of Israelites that all of their blessings came from the hand of God. God's love for Israel was demonstrated in both the grand, dramatic acts of salvation, as well as in the everyday provisions, protections, and guidance of God.
Feasts Were Also a Call to Holiness
In addition to being a celebration of God's provision and covenant love, the feasts were also a call to holiness. Israel was not permitted to worship God in whatever manner she chose. God designated specific times and methods for the people of Israel to come together before Him. These days were consecrated. When the people of Israel observed these days, they were demonstrating reverence for God's order and respect for His commandments.
This is significant because the feasts were always tied to God's covenant responsibilities. The feasts were a gift, but they were also a duty. Israel was to remember who they were, who had called them, and what was expected of them as a holy nation. The feasts helped maintain the identity of the Israelites and helped keep the people aware of their relationship with God.
Victory Was Another Important Theme of the Feasts
Another major theme evident in the biblical feasts is victory. Again and again in the Scriptures, God demonstrates His strength on behalf of Israel. He defeats oppressors, judges hostile powers, and preserves His people when they are threatened. The feasts reflect this reality. They were not simply religious rituals. They were celebrations of the victories of the God of Israel over those who opposed His chosen nation.
For the Israelite people, these appointed times were a constant reminder that their existence and continued presence in the land of Canaan were not simply accidents. The God of the universe was directly involved in their history. He protected them and defended them because they were His people.
Understanding Why the Biblical Feasts Are Significant In Reading Scripture Today
If one wishes to understand the biblical feasts correctly, he/she must view them within their proper context. The feasts were specifically for Israel. They celebrated the love of God for Israel, God's deliverance of His chosen people, God's provisions, God's holiness, and God's victory over Israel's enemies. They were covenant memorials, not universal observances for all humanity.
When viewed within the context of Leviticus 23 and the remainder of the Bible, the feasts are easier to understand. They demonstrate God's faithfulness to Israel and the special nature of the relationship which God has with His chosen nation.
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