Read Leviticus 22
Highlights:
What a wealth of spiritual information is found in just these two chapters. It is interesting to note that the word "holiday" derives from holy day. These chapters thoroughly outline the holy days of Feasts and fasts God required of the Israelites. Every Christian should know them and how they foreshadowed the coming Christ. They are a preview of Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in the New Testament. Christ was crucified on the exact Day of Passover (Lev. 23:5; John 19:14).
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel . . . Concerning the Feasts of the Lord (Lev. 23:1-2).
The seven Feasts of Worship reveal the entire work of salvation. The Passover Feast was first and pointed to the death of Christ (23:5).
The Feast of Unleavened Bread (23:6-8) was observed the day after the Passover Feast and reveals the great Truth that after His death, Christ became the Bread of Life (John 6:48). His redeemed people can actually partake of His life through His Word.
The Feast of Firstfruits (Lev. 23:9-14) is symbolic of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. At this Feast, one sheaf (one handful of grain) from the first harvest was waved before Jehovah, trusting God to give a great harvest. Christ's resurrection is our confidence of the great day when all the dead in Christ will be resurrected to join those who are alive at His coming (I Thess. 4:15-17). But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the Firstfruits of them that slept (I Cor. 15:20).
After seven Sabbaths had passed, a new Meat Offering was brought, known as the Feast of Weeks (Lev. 23:15-22). This corresponds with the Day of Pentecost that was exactly 50 days after the waving of the Firstfruits (Acts 2). Then a long interval elapsed before the blowing of the trumpets (Lev. 23:23-25). The Feast of Trumpets represents the time when this present age is about to close. It is the call of God to the remnant of His people to regather in Jerusalem. The blowing of the trumpets on the first day of the seventh month preceded the great Day of Atonement (23:26-32) and is the proclamation of that approaching day when the great High Priest, our Savior and Israel's King, comes the second time, in power and glory.
The final Feast was the Feast of Tabernacles (23:33-44), which was the Feast of the Ingathering of the produce of the year. It points to the coming glory of Christ's reign and the Christian's glorious inheritance in His Kingdom.
Therefore let us keep the Feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (I Cor. 5:8).
Thought for Today:
But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer, He hath so fulfilled (Acts 3:18).
Christ Revealed:
Lev. 23 — in the seven great holy days of the Lord: Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Firstfruits, Feast of Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles (Booths) — all of which typified Jesus Christ. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us (I Cor. 5:7); Bread of Life (John 6:35); Christ . . . the Firstfruits of them that slept (died) (I Cor. 15:20). Through our Lord Jesus Christ . . . we have now received the atonement (Rom. 5:11). The Word was made flesh, and dwelt (tabernacled) among us (John 1:14). And He sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:8; 2:1-40).
Word Studies:
22:9 ordinance, biblical law; 22:10 sojourner, guest; 22:14 unwittingly, unknowingly; 22:15 profane, desecrate; 22:16 suffer, permit; 22:23 vow, required offering; 23:2 convocations, sacred assemblies; 23:6 unleavened bread, bread without yeast, a symbol of Christ as the sinless offering; 23:7 servile, work at your occupation; 23:17 wave, held up to the Lord; 23:27 afflict your souls, humble yourselves; 23:44 feasts, appointed festivals.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts: Sponsored by Thursday Morning Prayer • Staff: Pam Murton • Government Officials: Rep. Todd Rokita (IN), Rep. Renee L. Ellmers (NC), Rep. Jay Inslee (WA) and Sen. Jim Webb (VA) • Country: San Marino (25,000) inside north-central Italy • Major language: Italian • Religious freedom • 95% Roman Catholic; 5% atheist • Prayer Suggestion: Lift up prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God even in times of adversity (Acts 16:22-25).
Optional Reading: Mark 12
Memory Verse for the Week: Ephesians 3:17
