What About the Festivals in Leviticus?
By David Chadwick
Leviticus is filled with commands to keep several different festivals throughout the calendar year. What do they mean for us? Are people today supposed to keep these festivals?
The short answer is no. Like the food and clothing laws, they were fulfilled in the life of Jesus. They are no longer necessary.
But they do serve as a healthy reminder to all people that we need times of rest and relaxation. These festivals encompassed several days of gathering, eating, drinking, and fun. They were regular escapes from daily drudgery for the Israelites. They were like vacation days baked into the Jewish calendar to make sure people had time for rest and fun.
If you burn the candle at both ends, you are not as bright as you think you are.
God never intended for you to exhaust yourself. You should not only take your Sabbath every week (something Leviticus teaches in Leviticus 23:3), but claim your regular vacation days as well. A string strung too tightly will eventually break.
People no longer need to honor the Old Testament festivals. But we do need to take time away from our work so we can rest.
As someone once said, “If you don’t come apart, you’ll come apart!”
God knew this truth. That’s why he commanded a Sabbath every week and different festivals throughout the year for the Jews.
God knew that humans aren’t machines.
Do you?
Live in-tune with the heartbeat of God!
God might have blessed all Christians with grace, but sin still affects our lives.
It steals our happiness and keeps us from experiencing fullness and meaning that Jesus intended us to enjoy.
We want you to live a righteous, fulfilling life that’s aligned with the heartbeat of God—so you don’t have to live another moment in the miserable pitfalls of sin. That’s why we want to send you David Chadwick’s CD series, Heart Beats, as our thanks for your gift below to reach others with the hope of Jesus Christ.
This insightful series offers biblical perspectives on subjects such as...
- Worthlessness & Shame
- Disappointment
- Loneliness
- Parenting
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For more from Moments of Hope, visit us at MomentsofHope.org.
