And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts." (vv.1-2)
Chapter 23 focuses on God’s appointed times of "The feasts of the LORD." Here Jehovah is explicitly describing how He is to be worshiped in these festivals. The appointed times of the Lord are important for many reasons. To begin with they are part of a national system of “time-outs.” Together, they provide weekly, monthly, and yearly occasions to rest from the routines and common work of daily life, for reflection, celebration and worship. They are sacred convocations that call the people of God together, not only to the temple, but also to the quiet shelter and simplicity of every home of the land. Here the elders would retell stories of Jewish life, its origins and God’s mighty works among them.
The major theme in all these feasts is gratitude for what God has done and what God continues to give; Special “displays of the mercy, kindness, and providential care. There was no place for the ungrateful, unloving, unbelieving, or disobedient heart. For God had delivered them from it all and the curse which went along with it. Communion is like that for us. We recall through the bread and the cup that: 1) we are all sinners in need of a Savior, and 2) we have been redeemed through His blood on the cross.
The prophetic significance of the seven feasts of Leviticus 23 are very interesting. As a group, the first four feasts (vv.4-21) point to the work of Jesus in His first coming – His earthly ministry as recorded in the New Testament accounts. The feast of Passover clearly points to Jesus as our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7). He was the Lamb of God who was sacrificed, and whose blood was received and applied, so the wrath of God would pass us over. The feast of Unleavened Bread points to the time of Jesus’ burial, after His perfect, sinless sacrifice on the cross. In this time Jesus was received by God the Father as holy and complete (the Holy One who would not see corruption, Acts 2:27), perfectly accomplishing our salvation. The feast of Firstfruits points to the resurrection of Jesus, who was the first human to receive resurrection, never to die again. He is the firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:18) and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep…. Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23) And finally The feast of Pentecost points to the birth of the Church and the harvest of souls that came from it (Acts 2). Significantly, in the ritual at the feast of Pentecost, two leavened loaves of bread were waved as a holy offering to God, speaking of the bringing of “leavened” Gentiles into the church.
The last three feasts (vv.23-44) point to the events associated with the second coming of Jesus. The feast of Trumpets points us to the ultimate holy convocation of God’s people at the sound of a trumpet – the rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). It also points to God’s gathering of Israel for His special purpose in the last days. The Day of Atonement not only points to the ultimate perfect atonement Jesus offered on our behalf, but also of the affliction – and salvation – Israel will see during the Great Tribulation. It will truly be a time when the soul of Israel is afflicted, but for their ultimate salvation. Jeremiah 30:7 says regarding that period: Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it, and it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it. And finally, The feast of Tabernacles points to the millennial rest and comfort of God for Israel and all of God’s people. From its beginning to its end, it is all about peace and rest. The Feast of Tabernacles is specifically said to be celebrated during the millennium (Zechariah 14:16-19).
For this reason, some suggest that it would be consistent for God to gather His people to Himself on the day of the feast of trumpets, the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah. This event is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and is commonly called, "the rapture of the church." However scripture clearly tells us that, "No man shall know the day or the hour of His return," only God Himself (His appointed time).
The Truth: The Lord of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.” (Isaiah 14:24)
