The Feasts of Yahweh
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The Feasts of Yahweh (Heb. Moed, plural, Moedim = appointed times) were so named, in the
scriptures, because they are His. He shares
them with His people. The barley on the right depicts the beginning of months to Israel,
the time of the 'green ears' of corn, the Spring Equinox. The month of Abib or 'green ears'
marked the beginning of the Feasts of Yahweh. The 14th. day of Abib is the date of the first
Biblical Feast, Passover. Are the Feasts/Moedim for all mankind?
What about the Sabbath?
Is that a Feast/Moed? Apart from Sabbath, which,
if any, other Moedim/Feasts are obligatory?
Sabbath therefore, is a Moed, an appointment with Elohim, a Feast of Yahweh, but what about
the other Moedim? The Passover and Unleavened Bread, the
Feast of Weeks, Day of Atonement, Day of Trumpets, and
finally the Feast of Tabernacles. (This Feast, the Feast of Tabernacles we know
will continue to be observed
by everyone in the Millennium.) Which Feasts then,
are Commandments for us all, and are any of them a matter of personal
choice?
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The first time we read about the 'Feasts' of Elohim is in Genesis 1:
Gen 1:14. And God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the
day from
the night; and let them be for signs, (i.e. beacons)
and for seasons," (moed, an appointment, a fixed time or season;
specifically a festival; an assembly
(as convened for a definite purpose)the congregation;
the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand): - appointed
(sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly,
feast, (appointed, due). Yahweh created the sun and the moon to first shine like a beacon,
but then even more importantly, to work together i.e. let them be
to signal the Festivals or solemn meeting times, appointments
of His people to meet with Him. They cannot be separated, they are to work in conjunction
with each other to signal the Moedim. Not just the sun, or only the moon can be used to show
His Moedim, they are together in this, a unity. They are together to signal
His Moedim, His special gatherings, His Feasts. Because the events which brought forth
the Feasts hadn't happened yet, for example, the Passover, we could
declare that the sun and moon were in a prophetic mode, speaking of future commemorations.
This is a serious matter. The sun and moon were created specifically to signal the times
when Yahweh Himself had appointed to meet with His people on earth. He then adds, almost
as an afterthought, "and for days, and years." This of course was set in place generations
before the Jewish nation was in existence, and long before even the Father of the Faithful,
Abraham himself was born. This should speak to us about the solemnity and the everlasting
nature of Yahweh's Moedim.
This is a question most believers in Yahshua/Jesus come to at some point in their walk with
Him. Yahweh Himself sent the holy Spirit to 'lead us into all truth', so how is it that some
believers feel strongly that they should observe Yahweh's Moedim, and some do not? We are
not here to judge each other, we are each answerable only to Him in these matters.
However, there are issues we need to face as individuals and as faith groups.
First of all, we need to clear up one issue. This is the issue discussed in Galatians 4.
Gal 4:9-10 "But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye
again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
You observe days, and months, and times, and years." Some people argue that this advice
given by Saul is speaking to the Gentiles in relation to the Feasts of Elohim. This is
a weak argument, as Gentiles were never 'in bondage' to the Feasts! For a fuller explanation
of this misunderstanding, follow this link.
Paul urged the Gentile believers to go along to the Synagogues to hear Moses read.
This was because the Gentile believers were coming from idolatry and complete ignorance
about Yahweh and
His ways. The Apostles, after much prayerful consideration and discussion, decided
that they would 'do well' keeping 4 basic rules i.e.
Act 15:28-29 "For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you (Gentiles) no greater
burden than these necessary things, that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from
blood, and from things
strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well..."
Then they advised them, if they
desired to learn more, they could go along to the Synagogue to hear Moses read aloud.
We read this in verse 21. "For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him,
being read in the
synagogues every sabbath day." Does this mean, therefore, that Gentiles,
after believing and being baptised and filled with the holy Spirit, should observe
these four rules as the bare minimum? Paul does end his discourse on the four rules by saying
"...you shall do well" So, taken at face value, this is exactly what he meant. He says
nothing
here of Feast keeping, but they were advised to go along to the Synagogue to hear Moses read,
so they would eventually hear about the Feasts of Yahweh, and perhaps would have the
opportunity to
observe them along with their Jewish brethren. After all, when Yahshua returns, the whole
of mankind will not only observe the Feast of Tabernacles, but will be required to bring
offerings to Jerusalem at that time.
Zec 14:16 "And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which
came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of
hosts, and to keep the feast of Tabernacles." So there
was a way made
for those who wanted to widen their experience of Yahweh. Was this expected of
them perhaps in order that they might to grow in their relationship with Yahweh and
with His people? After all, there was no New Testament Scriptures written yet, only the
writings of Paul and others in letter form.
There was a reason for the Apostles' decision, for Gentiles to hear Moses
and the Prophets read. Is this necessary today? A question we should ask ourselves and
perhaps to
pray about.
So more than just being relevant, it appears, that the early Apostles encouraged study of Moses
and a mixing with the believing Jewish community. Of course we learn later on that not only
were Gentiles encouraged to listen to Moses i.e. the first 5 books of the Bible and the
prophets, they were to be a part of the main body of
jewish believers, being guided and taught by the Apostles, in one Body, Messiah. According to
Romans 11, Gentile believers are to eventually come into
the Israel of faith, as grafted-in branches. Rom 11:17-18 "And if some of the branches be
broken off,
and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the
root
and fatness of the olive tree. Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest
not the root, but the root
thee." Paul talked about being grafted in to the stock of Israel, therefore they were expected to
become cultivated.
There is a world-wide move of the holy Spirit today, of believers in Yahshua coming to understand
the relevance and importance of this 'grafting in'. Thousands throughout the world are beginning
to realise that many Festivals in the Christian Calendar are not even Biblical, and that they
are incorporating many pagan practices, and are changing over to the celebration of the Biblical
Feasts written about in Leviticus 23 and mentioned many times in the Gospels and letters of the
Apostles to the various churches.
Perhaps now is the time for the 'restoration of all things' as
mentioned in Act 3:21" Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all
things,
which Yahweh hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." Maybe
we as believers need to consider these things, and perhaps pray about the various Feasts
and Festivals of the Christian and Biblical calendars and re-evaluate our involvement
in them?
There are so very many 'types' relating to Yahshua
found in the story of Passover, and in the celebration of the
Feast of Tabernacles,
believing Gentiles are able
to glean such wonderful truths about their Saviour unique to the Biblical Feasts, especially
in areas of fulfilment. For example, they rejoice in the Passover story. Freedom from the 'Pharoah'
of sin, and how a lamb (Yahshua) was slain for the redemption
of Yahweh's/God's people, how He brought them through the Red Sea (baptism) and
to the promised land! There can be so much learned about Yahshua through understanding the
Biblical Feasts, and they can be real seasons of joy and thanksgiving, fun and 'righteous' feasting!
So many Gentiles in our day are joining 'hand in hand' with Jewish brothers and sisters who have
also experienced new life in Yahshua and the renewed Covenant, this is surely how it ought to be,
not two distinct groups, but one. Paul talked about there being 'one Body' not two!
Eph 2:14 "For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall
of partition..." Both
Jews and Gentiles are able to celebrate the wonderful truths of deliveance and freedom
together, so
evident in the Feasts.
Is Sabbath to be counted among the Feasts of Elohim? Leviticus 23 suggests so.
Lev 23:2-3 "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of
the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.
Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy
convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings."
As well as it being an 'appointed time,' a Moed, it is of course a Commandment, one of the
10 in Exodus 20.
With a
'Commandment' there is little space for manoeuvre, it is, according to various dictionaries,
"A divine rule" Look
it up! If you would like the Greek and Hebrew,
entolē (Gk)
en-tol-ay'
From G1781; injunction, an authoritative prescription: - commandment, precept.
mitsvâh (Heb)
mits-vaw'
From H6680; a command, law, ordinance, precept. There does not appear to be much choice in
these definitions.
If you are in doubt about the importance of the Sabbath, for Gentile believers,
then read this link, but don't forget to return!
We know
that Joh 1:18 "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son,
which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared." The word 'declared' is
exēgeomai
ex-ayg-eh'-om-ahee (Strongs G1537 and G2233) and it means to 'consider out loud, unfold,
declare.' Yahshua was the 'express image' of Elohim. He declared Him, He personnified Him
throughout time. It was He who in the desert spoke 'face to face' with Moses, and in all
probability engraved
the Commandments on the tablets on Sinai, so Yahshua
Himself declared that observing His Sabbath Day is in fact a Commandment relevant to us today.
Also, we read in the Gospels of His attendance in the Synagogue on Sabbath.
We also read
of Him encouraging His disciples and others to 'Keep My Commandments' John 14:15. Do these
include those of the Old Covenant? Of course. Not the laws 'imposed' on Israel read about these here because of
sin, but Laws He expected and still expects of His Covenant people today. Yahshua was the
Mediator of that 'renewed' Covenant, so Christian believer, you are in fact part of that
special people group.
The Tribe of Judah for the most part has kept The Feasts throughout their generations.
They have been the
custodians of the Torah, the scrolls, the Old Testament Scriptures. At the sacking of Jerusalem
in 70 A.D. the scrolls were hidden away, and preserved and kept. Yahweh entrusted His sacred
writings
into their care, and they have been faithful to preserve them until our times.
Rom 3:1-2 "What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much
every
way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of Yahweh."
A study of the Acts of the Apostles and their writings reveals a little of what the early
Church was involved in, both Jew and Gentiles.
Paul, when speaking to the Corinthians (Gentiles) in 1 Corinthians 5:8 "...therefore let us
keep
the Feast..." (Passover and Unleavened Bread) So, we
can gather that this was an acceptable and normal way of behaviour for a New Covenant person,
even a Gentile, as of course Corinth was a church set in Greece, an essentially Gentile
nation.
Is observing the Biblical Feasts obligatory for today's Jewish believers, and Gentiles?
We know from many
New Covenant scriptures that true repentance and belief in Yahshua and His sacrifice for sin,
along with water baptism and the infilling of the holy Spirit are pre-requisites for Salvation,
or at least the beginnings of a walk with Elohim.
Mar 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth
not shall be damned." and Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every
one of you in the name of Yahshua the Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit"
So it could be said (but this of course is open to wisdom from on high) that these actions
and experiences are sufficient for Salvation?
But then as before mentioned, the Gentiles were encouraged to listen to Moses, so we are able
to
see that the door was open for Gentiles to be grafted into the Olive Tree, to be a part of
Yahweh's Covenant people, the Israel of faith.
(I say here 'of faith' because Paul talked about
the 'true Jew being one in their heart' - suggesting that being Jewish did not automatically
mean you were part of the Israel of faith - that it took more than that.) Is this 'grafting
in' to Israel then, a second step for Gentile believers? Is Paul saying that once 'saved' then
the door is open into knowing the Father more
intimately, and understanding His ways? One must take these thoughts to Him, and ask the holy
Spirit to lead us into all truth. Is observation of the Feasts of Yahweh something for you
Gentile believer to consider?
In our time there are actually many Congregations in our generation all over the world,
circumcised in heart, (Col. 2:10-11) who desire to experience the Feasts of Yahweh and
find great joy in doing so.
Of course the nation of Israel was instructed to keep the Feasts
in the wilderness, see Numbers Ch.9:3-5, they were also kept in the
Promised Land when they first arrived, and throughout their generations up to the times of
the exiles. See Joshua Ch.5:10-11.
The tribe of Judah kept the Feasts some time after the captivity, when, through
the decree of Darius many were allowed to return to rebuild the temple
Ezra Ch. 6:19.
During the times of the Kings.
Israel kept the Feasts periodically, and today Jewish people all over the world s
till observe them.It is
interesting that not only Israelites kept the Feast days.
They were also celebrated by Gentiles who joined themselves to Israel.
Circumcised strangers
and servants, all who were part of an Israelite household i.e. slaves,
servants and strangers staying with them
were also expected to do so. See Exodus Ch.12:44, & amp; 48. (c.p.
Colossians Ch. 2:10-11.)
Yahshua Himself and His disciples kept the Feast days, See John Ch.2:13,
and Matthew Ch.26:17-19 and
so also did the early "Church". (Incidentally, at that time and for quite a
time after the Resurrection, the early
believers were identified as simply being another sect of Jews who followed the
Rabbi, Yahshua, so automatically observed the Biblical celebrations). There are many other
incidences recorded in the Gospels, Acts and also the Letters, to support this truth.
The Moedim are
Feasts of YHWH. The scriptures declare they are to be kept in the
land of Israel, but there are examples where Paul either for convenience or necessity
observed them in other areas, such
as Philippi. (Acts 20:6)The three main Feasts are mentioned in many scriptures, the Feast of
Passover - read about it here, the Feast of Weeks, and the
Feast of Tabernacles. They are found in many scriptures, Old and New Covenant/Testament. They
are all mentioned in Leviticus 23, with clear instructions on how they are to be observed.
Other examples include Deut.
16:2, Ch.16:16, and later in Zechariah, already mentioned,
Ch.14:1-3,12,16-19 where the scriptures
foretell that one day, Jew and Gentile
alike will all be making our journey annually to Jerusalem to keep the Feast of
Tabernacles.
In Ephesians Ch.2:4-6, the scriptures
state clearly that YHWH has opened the door of the Commonwealth of Israel to believing Gentiles.
They were strangers,
who have been brought "nigh" Read v.13. In 1.Corinthians Ch.5:7-8 Yahshua is
mentioned as our
Passover Lamb. So it appears, that celebrating the Feasts was quite normal procedure in the
early Congregations for both believing Jews and Gentiles. As for being necessary for Salvation,
the Acts 15 Scriptures suggest perhaps not? However, this question is open for
prayerful discussion...
Another thought worth pondering on is the fact that the first and last days of the Feast of
Tabernacles, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are all Moedim, and so is the Feast of Weeks,
(Pentecost). They are all 'appointed times' or
Moedim of Yahweh.
This carries weight, and also needs to be considered. I would say that we should prayerfully
consider these things, and while we may realise that the Feasts are not necessarily essential
to our Salvation, they may be what is expected of us from the Almighty as we grow in knowledge
and understanding that they are HIS Feasts.
The Feast of Atonement is perhaps 'put on hold' at the moment, because it was
part of the 'added Law' the result of the sin of the Golden
Calf at Sinai, 'until the time of reformation' Heb. 9:10. If you are interested in finding
out more about the added law, then follow this link. You
will read how the Feast of Atonement was added because of the sin of Aaron's sons etc. The
Feast of Trumpets is also a part of the 'added Law' because of the sin of the Golden Calf.
Read about this 'added Law' here.