Year 1, Week 15, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 15, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Leviticus 23-24.

Today’s reading explores Israel’s calendar in which the earlier prescribed sacrifices were to take place. Leviticus 23 discusses the weekly Sabbath as well the six feasts that were spread throughout the year: the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of First Fruits, the Feast of Weeks, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Booths. Leviticus 24 discusses some matters concerning the Lamp Stand as well as the Table of Bread, which were Tabernacle furnishing; but the chapter ends with the serious matter of an actual occurrence of blaspheming the LORD.

What struck me from today’s reading was what it reveals about the LORD’s claim on Israel’s devotion of their time for gathering in worship: “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!” (Psalm 122:1). Another facet of Israel’s being set apart unto the LORD, that is that they were to be holy unto the LORD, pertained to the ownership of their time. Their time belonged to the LORD. The weekly Sabbaths and annual feasts were not only recognitions that their lives were to be given over the LORD, but also opportunities to recall the LORD’s faithfulness during these feasts, so that Israel might consider their lives in light of the LORD’s protection, provision, and presence: “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the LORD that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are my appointed feasts.” (Leviticus 23:2). Thus, these feasts, while obligatory, were, nevertheless, intended to be joyful expressions before the LORD: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:4-5).

In the Old Covenant, the LORD provided Israel with continual reminders of who He was and what He had done as well as still did for them. It was essential that Israel not forget the LORD and His faithfulness toward them: “Take care lest you…forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness” (Deuteronomy 8:11,14-15). Israel was commanded to not forget as well as commanded to practice the weekly Sabbath along with the prescribed annual feasts to prevent forgetting. A weekly opportunity to not forget was the observance of the Sabbath: “It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.” (Exodus 31:17). The weekly Sabbath reminded Israel that the LORD made all things and the goal of His creation entailed rest and relationship. While that rest and relationship was disrupted at the Fall, the weekly Sabbath was a gracious provision for Israel to experience this goal of creation one day a week. Israel’s Sabbath pointed forward to a time that a more permanent rest would be provided to the LORD’s people.

The annual feast were special times spread throughout Israel’s year: “These are the appointed feasts of the LORD, the holy convocations, which you shall proclaim at the time appointed for them. (Leviticus 23:4). Each feast provided Israel with the opportunity to reflect on various facets of the LORD’s relationship to them. Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread pointed Israel back to the LORD’s redeeming work and their journey from Egypt (Leviticus 23:6-8). The Feast of First Fruits, which was at the start of the harvest, pointed Israel to the LORD as their provider (Leviticus 23:9-14). The Feast of Weeks, which was fifty days after the Feast of First Fruits, pointed Israel as well to the LORD as their provider (Leviticus 23:15-22). The Feast of Trumpets, which was a recognition of the LORD’s faithfulness, was a request for the LORD’s help (Leviticus 23:23-25). The Day of Atonement, which was a recognition of God’s holiness, was a reminder to Israel of their sinfulness and the LORD’s means of forgiveness (Leviticus 23:26-32). The Feast of Booths, which was after the completion of the harvest season, pointed Israel to the LORD’s guidance and protection (Leviticus 23:33-43).

While these weekly Sabbaths and annual feasts are not a part of the New Covenant, there are weekly gathering on the LORD’s day that the LORD’s people should cultivate as a habit: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25). There is also the institution of the Lord’s supper: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26). Similar to the reasons behind the Old Covenant’s Sabbaths and Feasts, the Lord’s day gatherings and the Lord’s Supper also have as one of their reasons for such patterns, the design of not forgetting the LORD and what He does for His people: “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-2). Forgetting is deadly; remembering is live-giving.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe