THE HOLIDAYS OF GOD- SPRING FEASTS.... If observant Jewish people are right, the ancient festival cycle of Israel is of timeless importance in remembering God’s provisions for the past, present, and future of His people. If those who believe in Jesus are right, this same festival cycle is more than a timeless treasure of Israel. The biblical holidays of God are also a pattern of shadows fulfilled in a Messiah who has already come in the first phase of a two-part plan to save His people and rule the world. RBC staff writer Kevin Williams gives us the first of a two-part study on the “Holidays Of God.” With years of experience in messianic congregations, Kevin shows us the profound relationship between the annual cycle of Jewish holidays, and their amazing prophetic significance for people of all nations. 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’ ” (Lev. 23:1-2). With these words, the Lord of Israel established an annual cycle of holidays still honored in Jewish communities all over the world. Whether these communities are Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform; whether they are Russian, Yemenite, or American, these feasts form a common thread in global Jewish culture. In the Hebrew language, the word for “My feasts” can be phonetically spelled mo-a-dim’. It is a word that is best translated in English as “appointed times” or “appointed feasts.” This additional emphasis reflects the importance the God of the Bible attached to these days. These 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. The Provider of Israel designed these “time-outs” and appointed times for rest, reflection, and worship. They are sacred convocations that call the people of God together not only in the grandeur and majesty of the temple, but also in the quiet shelter and simplicity of every home of the land. Together, these appointed times form a system of remembrance. The appointed times of the Lord give every household, whether rich or poor, an occasion to recount the awesome power and love of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It’s important for us to understand, however, that this cycle of holidays is not just about Jewish culture. Even though they are linked to the agricultural cycle of the land of Israel and the occasions are used to retell stories of Jewish life and origins, these holidays provide a panorama of history that has strong implications for all the families of the earth. Seen individually and together, these feasts paint a compelling picture of the past, present, and future work of a Messiah who is the source of life and hope and peace for all the nations of the world. Excerpt from The Holidays of God -by Kevin Williams discoveryseries.org/discovery-series/the-holidays-of-god-the-spring-feasts/
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 03:42:29 +0000
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