God’s Appointed Times
23: 1-44
Counting the God’s appointed times and the Shabbat’s, the Israelites had a total of over eighty holy days a year, which was about 23 percent of the year dedicated to a time of fellowship with God. A foretaste of an eternity spent together with ADOANI.
A search for Jewish Roots: As Barney Kasdan writes in his book God’s Appointed Times, something unusual is stirring among believers in Yeshua in our day. Throughout Church history there has been a chasm of misunderstanding between the Church and the Jewish people. Both Christians and Jews have falsely concluded that there is little real or practical connection between Christianity and Jewish life. However, these views are based on either ignorance or false presuppositions.
As one objectively studies the B’rit Chadashah (New Testament), one finds there is no escaping the inherent Jewishness of faith in Messiah. Yeshua Himself was a traditional Jew living in the land of Isra’el. He called other Jews to follow Him as the Messiah, the anointed one from God. His early followers considered themselves to be Jews who had found the promised Messiah; hence, they naturally continued the Jewish expression of faith. It is a tragedy that the Christian community has not understood, for the most part, the rich heritage on which its faith is built. Many believers, however, rediscovering these connections, are wondering just how they can understand the Jewishness of their faith in a practical way. These feasts were revealed by YHVH for His own particular reasons, and through them all believers can be blessed, both Jews and Gentiles.
The purpose of God’s appointed times: The Feasts of ADONAI, or the biblical holy days, teach us about the nature of God and His plan for mankind. A classic passage in regard to God’s appointed times (23:4) is found in the New Testament. So don’t let anyone pass judgment on you in connection with eating and drinking, or in regard to a Jewish festival or Rosh-Chodesh (head of the month) or Shabbat. These are a shadow of things that are coming, but the body is of the Messiah (Colossians 2:16-17). While this passage is often taken to mean avoid legalism, there is another truth stated. It is true that the festivals are not the ultimate goals of faith, yet they do hold tremendous lessons for God’s children. The festivals are not antiquated tangents to faith but, on the opposite side, they are in fact legitimate shadows or models of ADONAI’s truth. This is something that should be explored in a positive way, not shunned as legalism for each feast carries with it a message of salvation and rest in the Lord.
For example, the Shabbat has much to teach about our weekly lives. Passover is rich in the symbolism of the Messiah’s death, burial and resurrection. Rosh ha’Shanah and Yom Kippur are not obsolete, but continue to declare the reality of Yeshua’s return to this earth. In short, all of the Feasts of ADONAI were given to Isra’el and to grafted in believers to teach, in a practical way, more about God and His plan for the world. When analyzed with the right spirit, there are some exciting new truths waiting to be rediscovered through participation in the Jewish/biblical holy days!
The continuity of God’s appointed times: Some believers understand, at least in a theoretical way, that the feasts provide excellent teaching for believers. Yet, because of certain popular theological positions, these believers question the value of continuing the celebrations today. Their contention is that the appointed times of ADONAI are no longer relevant because Yeshua fulfilled all their symbolism in His earthly life and ministry (to see link click Dv – Holiness of the Seven Feasts). While there is a fulfillment to the festivals, there is also a continuation of the practical expression of these feasts.
Yeshua Himself observed the various feasts during His early life. The Gospel writers tell us that His custom was to worship on the Shabbat (Luke 4:16). It was during Sukkot (Tabernacles) that Yeshua offered living water to the Jewish multitude (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Gp – On the Last and Greatest Day of the Feast). One of His most powerful sermons, in which He proclaimed His Messiahship, took place in the Temple at Hanukkah (see The Life of Christ Hj – Then came Hanukkah at Jerusalem and it was Winter). The earthly life and ministry of Messiah show the continuity of the biblical holy days. This continuity didn’t suddenly stop with the apostolic generation that followed. Although there are several statements in the B’rit Chadashah (New Testament) that cause us to think carefully about the proper balance concerning God’s appointed times, there is clear indication that the early followers of Yeshua continued these practices.
It was at Shavu’ot (Pentecost) that the first believers gathered for worship to proclaim the risen Messiah (Acts 2). In his discussion about the spiritual significance of Pesach (Passover), Paul exhorts the Corinthian believers (a mixed group of Jews and Gentiles) to celebrate the Seder (First Corinthians 5:8) with right understanding. There is abundant evidence that the disciples understood and continued to celebrate the wonderful truth of God through the holy days explained in the Scriptures. This is an example for believers today. Much can be gained by continuing to observe the feasts in the present generation.
The freedom of God’s appointed times: A final note needs to be made as we consider the celebration of the biblical feasts by believers. Hopefully you are excited about the positive reasons to understand and incorporate God’s appointed times into your life. Of utmost importance is the emphasis upon our freedom in the Messiah. These days, as with any other biblical custom, are not meant to lead us into legalistic bondage. Messiah Yeshua is our total sufficiency when it comes to our spiritual standing before YHVH (Galatians 5:1).
Yet, there are some compelling reasons to celebrate the feasts. I hope you will discover, as many believers have, that a balanced celebration of the holy days is a wonderful blessing. The biblical festivals teach much about who God is and His exciting plan for life. It is my prayer that this positive blessing will be yours as you better understand and celebrate the appointed times of ADONAI.417
Whenever we see the number seven in the Scriptures, it is the number of completion (see the commentary on Revelation Ag – The Importance of the Number Seven in the book of Revelation). So here, we have a complete picture of God’s appointed times. The seven appointed festivals all follow a basic structure. First, there is the Biblical Practice, second we look at the Jewish Observance, next we study the Messianic Significance, and lastly, we will offer a practical guide for believers in Yeshua to celebrate the festivals today.
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