Day 54, Chronological Bible Study
Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Leviticus 21–23 Our Lives are a Tribute The presidential images of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln are sculpted in granite on Mount Rushmore near Keystone, South Dakota. They are monumental tributes to the greatness of these presidents. If we do this as a tribute to mortal men, what should we do as a tribute to our Almighty and Faithful Eternal God? He does not want us to sculpt an image of him—that leads to idolatry. He wants us to remember him in other ways. How? Priestly Requirements In today’s Bible reading, we learn that the priests are not only to require others to follow the instructions of the LORD to be holy—their own lives serve as a tribute to his holiness. God’s requirements for the priests are much more stringent than the other Israelites. Because of their service’s holy realm, the priests are set apart to God from all uncleanness, and even their physical form must be completely whole. The offerings they present to God must be holy sacrifices without defect or blemish and offered in prescribed ways, so the LORD’s name is not profaned (treated with irreverence). This must be done so the priests won’t be punished for dishonoring him before the Israelites (Leviticus 21:6; 21:10-12,21-23; 22:2,9,20). His people need to know that their God is the LORD! He is Holy, Sovereign, and must be reverenced! God has ordained ministers as the spiritual leaders of churches today. He holds them accountable to set the example in revering God and doing exactly as he directs (Revelation 1:10–3:22). With much responsibility comes much accountability. Are regular Christians off the hook, so to speak? No. Christianity in today’s world If we are Christians, we are also priests but of a different order. We are not priests by inheritance (like the sons of Aaron) but by God’s grace (Revelation 1:5b-6). We should be tributes to God’s holiness—the LORD has chosen us, saved us from our sins, and made us righteous in his sight. Now, it’s our duty and privilege to set an example in godliness. How do we honor him before others? Are we careful in how we speak of the LORD? Do we give him the highest respect, honor, and worship, or do we speak of God with reverence on Sunday and profanity on Monday? Do we show the LORD the highest honor in the way we worship, the way we exercise our gifts, and the way we conduct our personal lives and business? This is what God wants. In this manner, we honor him and provide good examples for others to follow. In today’s Bible reading, we learn that Israel visually demonstrates their honor for the LORD in their ceremonial feasts. Six Feasts and their Significance The feasts begin and end with a Sabbath (a day of rest from all labor). The Sabbath is a day of a sacred assembly, and it honors the LORD who instituted it (Exodus 20:8-11). The Israelites weren't to do any work at all on these days. The LORD wants their undivided attention, and the Sabbath gives the Israelites time to prepare their hearts and minds for worship. Today, we Christians obey Christ and live by grace, not the law of Moses. While we may not observe an official Sabbath day’s rest (Matthew 12:1-13; Romans 14:5-6a), one day of rest per week is good for our bodies and minds, and it honors the LORD who gave it. The Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread The Feast of Passover commemorates Israel’s deliverance from bondage. It begins the fourteenth day of the first month of Nissan (or “Abib,” Exodus 34:18). This is in late March or Early April. This one-week-long celebration is comparable to Good Friday and Easter week. It is also celebrated in the same months. Christ died on the cross on Good Friday, delivering us from the bondage of sin. On Easter Sunday, he arose from the dead. The Feast of Unleavened Bread The next day after Passover (the fifteenth day), the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins. It lasts for seven days. The Israelites eat bread without leaven (yeast), commemorating their hasty exit from Egypt (Exodus 12:16-20). It was then that they began a new life with God. In Jesus’ day, he said, “Beware of the Pharisees’ leaven,” meaning false teaching (Matthew 16:12). God uses leaven as a symbol of sin because it increases in size and consequences. When we are delivered like the Israelites, we need to depart quickly from our sin and walk in newness of life (more...). Feast of Firstfruits The next feast is the Wave Offering or the Feast of Firstfruits. The Israelites bring sheaves from the beginning of their barley harvest and wave them before the LORD. Sacrifices accompany the grain offerings. The Feast of Firstfruits implies more harvest to come. In thankfulness, we, too, should offer the firstfruits of our labor, having faith that God will supply all our needs (Proverbs 3:9-10). The Feast of Firstfruits also has a spiritual correlation. Jesus Christ would later come to earth as a baby, perform miracles as God’s Son, suffer betrayal and crucifixion, and then be resurrected. He becomes the firstfruit of those who will later arise from the dead with eternal life (1Corinthians 15:20-23). Feast of Weeks Fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits is the Feast of Weeks. This is the celebration of the first wheat harvest. Again, there is a spiritual correlation between the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) and Jesus Christ. Fifty days after Christ arises from the dead and becomes the firstfruit, on the day of Pentecost, there is a large harvest of 3,000 souls who are given spiritual life (Acts 2:1-41). Feast of Trumpets and Tabernacles (Day of Atonement and Thanksgiving) On the first day of the seventh month (Tishri), the Feast of Trumpets announces the coming Day of Atonement (on the tenth). This is a time of spiritual cleansing in the fall season (October-November). It is followed by a celebration which we might liken to our Thanksgiving, the Feast of Ingathering (of their harvest). As the Feast of Trumpets, one day, a trumpet blast will sound Jesus Christ’s coming. This will happen when he gathers up (raptures) church-age believers into heaven (Hebrews 9:27-28). The Day of Atonement may also foretell the time when Israel will repent and again be God’s chosen and blessed nation. This will happen at the beginning of Christ’s millennial reign (Zechariah 12:9-11 and 13:1). The harvest celebration continues with the Feast of Tabernacles. On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, the Israelites make decorative booths or tabernacles (small tent-like structures) of palm branches. They live seven days in these little huts to remember how they lived when God brought them up out of Egypt. For forty years, God took care of them in the wilderness, protected them, and blessed them. Someday, we will celebrate all the ways our Savior has led us home to heaven. Praise God! Discussion Christian leaders and ministers are held accountable for setting the example of holiness and reverence for God. Are ordinary Christians off the hook? Why or why not? . Should Christians observe a Sabbath day? Why or why not? . What can the Feast of Trumpets be likened to? Name at least one of three and tell why. . Focus Verse 1Peter 3:15 (NIV) “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” Endnote: Many insights into the regulations for priests and the appointed feasts were gained through The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the O.T. by Walvoord and Zuck, © 1985, pp. 204-208.
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