During these days that some people are referring to as uncertain times, let’s remember a promise from the YHWH (God) of all creation that says, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22 ESV) YHWH established the times and seasons to continue on no matter the circumstances. We can always trust that YHWH is in control. He has appointed days for His children to worship, remember, and celebrate. Let’s take some time to consider these days that YHWH created for us to connect with him, so that we can grow into our calling of being holy. As Peter said in 1 Peter 1:14-16: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Many people celebrate holidays every year such as easter, christmas, valentine’s day, halloween, and thanksgiving. Some people only go to church service on christmas, mother’s day and easter. These days can be great times for families and friends to get together, but did you know none of these days are found in the bible? They are not YHWH’s appointed times. Have you ever considered what YHWH says are his holidays or Holy days? Did you know that YHWH set aside several days in the bible that are Holy, set apart for Him?
Leviticus 23 lists the appointed days of YHWH, they are:
- Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11; Leviticus 23:3; Deuteronomy 5: 12-15; Isaiah 56:1-7)
- Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12; Exodus 13:1-10; Exodus 23:14-17; Leviticus 4:1-8; Deuteronomy 16:1-8)
- Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9-14)
- Feast of Weeks or Harvest (Exodus 23:14-17; Leviticus 23:15-22; Deuteronomy 16:9-12)
- Day of the Blast or Trumpets (Leviticus 23:23-25)
- Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:26-32)
- Feast of Ingathering or Feast of Booths and Eight Day Feast (Leviticus 23:33-44; Deuteronomy 16:13-17)
These days help to sanctify us and prepare us to live in the presence of YHWH in Eternity (Exodus 31:12-17; Revelation 21:22-27). Each of the appointed times points us to Yeshua (Jesus). The Sabbath points to the rest will have in Yeshua (Matthew 11:28-30 and Hebrews 4:8-11). We see Yeshua in the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread in that he died on the day of Passover making him our Passover lamb and He removed the old leaven of sin from our lives (John 19:31-34; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8). Yeshua is also the firstfruit wave offering because He was raised from the dead on the day of the wave offering (Leviticus 23:9-14 and Mathew 28:1-10). This makes Yeshua the firstfruits of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-26). The Feasts of Weeks or Pentecost is when Yeshua sent the helper he promised, the Holy Spirit (John 14: 15-21 and Acts 2) The Day of the blast or Trumpets points to when Yeshua will return (1 Corinthians 15:50-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). When we observe the day of Atonement, we can look to Yeshua as the final sacrifice for atonement (Hebrews 10:1-18). The feast of ingathering or booths points to Yeshua’ return when He will gather up his people to dwell with Him (Matthew 24:29-31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Revelation 22:1-4). Yeshua and the Apostles observed these days (John 4:16-30; Matthew 26:17-29; John 7:1-39). Paul, the apostle and other followers of Yeshua continued to observe these days after Yeshua’s death (Acts 2:1-2; Acts 12:1-5;Acts 13:14-25; Acts 13:42-49, Acts 15:21; Acts 16:13; Act 17:2-3; Acts 18:4; Acts 20:13-16).
Observing these days was so important that Paul says not to let anyone stop you from observing the sabbaths, festivals, and new moons (Colossians 2:16). If YHWH says these are his days and Yeshua and his disciples after him observed these days, should not we, as YHWH’s children, observe YHWH’s appointed times over any other holidays? The Lord made this promise to Soloman that holds true for all his people: “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-14 ESV). What actions are we taking to humble ourselves and turn to the way of YHWH so that YHWH will shine his face on us and answer our prayers?
