Leviticus 23
God’s chosen people were to be set apart in their daily living, but as we see in Leviticus 23, they were also to be distinct in their celebration of “appointed feasts of the LORD” (v. 1). Several “holy convocations” were outlined today, but since we’ve already addressed the Sabbath, the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Day of Atonement in previous readings, we will spend our time here reviewing the other feasts mentioned in today’s reading. Specifically, we will give attention to how each of these feasts points to fulfillment in the Lord Jesus.
· The Feast of Firstfruits: “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land that I give you and reap its harvest, you shall bring the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest” (vv. 9-10). The intent of this feast was for the people to acknowledge God as their Provider by giving back to Him their best. For a frame of reference on the timing of this holy convocation, the “priests sacrificed Passover lambs on the 14th day of the month of Nisan, and the first day of Passover was the 15th. The Feast of Firstfruits was celebrated on the third day, the 16th of Nisan. This ‘third day’ celebration was the same day that Jesus resurrected from the dead.”[i] Paul alludes to this connection between our risen Savior and this feast, stating in 1 Corinthians 15:20 (emphasis added) that “in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
· The Feast of Weeks (also known as Pentecost): “You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you shall present a grain offering of new grain to the LORD. You shall bring from your dwelling places two loaves of bread to be waved, made of two tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour, and they shall be baked with leaven, as firstfruits to the LORD” (vv. 16-17; emphasis added). Many scholars believe that these two loaves of bread, presented as a grain offering, represent the Jews and the Gentiles. We know to be true that Jesus came to save the whole world, not just one specific people group (Isaiah 42:6; Romans 10:12-13). However, this plan was not put into place until the Church was established on the day of Pentecost (as documented in Acts 2), when the Holy Spirit descended upon followers of Jesus and empowered them to share the Gospel “in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
“Between the first set of four feasts and the second set of three feasts, there is a significant time gap — almost four months. This was a time of harvest in Israel, even as our current age is a time of harvest for the church, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Romans 11:25).”[ii]In other words, Christian, there is still work to be done as we try to bring as many into heaven with us!
· The Feast of Trumpets (also known as Rosh Hashanah): “In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work, and you shall present a food offering to the LORD.” This 10-day feast was set right before the Day of Atonement, and its intent was to prepare one’s heart for repentance and reconciliation to God.[iii] Similarly, Jesus will return with the sound of the last trumpet to gather His bride and forever reconcile us into His glorious presence, where we will celebrate with a magnificent wedding feast (1 Corinthians 15:52; Revelation 19:9). This event is often described as the rapture of the Church.
· The Feast of Booths (also known as the Feast of Tabernacles): “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month and for seven days is the Feast of Booths to the LORD…You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God” (vv. 34, 42-43). Occurring right after the Day of Atonement, the Israelites were to remember and celebrate God’s deliverance from bondage to slavery in Egypt, as well as to recall His presence with them on the journey to the Promised Land. For us, we are reminded that Jesus is our Immanuel (“God with us” – Matthew 1:23), and though we live in “booths” here and now, one day Christians are guaranteed to take residence in the place that Jesus is preparing for us (John 14:3). Who is ready to celebrate?
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Journal responses to the following prompts:
· God has equipped the body of Christ to be His laborers in this world, working the harvest until Jesus returns (Matthew 9:35-38; Matthew 28:18-20). What attention are you giving to the Great Commission?
· What feast reviewed today piques your interest? Find some resources online or at your library to study more.
[i] 7 feasts that point to Christ. (n.d.). Wycliffe Bible Translators. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://www.wycliffe.org/blog/posts/7-feasts-that-point-to-christ
[ii] Study Guide for Leviticus 23. (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/leviticus/leviticus-23.cfm
[iii] 7 feasts that point to Christ. (n.d.). Wycliffe Bible Translators. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://www.wycliffe.org/blog/posts/7-feasts-that-point-to-christ