Leviticus 23-25:34
Today we read instructions for the appointed feasts of the LORD. (Lev. 23:2) I cannot begin to explore the full meaning of these feasts, what they represent and what they foreshadow. I’ll leave that for a much deeper level of study than we can do here. Instead, I’d simply like us to use these feasts to examine our own hearts.
Honestly consider for a moment your own internal reaction to the instructions for these feasts. How do you receive them? Do you see yet more rules and regulations? Do you hear the voice of a stern Deity demanding particular forms of worship? Or do you hear an invitation to celebrate the goodness of a loving God? It’s all a matter of perspective and attitude.
Now zoom forward to ourselves and consider Christmas and Easter. How do you feel about them? Perhaps more appropriately, how does a child see Christmas and Easter? And how does that compare to your reaction toward the LORD’s instructions for His appointed feasts? Is there a difference? Why?
How about the rest of the liturgical calendar (e.g., Advent, Lent, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Pentecost)? What comes to mind when you read or hear “Holy Day”? How about “holiday”? What’s the difference? Why?
The majority of the text regarding the appointed feasts of the LORD describes annual events. But there is another appointed feast that the LORD seems to be even more interested in, and it occurs every week: the Sabbath. (Lev. 23:3) So, since we’re asking questions… For you, personally, how is your Sabbath? Do you see the commandment to rest on the Sabbath as a burden or as a gift?