““Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts …. that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.’ ” So Moses declared to the children of Israel the feasts of the Lord.”
Leviticus 23:2, 43-44 NKJV
In Leviticus 23, G-d proclaimed that the Israelites were to observe a total of 8 feasts – 1 weekly and 7 annually: Shabbat, Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles.
G-d called each observance a Holy Convocation. They were to gather together 7 set times a year and once weekly, United around one purpose: to know and remember that He alone was the Lord, their G-d.
People have often asked us why we observe Jewish customs and not traditional church ones. Since today’s reading was a good reminder our why, I thought I’d open up. While we are instructed to as it says in this passage, it’s so much more than that to us.
No, we are not Jewish, but we deeply love the Jewish people and feel passionately about their G-d. We firmly believe that they are His chosen people.
Our hearts were fully awakened to the Jewish feasts through a combination of our 5 year old son, personal experience, and our homeschool curriculum. Randal asked us after watching a movie about the 10 commandments why we didn’t observe the Sabbath, and I didn’t have a good answer. We were fortunate to be mentored by a couple who taught us the significance of the Biblical feasts and how we could begin with incorporating the Sabbath.
The homeschool curriculum we used a few years later opened our eyes to the rest of the feasts and thus began our journey of discovery and awakening. The intentional act of honoring G-d through observing His feasts transformed our hearts and our family.
We found that all of the feasts and observances had one common goal: to remember and recount the goodness and provision of G-d. Additionally, each observance aligned with a conviction rooted deep in our hearts that one generation shall tell the next generation of the mighty deeds of G-d so that they would not be stubborn and stiff necked.
For us, the Biblical feasts held more significance than traditional church holidays. Everyone must hear G-d for themselves and their family then walk in obedience to His voice.
As Christian parents it is our duty to teach our children about G-d and His ways – not just one day a week, but every day. We should be intentional about sharing His truth through word, deed, and action. The feasts are a tool we use to do just that. May our lives be a reflection of Him in all things.
Father – thank You for giving us appointed times to reflect and recount Your goodness. Thank You for the mentors You placed in our lives to teach us. Thank You for making a way for me to participate. I pray for the peace of Israel and for the Jewish people. You are good, Lord. Your leadership in my life is perfect and I trust You. Amen.
Daily Reading: Leviticus 22-23