The Light of Christ Journey

Encouraging people on their journey with Christ

The Festival of Tabernacles is the seventh festival listed in Leviticus 23 and celebrates God’s presence with His people. It was celebrated in the fall, five days after the Day of Atonement. It was a pilgrimage festival, meaning that, if possible, a devout Jew would travel to Jerusalem and the Temple to celebrate it.

God Demonstrated His Presence in the Wilderness

God visibly showed His presence with His people as He guided them out of Egypt and through the wilderness. Exodus 13: 21 The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. 22 And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.[1]

After they left Egypt, God gave Moses instructions to build the Tabernacle. This tent was always to be in the center of the camp. When completed, it was a visible demonstration of God’s presence. Exodus 40: 34 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 35 Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle[2]. Thus, the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night was now over the Tabernacle in the center of the camp.

The Festival of Tabernacles was a time to remember that God had done this. People would camp out in small structures made of branches to remember their time in the wilderness.

Jesus was God Present with His People

John presents Jesus as the Word who was present with God the Father from the beginning. Then he describes how Jesus became human and walked the earth. John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We looked upon His glory, the glory of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth.[3] Most Bible translations say the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. But the word used for ‘dwelt’ is actually the Greek word for ‘tabernacle’.

The reference to Jesus tabernacling with humans recalls God living in the Tabernacle during the wilderness journey. Just as God had shown His presence to the people through the pillar of fire and cloud, now Jesus was a visible presence of God here on earth. John 1: 17 That is, the law was given to us through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son is the one who has shown us what God is like. He is himself God and is very close to the Father. [4]

To hear more about God’s presence with His people, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-tabernacles


[1,2] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.

[3]Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.

[4] Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International

Atonement is the privilege of forgiveness. God gave the instructions for the Day of Atonement after Aaron’s sons died. The judgment of God killed them when they entered the Lord’s presence and burned the wrong kind of fire before Him. God is very serious about His instructions being followed. The privilege of forgiveness was God’s to give, not man’s right to get.

The Right Heart Attitude for Forgiveness

Leviticus 23: 26 Then the Lord said to Moses, 27 “Be careful to celebrate the Day of Atonement on the tenth day of that same month—nine days after the Festival of Trumpets. You must observe it as an official day for holy assembly, a day to deny yourselves and present special gifts to the Lord. 28 Do no work during that entire day because it is the Day of Atonement, when offerings of purification are made for you, making you right with the Lord your God.[1]

The Day of Atonement is the only festival where God requires fasting, a day to deny yourselves. They were also to do no work; the work on this day was the work of the Lord making them right with Him. The forgiveness the people received on the Day of Atonement was a gift of God.

This foreshadows that we are saved only through God’s grace and by faith. We cannot earn our salvation because of our character or good works. Ephesians 2: God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it[2]

Dealing with Sin is Important

On the Day of Atonement, God called His people to take sin seriously, and He still calls us to do the same today.

James 4:Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.[3]

Warren Wiersbe has a great quote: “Forgiveness and the fear of the Lord go together, for the privilege of forgiveness carries with it the obligation of commitment and obedience. Jesus offered Himself up to the Father in total obedience, and we cannot do less than follow His example.”[4]

To hear about the privilege of forgiveness, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festivals-of-trumpets-day-of-atonement


[1-3] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Holy (p. 74). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

The old sacrificial system acted just like a credit card. When we charge a purchase, the credit card company covers the price until we pay the full bill. The Old Testament sacrificial system was temporary until Jesus came and gave us a permanent solution.

The Sacrificial System was Only Temporary

Paul explained why Jesus’ New Covenant could replace the Old Covenant. Galatians 3: 23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.

24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.[1]

Paul uses the image of a guardian for an underage child for the old sacrificial system. Just as a guardian becomes outdated when the child becomes an adult, so too did the sacrificial system when Jesus paid the price for our sin.

A Modern Illustration of a Credit Card

A credit card can illustrate the relationship of the sacrificial system to the New Covenant of Jesus. A credit card is simply a piece of plastic, but it is accepted as cash. The credit card company covers the purchase price until the cardholder pays the bill at the end of the month.[2]

In this sense, the sacrifices under the Old Covenant covered the people’s sins and foreshadowed the day when Jesus would make full payment on the cross. Because Jesus has paid not only for all past sins but also for all future ones, there is no need for the sacrificial system today.

The New Covenant

Hebrews 9: 12 With his (Jesus’) own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.

13 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. 15 That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.[3]

To hear how the New Covenant of Jesus is just like a credit card, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festivals-of-trumpets-day-of-atonement


[1,3] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

[2] Kevin Howard & Marvin Rosenthal, The Feasts of the Lord, Thomas Nelson Publishing, Nasheville, TN, 1997, p 131.

God had given instructions for the Day of Atonement sacrifices. There were to be two goats considered as one offering. The priests would choose by lot, one goat as a blood sacrifice. The other, the scapegoat, would symbolize the people’s sins being taken away.

Instructions for the Goats

The High Priest was to choose two male goats without defects. Then, by lot, he was to choose one goat to be the sin sacrifice and the other goat to be the scapegoat.

The High Priest would kill the goat chosen to be the sin offering for the nation. Then the goat’s blood would be sprinkled on the mercy seat of the Ark in the Most Holy Place. Next, the High Priest would sprinkle the blood on the brazen altar.

Then the High Priest would put both hands on the head of the living scapegoat and confess over it the sins of the nation. This goat was then led out to the wilderness, never to be seen again. Thus, the release of the goat symbolized the carrying away of the people’s sins, never to be seen again. (Summary of Leviticus 16:7-28)

The Goat Offering Foreshadows What Christ Will Do

John the Baptist prophesied what Jesus would do. John 1: 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! [1] The author of Hebrews gives us even more insight.

Hebrews 9: 11 So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world12 With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.[2]

The definition of a  scapegoat is “one that bears the blame for others.”[3] Jesus, who never sinned became sin for us and bore the blame we deserved. Then He removed our sins far away. Psalm 103: 10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve…12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.[4]

Jesus accomplished the work of the Day of Atonement goats once and forever. Jesus fulfilled the Day of Atonement with His work on the cross. What a great Savior we have.

To hear more about two goats considered as one offering, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festivals-of-trumpets-day-of-atonement


[1] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. 

[3]https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scapegoat

In Leviticus 16, God gives the procedure of the High Priest for the Day of Atonement. This foreshadows how Jesus, who would bring our atonement, would also be our high priest. Hebrews 4: 14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe[1]

Procedure of Humiliation

In Leviticus 16:3-5, the high priest prepared for the Day of Atonement Service. He would make sure the sacrificial animals were ready. Then he would take off the special garment of the High Priest and put on the simple linen garments of an ordinary priest. This would be an act of humiliation, as he set aside the official, highly decorated robes.

Jesus would humble Himself to come to earth. Philippians 2: You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slaveand was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.[2]

Procedure of Sanctification

Sanctification is to be purified from sin and dedicated to God. The High Priest would first wash at the laver and then offer a blood sacrifice for his sin. By doing this, he was setting himself apart to serve the Lord and His people.

Jesus was the only one who never sinned. 1 John 3:And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. [3] Therefore, Jesus did not have to offer any sacrifice to cover His sin. He did, however, dedicate Himself to the task of serving God. John 5: 19 So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. [4] Jesus set Himself apart to serve His Father, and by doing so, served us.

Procedure of Glorification

Once the High Priest was sure all the sacrifices were complete, he would remove the simple linen garment, bathe, and then put on his highly decorated official robes. He would return to the glory of his office.

This foreshadows Jesus’ return to heaven, where He received the glory He had put aside to come to earth. Hebrews 1:The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.[5] 

To hear more about how the procedure of the high priest foreshadows what Jesus did for us, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festivals-of-trumpets-day-of-atonement


[1-5] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

When God gave instructions for the Day of Atonement, He specified how the High Priest was to access the Most Holy Place. These rules apply to both the Tabernacle and then the Temple. The writer of Hebrews provides a clear explanation.

Hebrews 9:1That first covenant between God and Israel had regulations for worship and a place of worship here on earth. There were two rooms in that Tabernacle. In the first room were a lampstand, a table, and sacred loaves of bread on the table. This room was called the Holy Place. Then there was a curtain, and behind the curtain was the second room called the Most Holy Place. In that room were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides. Inside the Ark were a gold jar containing manna, Aaron’s staff that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the Ark were the cherubim of divine glory, whose wings stretched out over the Ark’s cover, the place of atonement. But we cannot explain these things in detail now.

When these things were all in place, the priests regularly entered the first room as they performed their religious duties. But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. And he always offered blood for his own sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use.[1]

Context of Worship in the Most Holy Place

God gave Moses specific instructions for the Day of Atonement. Aaron’s sons had not honored God in their actions, which resulted in their death. Leviticus 16:1 The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of Aaron’s two sons, who died after they entered the Lord’s presence and burned the wrong kind of fire before him. The Lord said to Moses, “Warn your brother, Aaron, not to enter the Most Holy Place behind the inner curtain whenever he chooses; if he does, he will die. For the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—is there, and I myself am present in the cloud above the atonement cover.[2]

God limited access to His presence in the Most Holy Place under the old sacrificial system.

Jesus Gives us Access to God’s Presence

The Gospels tell us of Jesus’ work on the cross. John 19:28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” [3] What was finished? Jesus had paid the price for our sins through His sacrifice on the cross.

This full payment opened our access to God, we no longer needed a priest to act as a go between. Mark 15:37 Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.[4] God tore the curtain from top to bottom to show that now, through the blood of Christ, we have access to His Throne room, the Most Holy Place.

To hear more about access to the Most Holy Place, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festivals-of-trumpets-day-of-atonement


[1-4] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

What is atonement? A dictionary definition includes:

Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur

The Hebrew word kapar, translated “atonement,” means “to ransom, to remove by paying a price.[2] Thus, in the process of atonement, blood is shed to pay the price for sin. Hebrews 9:22 In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.[3]

The Day of Atonement is also known as its Hebrew name, Yom Kippur. This was the holiest of the Levitical Festivals and occurred in the fall, in September or October on our calendar. God gave His people a specific procedure for the day. First, the High Priest would offer a sacrifice for His sins. Then he would offer a sacrifice for the nation’s sins. And finally, he would offer a sacrifice that cleansed the Temple of the people’s sins.

Jesus Became our Atonement

Paul explained this concept in his letter to the Romans, and I can’t explain it any better. Romans 3: 20 because no one can be made right with God by following the law. The law only shows us our sin.

21 But God has a way to make people right, and it has nothing to do with the law. He has now shown us that new way, which the law and the prophets told us about. 22 God makes people right through their faith in Jesus Christ. He does this for all who believe in Christ. Everyone is the same. 23 All have sinned and are not good enough to share God’s divine greatness. 24 They are made right with God by his grace. This is a free gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ. 

25-26 God gave Jesus as a way to forgive people’s sins through their faith in him. God can forgive them because the blood sacrifice of Jesus pays for their sins. God gave Jesus to show that he always does what is right and fair. He was right in the past when he was patient and did not punish people for their sins. And in our own time he still does what is right. God worked all this out in a way that allows him to judge people fairly and still make right any person who has faith in Jesus.[4]

What is atonement? Listen here to find out more:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festivals-of-trumpets-day-of-atonement


[1] The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Holy (p. 69). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[3] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. 

[4] Easy-to-Read Version(ERV)Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International

What are the days of awe? These are the days between the Festival of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement. These two Jewish festivals are the first of three fall Festivals that begin in September and October of our calendar.

Festival of Trumpets Begins Days of Awe

God gives limited instructions for the Festival of Trumpets in Leviticus 23. Leviticus 23: 23 The Lord said to Moses, 24 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. On the first day of the appointed month in early autumn you are to observe a day of complete rest. It will be an official day for holy assembly, a day commemorated with loud blasts of a trumpet. 25 You must do no ordinary work on that day. Instead, you are to present special gifts to the Lord.”[1]

On the first day of the seventh month of the Jewish calendar, which is either September or October, God’s people were to celebrate the Festival of Trumpets. This day is also known as Rosh Hashanah, which is Hebrew for the “head of the year.” This was the first day of a Jewish civil new year. [2]

A blowing of the trumpets announced the days of awe – a time of soul searching and repentance to prepare for the Day of Atonement on the 10th day of the same month. The days of awe were preparation for the most solemn of the Jewish festivals listed in Leviticus 23.

Days of Preparation for Jesus

God sent John the Baptist as a forerunner to Jesus. When Gabriel announced the birth of John to his father, Zechariah, he prophesied what John would do. Luke 1: 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.[3]

Matthew gives us more insight into John the Baptist in his Gospel. Matthew 3:1In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” [4]

In the Old Testament, priests blew trumpets to get the people’s attention so they could prepare their hearts to receive forgiveness during the service of the Day of Atonement. John the Baptist came as a voice in the wilderness, telling the people to repent. Their hearts needed to be changed and prepared for the coming of Jesus and His forgiveness.

To hear more about the days of awe, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festivals-of-trumpets-day-of-atonement


[1,3,4] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. 

[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Holy (p. 109). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

At the end of God’s instructions for the Festival of Weeks or Pentecost, He gives instructions for what we might call “Biblical welfare.” Leviticus 23: 22 “When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. Leave it for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God.[1]

Remembering the Poor Has Positive Consequences

Pentecost marked the end of the wheat harvest. It would have been a time of bounty, and God commanded the Jews to remember the poor. They weren’t to send grain to the poor but allow them to harvest grain in the corners of the field. This allowed the poor to maintain dignity and purpose while still obtaining food.

The book of Ruth tells the story of how this worked. Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi, were widows without means of support. Ruth went out into the fields of Boaz and was able to harvest grain to take home. Thus, Ruth could feed herself and her mother-in-law. As a result of her gleaning, Boaz noticed Ruth and eventually married her. From that marriage came a son, Obed, who would be the grandfather of King David.

Early Christians took Care of the Poor

Roman society had little time for the poor. Christians, on the other hand, saw each person as a child of God with worth and took care of the poor.

Acts 2: 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.[2]

Throughout history, Christians have cared for those on the margins of society. Hospitals and orphanages have been built because of the desire to serve God by serving others. Biblical welfare has brought many to faith in Jesus.

To hear more about Biblical welfare, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-pentecost


[1-2] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

God had told Moses to observe Pentecost from generation to generation. This is an ancient celebration, although most 21st-century Christians think Pentecost is a New Testament celebration.

Leviticus 23: 20 “The priest will lift up the two lambs as a special offering to the Lord, together with the loaves representing the first of your crops. These offerings, which are holy to the Lord, belong to the priests. 21 That same day will be proclaimed an official day for holy assembly, a day on which you do no ordinary work. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation wherever you live.[1]

Repeated Instructions to Celebrate for all Generations

When God gave Moses instructions for the first Passover/Unleavened Bread celebrations, He told the people twice to celebrate for all generations. Exodus 12: 14 “This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time… 17 “Celebrate this Festival of Unleavened Bread, for it will remind you that I brought your forces out of the land of Egypt on this very day. This festival will be a permanent law for you; celebrate this day from generation to generation.[2]

God also gives a similar instruction for the celebration of the Festival of First Fruits. Leviticus 23: 14 Do not eat any bread or roasted grain or fresh kernels on that day until you bring this offering to your God. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation wherever you live.[3]

Pentecost Has Been Celebrated for Generations

Most modern Christians are not familiar with the Jewish Festivals of Leviticus 23. These celebrations have been lost over time, even though God had commanded that they be observed for all generations. Church leaders established the current liturgical calendar at the end of the fourth century. By that time, there was a divide between the Jews and the Christian church. Godly men attempted to honor God through celebrations throughout the year.

We do have some parallels with the Jewish Festivals as we celebrate Jesus’ crucifixion and Resurrection at the same time as the Festivals of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. At least Pentecost is still celebrated from generation to generation. Unfortunately, many modern Christians don’t realize that this celebration was put into place 1400 years before Jesus was born. Knowing the origins of our Pentecost celebration adds to the awe of the plan God had for us from the beginning.

To hear how we are to observe Pentecost from generation to generation, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-pentecost


[1-3]Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.