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 …
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, …
Three times a year, Jerusalem filled with people as they came to celebrate the three main festivals. These were Passover/Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and the Festival of Shelters (fall Festival). God had commanded that His people meet at the Temple to celebrate these festivals. Deuteronomy 16: 16 “Each year every man in Israel must celebrate these three …
Pentecost symbolized a new beginning for God’s people as they left Egypt. They had moved to Egypt as families of the twelve sons of Jacob. They lived in Egypt for 430 years, most of it in slavery. As slaves, their overseers had always told them what to do. Then God came and worked through Moses …
We see a surprising and an unusual offering requirement in the Festival of Weeks. God asks for two loaves made of the flour from the new crop of wheat and made with yeast. In addition to these loaves, He also requires multiple burnt offerings, a sin offering, and a peace offering. Leviticus 23:17 From wherever you …
About fifty days after leaving Egypt, God’s people had a Mount Sinai experience. God had appeared to Moses in a burning bush on Mount Sinai as Moses was shepherding sheep. God called Moses to return to Egypt and would use him to free the Hebrew people from the Egyptians. After a short debate, God gave …
The fourth holy day of Leviticus 23 is known as the Festival of Weeks, Shavuot, or Pentecost. Why so many confusing names? It depends on the language. The English translation would be the Festival of Weeks, while the Hebrew word for weeks is Shavuot. Later, this holiday was known as Pentecost in Greek. This was …
The water libation tradition had developed during the Feast of Tabernacles. This fall Feast celebrated God’s presence and provision with His people in the Exodus. It was a pilgrimage festival, which meant, if possible, a devout Jew would travel to Jerusalem and the Temple to celebrate the Feast. Jesus was a controversial figure; some saw …
From the story of Simeon and Jesus, we can see that the Spirit guides us to praise. Luke 2: 25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had …
Our salvation and God’s word in the battle are essential if we are to survive the invisible war being waged against us by our enemy. Ephesians 6:17Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [1] The helmet kept the soldier’s head safe and was …