1. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2. 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. (KJV)
1. The LORD spoke to Moses: 2. Speak to the Israelites and tell them, These are the LORD’s appointed times which you must proclaim as holy assemblies—my appointed times. (NET)
These are My Feasts or My Appointed-Times, this is what YHWH expressly declared to Moses and to the people of Israel concerning His Appointed-Times. (Leviticus 23:1-2, the above opening verses). It is obvious that Jacob's descendants (Israel) were chosen by YHWH. Through this calling they were liberated from their slavery in Egypt, received many blessings and benefits from YHWH, including the Appointed-Times (Feast Days). In many ways, the Appointed-Times marked Israel as YHWH's special possession. Israel was blessed to be part of YHWH's ordained order, yet their disobedience to the words of the covenant often wreaked much havoc throughout their history of being the 'chosen'.
There are a few verses in the Bible where the Appointed-Times are referred to as; a feast of the Jews' or 'the Jewish Feast', as in John 6:4; Now the Jewish Feast of the Passover was near. In another verse YHWH even denounces the Appointed-Times, referring to them as your festivals, that is, as Israel's festivals. This is recorded in Amos 5:21, I absolutely despise your festivals! I get no pleasure from your religious assemblies. Of course, YHWH didn't despise His ordained festivals (Appointed-Times). Rather, He was rebuking Israel for their dishonor and irreverent abuse of His sacred appointments. This verse, falling in the context of Amos chapter five, is referring to the judgment that was ready to befall Israel, 20. Don’t you realize the Lord’s day of judgment will bring darkness, not light—gloomy blackness, not bright light? (Amos 5:20).
Since Israel was called by YHWH, there is a strong inclination to say the Appointed-Times are distinct to the Jewish culture and nation. Yet, unaware to the people of Israel, YHWH had superior plans for His Appointed-Times. Apostle Paul touches on this in Colossians chapter two. (Read the entire chapter to understand the context). Generally speaking, Paul was contrasting human traditions with the substance of Messiah, as stated in verse eight.
8. Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
In verses 16 and 17, Paul is actually speaking in favor of YHWH's Appointed-Times because they are not according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, rather, they are according to Christ.
16. Therefore do not let anyone judge you with respect to food or drink, or in the matter of a feast, new moon, or Sabbath days—
17. these are only the shadow of the things to come, but the reality is Christ!
It would be safe to say, that when YHWH delivered His Appointed-Times to Israel, He had already embedded the revelation of Messiah in the symbols and the timing of the Appointed-Times. As the prophetic message of Messiah is revealed in each of the eight Appointed-Times, what happens to the shadow? In other words, when that which is to come, has come, does that which has come, then go away? Of course not, that would be spiritually impossible! It is the structure (the elements) of the Mosaic Covenant, which are the shadow, that must yield to the Light that is now being demonstrated in and through the Messianic Covenant. The old elements of the Mosaic Covenant are renewed by taking on their prophetic form. This is realized by the actions and legal validation of Messiah's sacrifice to bring the ultimate promise of redemption to Humanity. It must be understood that this is the authentic purpose of the Appointed-Times. Therefore, the substance cannot go away after it has come because it is being enacted daily and is the result of an ongoing relationship of being In-Covenant with YHWH. The Appointed-Times, being integrated in the very elements of Creation, are now acknowledged as a memorial or a commemoration of the specific date that honors and reveres the advent concerning the revelation that each Appointed-Time was ordained to (eventually) reveal . . . that which was to come, that has already come, and is now being realized in Messiah, these are the authentic Appointed-Times or Divine-Appointments of YHWH.
In light of Messiah being the actual substance, is it not appropriate to ask if the Appointed-Times are actually of Jewish origin . . . or, does Israel serve more accurately as a steppingstone to the better things to come?
Chapters ten and eleven of Genesis describe how YHWH set the land boundaries of Noah's offspring and how they spread over the earth after the Great Flood (Genesis 7). Through the genealogy of Noah's son, Shem, YHWH eventually called Abram (Abraham - the tenth generation from Shem) to separate himself from his kinfolk and his country. Through Abram's obedience and faith to his calling, YHWH held out the promise to make Abram a great nation through his descendants with the ultimate purpose to bless all the Nations through Abram's blessings.
Genesis 12:1-3, 7
1. Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go out from your country, your relatives, and your father’s household to the land that I will show you.
2. Then I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great, so that you will exemplify divine blessing.
3. I will bless those who bless you, but the one who treats you lightly I must curse, so that all the families of the earth may receive blessing through you.”
7. The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So, Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
Deuteronomy 32:8-10
8. When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided up humankind, he set the boundaries of the peoples, according to the number of the heavenly assembly.
9. For the Lord’s allotment is his people, Jacob is his special possession.
10. The Lord found him in a desolate land, in an empty wasteland where animals howl. He continually guarded him and taught him; he continually protected him like the pupil (apple) of his eye.
When considering all the nations of the Earth, YHWH chose Jacob (Israel) to be His special possession. As the nation of Israel matured, they began to manifest the divine blessings that Abram's descendants were called to exemplify to the nations. It is important to remember that the blessings and the benefits Israel received through the inheritance of Abram (Abraham), was a direct result of YHWH’s integrity to uphold His promise with Abram.
Deuteronomy 9:5
5. It is not because of your righteousness, or even your inner uprightness, that you have come here to possess their land. Instead, because of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God is driving them out ahead of you in order to confirm the promise he made on oath to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Israel’s relationship with YHWH is by promise. Therefore, the blessings of Abraham, including the Appointed-Times, are theirs by association, that is, by adoption as sons. The principle of adoption is confirmed by Apostle Paul.
Romans 9:3-5
3. For I could wish that I myself were accursed—cut off from Christ—for the sake of my people, my fellow countrymen,
4. who are Israelites. To them belong the ADOPTION As SONS (emphasis added), the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.
5. To them belong the patriarchs, and from them, by human descent, came the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever! Amen.
What a remarkable heritage. Israel received a high calling, a very high-calling, that clearly made them distinct (set-apart) from the other families and nations of the world. Along with this calling, though, came the enormous responsibility of fulfilling their mission. So, who is Israel that they would become the apple of His eye . . . called by Promise, confirmed by adoption . . . how would they fulfill their calling?
When Israel was adopted as a nation they also entered into a covenant-relationship with YHWH.
(Exodus 34:27-28)
27. The LORD said to Moses, “Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.”
28. So he was there with the LORD 40 days and 40 nights; he did not eat bread, and he did not drink water. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten (Words) Commandments.
For Israel to partake of YHWH’s blessings, it was clearly contingent upon their response to the Words-of-the-Covenant. In Deuteronomy 28:1-14, the blessings through obedience commence with these words of encouragement:
1. “If you indeed obey the LORD your God and are careful to observe all his commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will elevate you above all the nations of the earth.
2. All these blessings will come to you in abundance if you obey the LORD your God.
On the other hand, in Deuteronomy 28:15-68, the curses of disobedience (a much longer list than the blessings) start with these words of warning:
15. But if you ignore the LORD your God and are not careful to keep all his commandments and statutes I am giving you today, then all these curses will come upon you in full force.
Although Israel would often breach their agreement with YHWH, He without fail would honor the words of the covenant(s). YHWH's covenant-relationship with Israel and their development as a nation were pivotal to YHWH's Promise to Abraham: so that all the families of the earth may receive blessing through you.
Israel was destined to receive the blessings that were insured to them by the Promises YHWH made with Abraham. When considering their inherent relationship with YHWH, it seems reasonable to refer to the Appointed-Times as Israel’s feasts. The Promises, along with Israel's association by adoption, seem to confirm this thought. Remember though, the blessings were contingent upon their obedience to the Words-of-the-Covenant, as mentioned in the previous section in reference to Deuteronomy 28.
The biblical history of Israel and Judah, as a whole, is riddled with repetitious acts of contempt and disobedience concerning their covenant agreement with YHWH. The collective disobedience of Israel brings them in lockstep with both the rebellion and the consequences of Adam and Eve's demise. Despite Israel's disobedience, it is obvious that their covenant relationship with YHWH played a significant role in the development of YHWH's purpose and will for Humanity. Even so, the covenant-relationship that was established through Moses does not, and legally cannot, give them innate access to the greater promises expressed in the New (Better) Covenant. As a matter of fact, their disobedience enacts the curses that deny them access.
There is a much bigger picture to behold concerning Israel's redemptive role in light of YHWH's will for Humanity. Apostle Paul makes this clear in his letters to the Romans and the Galatians.
Romans 7:12-14
12. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.
13. Did that which is good, then, become death to me? Absolutely not! But sin, so that it would be shown to be sin, produced death in me through what is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.
14. For we know that the law is spiritual—but I am unspiritual, sold into slavery to sin.
Clearly, Torah (the law) is holy, it is also spiritual. The commandment is holy, righteous and good. The question is, has that which is good (Torah and the commandment) become death to me, to us? The answer is an emphatic, absolutely not!
The Creator of the universe has implanted within us instinctive behaviors that are attentive to the self-preservation of our very existence, . . . but I am unspiritual. Therefore, we lack the spiritual fortitude to walk upright if we depend solely on our own human capabilities, understanding and feelings. Without YHWH's holy guidance, as exemplified in Torah, and without His spiritual influence, it is impossible for our spiritual-being to mature properly. Just as the human body will eventually begin to wither without food and water, so will our spiritual-being, our mind and our conscience, begin to wither without YHWH's nurturing influence in our life. The longer the ignorance is practiced, the more dispassionate and indifferent we become to YHWH's guiding Word. The complacency, our own smugness, becomes the very path that guarantees we will be sold into slavery to sin. --- "Oh slave, who has forged your chains? I have! I have forged them very carefully."
This spiritual sleep-walk leaves us frighteningly vulnerable, just as Adam and Eve were after their fall. Instead of preserving our spiritual well-being, our will now has a stronger inclination to lean into the preferences, the pleasures and the appetites of our fleshly desires. Our pursuit in life becomes more self-centered, rather than being YHWH-centered, diminishing, or even eliminating, our trust in YHWH's righteous guidance. No amount of mental sophistry or good works can whitewash the thoughts and deeds of disobedience from the discerning eye of YHWH. The continual practice of disobedience imprints mental and physical patterns in our way of thinking that cause deep spiritual ruts that etch our soul with chaos and unholiness. At this point our choices are clearly shown to be sin, and the commandment makes it all the more obvious and utterly sinful. Due to the pervasive sin-nature of our flesh, the righteous arm of Justice (the principles of YHWH's righteousness that are proclaimed in Torah) must declare judgment upon the whole of Humanity. This judgment exposes a law that is burdened with dire consequences, the horrifying realization that sin has produced death in me through what is good.
Only the mercy of YHWH can deliver us from such bondage.
Romans 8:1-4
1. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
2. For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.
3. For God achieved what the law could not do because it was weakened through the flesh. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
4. so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
. . . what the law could not do because it was weakened through the flesh . . .
YHWH's righteousness is immutable, His promises (purpose) are irrevocable. Torah reflects the righteousness of YHWH, it enumerates His promises and it gives honor to His holiness. It is the means by which YHWH has expressed His righteousness to Israel in harmony with His covenant promises to Abraham, whose blessings are ultimately designated for the whole of Humanity. Obedience to Torah yields earthly benefits, produces spiritual richness, ensures the blessings of obedience and instructs upright behavior. Even so, Torah, it was weakened through the flesh.
. . . continuing with Romans 8:1-4 . . .
For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Yes, Torah is a reflection of, it is a testimony to, it is a guide for, and it proclaims the righteousness of YHWH . . . even so, it is not the origin, nor the Source of the law of the life-giving Spirit revealed in Christ Jesus. It is not able to impart, or to infuse, the actual substance and Source of righteousness upon the fallen, sin-nature that is intertwined throughout the human heart. This spiritual dilemma has imposed the law of sin and death upon the descendants of Adam, thereby weakening Torah's impact on the human race. Therefore, by default, Torah must yield and point to the Better Promise . . .
So, how has YHWH provided remedy for this dilemma?
. . . continuing with Romans 8:1-4 . . .
For God achieved this by sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, . . .
In reference to Miriam's (Mary's) conception, there is no physical procreation involved, Instead, the Spirit of YHWH over-shadowed Miriam in order to pour Himself (impart His essence) into her womb, absent of any sexual intercourse; this would be similar to Elohim brooding over the surface of the water in Genesis 1:2. This miraculous event caused Yahoshua to be born in the likeness of sinful flesh, that is, He came through the natural gestation and birthing process of a woman (Miriam). Yet, Yahoshua's 'Seed' is pure, because His Father is not of human (Adam) descent. This renders the curse of Adam null and void over Yahoshua's natural birth and physical-being. Through Yahoshua's submission to the Father, He overcame all temptations, adhered to the Father's voice, and obeyed the righteous requirements of Torah. His sinless life gave Him the legal authority to bear the Cross for the whole of Humanity.
Galatians 4:4-5
4. But when the appropriate time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5. to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights.
Adam was placed in a 'perfect' world, yet he failed his calling. Israel was given the 'perfect' guide (Torah), yet they failed their calling. Yahoshua was sent into a world that was riddled with sin because of Adam's disobedience and burdened with judgment because of Torah's justice. In order to address this dilemma, it was necessary for Yahoshua to be born of a woman, born under the law. These two factors gave Him access to the Cross and His sinless life validated His sacrifice. This made our adoption as sons legal and redeemed us from the law of sin and death. This also gives us access to the commonwealth of Israel, with full rights. This access unveils the authentic, mature Israel that was promised to Abraham in Genesis 12:3. . . so that all the families of the earth may receive blessing through you (Abram).
. . . continuing with Romans 8:1-4 . . .
. . . and concerning sin, He condemned sin in the flesh.
Remember, sin produced death in me through what is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful. So, sin in the flesh is made all the more sinful (obvious) through the commandment. So, concerning sin, Yahoshua had to condemn sin in the flesh. Yahoshua was born of a woman. Through His human capacity, He was able to rightfully represent Humanity on the Cross. Yahoshua was also born under the law. Through His sinless life and impeccable adherence to Torah He was able to legally represent the whole of humanity on the Cross. This gives Him the authority to bear the penalty, the weight, of the law that is required for Humanity's sin. By satisfying the force (the legal momentum) of justice, He condemned sin in the flesh, and extinguished sin's authority over Humanity.
Galatians 3:21
21. Is the law therefore opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.
Paul, anticipating the question(s) that would bombard him, is the law therefore opposed to the promises of God? Again, Paul responds with another emphatic, absolutely not! He wanted to make it clear, if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. This makes it clear that Torah is not able to give life, because it was weakened through the flesh. It is important to acknowledge that Paul never speaks in a negative tone concerning the righteousness (content) of Torah. Rather, he is addressing the implementation (the format) in which humans receive the righteousness of Torah.
Romans 3:31
31. Do we then nullify the law through faith? Absolutely not! Instead, we uphold the law.
Here is another question that Paul anticipated, do we then nullify the law through faith? Another emphatic response from Paul, absolutely not! Instead, we uphold the law. If we don't nullify Torah, if we don't abolish Torah, then how do we uphold Torah, yet escape the judgment of Torah? By walking in the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus.
. . . continuing with Romans 8:1-4 . . .
so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
The only way to uphold and fulfill Torah is to walk according to the Spirit, that is, in the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus. Observing Torah is definitely not one and the same as walking in the Spirit. When we walk according to the Spirit, the righteous requirement of the law is fulfilled in us. Another way that we uphold Torah is when we realize that the Torah, under the Mosaic covenant, served as a type and shadow of the better things to come. Torah was obviously a righteous guide for Israel, and pre-shadowed the Holy Spirit as being our righteous Guide under the New Covenant.
. . . continuing with Romans 8:1-4 . . .
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Why is this true? When we walk according to the Spirit, the righteous requirement of the law is fulfilled in us. In no way does that imply that we minimize the righteousness of Torah. Instead, we complete, fulfill and realize the greater prophetic aspect of Torah by living in the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus. Also, He condemned sin in the flesh, and extinguished sin's authority over us, that is, only if we walk according to the righteous standard of the Spirit.
Romans 4:13-16
13. For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not fulfilled through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.
14. For if they become heirs by the law, faith is empty and the promise is nullified.
15. For the law brings wrath, because where there is no law there is no transgression either.
16. For this reason it is by faith so that it may be by grace, with the result that the promise may be certain to all the descendants—not only to those who are under the law, but also to those who have the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.
In verses 13 and 14 apostle Paul makes it really clear that the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not fulfilled through the law. For if they become heirs by the law, faith is empty and the promise is nullified. This principle is true regarding the subjects that are being addressed in this entire section. For the law brings wrath. This doesn't mean that YHWH's righteousness has become unrighteous, nor does it imply that its righteous qualities have been negated. That would be foolish. Torah cannot properly address the weakness of the flesh, it doesn't ensure the Promises, it cannot liberate us from the law of sin and death, and it doesn't provide redemption. Yet redemption through Messiah brings us into an entirely different dimension of judgment, meaning that He has taken on our judgment through the Cross and He condemned sin in the flesh. So, where there is no law, meaning where the legal force of the law has been satisfied, then there is no transgression, no retribution to be exercised, either. Remember this is only true if we walk according to the Spirit, and by doing so fulfill the righteous requirements of the law. For this reason it is by faith so that it may be by grace, with the result that the promise may be certain to all the descendants—not only to those who are under the law, but also to those who have the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. Again, this goes back to Genesis 12:3. . . so that all the families of the earth may receive blessing through you (Abram).
Galatians 3:29
29. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.
This declares who the true descendants of Abraham actually are. Conversely, even if your physical lineage comes through Abraham, if you don't belong to Messiah then you are not Abraham's descendants and you are not heirs according to the promise.
The following verses serve as an example that applies to or parallels, to some degree, many of the events, characters, practices and theological themes recorded in Scripture.
1 Corinthians 15:45-47
45. So also, it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living person”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
46. However, the spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and then the spiritual.
47.The first man is from the earth, made of dust; the second man is from heaven.
In the example of the first and (second) last Adam, as quoted in the verses above, Apostle Paul states the spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and then the spiritual. Much of the physical creation, with its wide range of marvels, to some degree, often conceals and, or reveals the invisible attributes and the spiritual essence (purpose) of our Creator. YHWH is a Creator of intent and resolution (determination). He often sets His plans into motion in the natural (earthly) plane first, in order to exemplify and herald His spiritual realizations (goals) to Humanity. From the human perspective, this 'revelation' is usually realized after the fact. The earthly-natural witness then serves to 'legally' validate (authenticate) His original purpose and intent as it unfolds in its prophetic context.
The physical lineage of Abraham (Israel as a whole), the covenant established through Moses, Torah (the Law), the Temple and the priesthood are all integral components to YHWH's method of resolution. As the bigger picture comes into view, it is inevitable that the earthly elements of the Old Covenant, including the Appointed-Times, must give way to the New Covenant, that is, the Better Covenant. To state the obvious then, the Old Covenant structure (format) and the earthly expression of the Appointed-Times that physical Israel received and observed are representations of YHWH's original plan, they are not the authentic design (substance). Israel's earthly heritage through Abraham is included in this principle, remember, first comes the natural, then the spiritual. Therefore, being copies or patterns of the original, they serve to point us to Messiah. In Messiah, we witness the authority of His crucifixion and resurrection that provide the spiritual infusion (substance) that validates and animates His full purpose and will for the creation of Time-Space-Matter. It is only through Yahoshua's authority that each aspect of the Old Covenant structure (design, example, type, shadow, etc.) are adorned in their proper glory in order to bring reconciliation to Humanity.
We cannot walk-out Grace with a Torah mindset. Instead, we must walk-out the righteous principles of the Spirit, as exemplified by Torah, with a born-again mind(set).
The Promises that have been stated through Israel's heritage are highlighted in the Appointed-Times. Although physical Israel has played a significant role in their development, physical Israel has no authority or ownership concerning the Appointed-Times prophetic function and purpose. Obviously, YHWH has designed and implemented the Appointed-Times, therefore, they are His unique conception. The crucifixion and resurrection of Yahoshua are pivotal in providing access to these promises, for both Israel and the Gentile world. Yet, Jew and Gentile alike must be regenerated, everyone must be reborn in order to come into the heritage of Yahoshua's Seed, Abraham's inheritance by Faith.
So, the Feasts are not of Jewish Origin!
When the Appointed-Times are finally clothed in their Gospel attire . . . that is, when the crucifixion of Yahoshua initiated the sequence of events whereby each Appointed-Time, according to their ordained order, would be transformed into their prophetic role . . . with the purpose and succession of each Appointed-Time having been pre-ordained and carefully designed during the creation of Time-Space-Matter . . . so that the blessings of YHWH's covenant promises would amass throughout the ages in order to equip the Appointed-Times with their appropriate divine components . . . so that YHWH's redemption for Humanity would be fulfilled . . . wherein the entirety of pre-messianic history would culminate . . . and be set into motion by the climatic advent of Yahoshua's crucifixion . . . it is in this environment, when the Appointed-Times are adorned in their Gospel attire, that we can truly appreciate the significance of YHWH's Appointed-Times.
When considering the bigger picture. . . that YHWH has carefully orchestrated the Appointed-Times to play a role (have significance) in both the old and new covenants, the old even pointing to the new . . . then it wouldn't be presumptuous to say . . . from the perspective of the Great-Designer, that is, coming from the divine perspective of the great I AM . . . These Are My feasts!
My Divine-Appointments are loaded with promises, so if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:29).
SHALOM !
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LAST EDIT: 14:14 / 20 February 2025
ORIGINAL POST: 15 April 2021