BaptistWay Bible Series for March 27: It is important to follow God’s timetable_32105

Posted: 3/15/05

BaptistWay Bible Series for March 27

It is important to follow God's timetable

Leviticus 23:1-38

By Wayne Smith

First Baptist Church, Lamesa

Last week's lesson was taken from Leviticus 19, a portion of the holiness code (Leviticus 17-26) which taught the Israelites to separate themselves from the pagan practices of their neighbors. Following the holiness code developed interpersonal relationships which kept the Israelites from being contaminated by association with these cultures.

This week's lesson will study Leviticus 23 to see how holiness is enhanced by participation in Sabbaths and festivals to honor God and thank him for his blessings. This chapter further defines the holiness code by listing a timetable of festivals the Israelites were to observe. These events–celebrated at orderly intervals–structured the development of a sense of holiness. The festivals, which honored God, were unique to the Israelites and further set them apart as his people.

The Sabbath (vv. 1-3)

The Sabbath was instituted to commemorate God's resting on the seventh day from the labor of creating the world. The Sabbath also commemorated Israel's freedom from slavery to worship God since they were not allowed to observe it in Egypt. The Sabbath was observed every seventh day.

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Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits (vv. 4-14)

These three festivals were observed in the first month of the Hebrew year. The Passover ritual began with eating the Passover lamb after sundown on the 14th day of the month. Passover commemorated the delivery of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage by protecting them from the last plague, death of the first-born.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread began the day after Passover. The Hebrew method of measuring time by beginning the next day at sundown made this meal actually occur on the 15th day of the month. This was the day on which the Feast of Unleavened Bread began. Unleavened bread was served at the Passover meal and was eaten during the next seven days. The Feast of Unleavened Bread commemorated the delivery of the Israelites from Egypt when they fled without taking time to allow the bread to rise.

The Feast of First Fruits offered a sheaf of newly harvested grain (barley) to the Lord on the day following the Sabbath of the week of Unleavened Bread. This festival was to be observed after the Israelites occupied Canaan and began farming. Later, it was changed to become a part of the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), marking the end of wheat harvest.

Weeks (vv. 15-22)

The Feast of Weeks, held 50 days after Passover, sometimes is referred to by its Greek name–Pentecost (50). This was a harvest celebration, marking the end of the grain harvest. It also was called “first fruits” because people were to bring offerings of first portions of harvested crops. The festival gave thanks to God for his blessings of rain and fertility of crops.

Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Booths (vv. 23-37)

These three festivals took place during the seventh month and marked the beginning of the second half of the year.

The Feast of Trumpets began with a blast from a trumpet or the ram's horn. It was a reminder of God's care and protection. It also commemorated the first day of creation.

The Day of Atonement was the annual event in which the high priest entered the Holy of Holies and reconciled the nation of Israel to God for sins committed during the past year. A full treatment of this festival is included in Lesson 2 (March 13).

The Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) lasted eight days and was a time of sacred assemblies. It came at the end of grape season and at the end of the dry season. During the week, people lived in booths to remind them of the 40 years their ancestors lived in tents in the wilderness.

Additional requirements (vv. 37-38)

The appointed feasts were proclaimed as sacred assemblies for bringing offerings made to the Lord by fire. These offerings were in addition to gifts and freewill offerings made at the weekly Sabbath and on days other than the festivals.

After God led the Israelites out of Egypt and into the desert, he provided resources to sustain them both physically and spiritually. While they were wandering nomads, they used animals from the flocks and herds to honor God through sacrifices. Later, when they took up farming after entering Canaan, they also used cultivated crops as offerings. The festivals and Sabbaths strengthened the relationship with God by structuring time for physical rest and renewal and for reconciliation with God through obedience to his requirements.

Application

We often use the terms “spending time” and “saving time” as if time were a commodity to be bought and sold. We even utilize the phrase “time is money” on occasion. But we cannot accumulate time and place it in a vault. Time is a gift from God, and it is consumed as it is granted.

We can plan for the future, but we can only utilize time in the present tense. No matter how much we look ahead or regret the past, we can only relate to God now. We build a relationship with God by ordering our time to recognize him. We make good use of our time only if we seek his will and allow him to make us holy–set apart for his purpose. God enhances our lives through relation to him and to our fellow human beings.

Discussion question

How do we structure our time to allow God to make us holy?