Leviticus 23:44-24:4
We have been noticing that the seven feasts of the Lord, given to us in our chapter, present a beautiful picture of the ways of God; they all point to Christ, the Man of God’s counsels. A little outline in brief might help us to see this more clearly.
The Passover — Christ is the true Passover, by whose blood we have been sheltered from judgment (1 Corinthians 5:7), and Israel too (Revelation 7:4-14).
Unleavened Bread — Christ was the only sinless One, and now we have Christ as our life, producing holiness in our walk (Colossians 3:4-14). Israel, too, “shall be willing in the day of Thy power, in the beauties of holiness” (Psalm 110:3).
Firstfruits — Christ is the true firstfruits. Now we who are saved are the firstfruits of new creation (James 1:18). Israel, too, will be the firstfruits of earthly blessing in a coming day (Revelation 14:4) — all in and
through Christ.
Pentecost — Christ has now gone up on high and received of the Father the promise of the Spirit, who has now been shed upon us (Acts 2:33). The Spirit will also be poured upon Israel in a coming day (Ezekiel 39:29).
Trumpets — The Lord Himself is coming again for His church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). After this Israel will be gathered back into their land “with a great sound of a trumpet” (Matthew 24:31).
Day of Atonement — The Lord Jesus made atonement for sin at the cross, and we have been reconciled now (Colossians 1:20-22). Later Israel will be brought to repentance through the judgments of the tribulation (Isaiah 4:4).
Tabernacles — After the judgments of the tribulation period, then Christ will set up His kingdom in righteousness and peace (Isaiah 32:1). The church’s blessing is heavenly, and at that time we will reign with Him over the earth (Colossians 1:5). Israel will then be blessed on the earth (Hosea 2:23). The eighth day of this, the last feast, points on to the fullness of times when all will be gathered together in one in Christ, both in heaven and in earth (Ephesians 1:10). This is the fulfillment of all God’s counsels.
For Israel to hold these feasts only as a form, and at the same time remain indifferent to Jehovah’s claims over them, was vain and empty. Ordinances in themselves have no value when the heart is indifferent to Christ. How blessed in this present church period to have learned the secret of the Lord and to see Christ in all these types.
Grace
After outlining figuratively the ways of God with Israel in these feasts, we find in what follows, the grace that maintains them before God, as beloved for the fathers’ sakes (Romans 11:28). The lamp was to be kept burning continually from morning to evening by Aaron the priest, and so we know that now, during “the night” of Israel’s history, they are maintained in the light before God, through Christ’s priesthood, by the power of the Spirit. It will truly be “the morning” for them when they own their guilt in crucifying their Messiah, and then the Spirit will be poured upon them (Ezekiel 39:29). No blessing comes to man, either Israel or the church, on the ground of his own faithfulness, but because God is faithful and He is the Source of all blessing. All glory must be to God, for no flesh can glory in His presence.
For Further Meditation
1. When will “the morning” come for Israel?
2. The Lord’s grace in caring for His people is a huge and profitable study presented from Genesis to Revelation. How does He show His grace to Israel, to Christians today, and to you personally?
3. A very in-depth explanation of each of these feasts can be found for the diligent student in The Feasts of Jehovah: Leviticus 23 by G. C. Willis.