Definitions | God's Annual Sabbaths | Passover & The Feast of Unleavened Bread
Pentecost | The Feast of Trumpets | The Day of Atonement | The Feast of Tabernacles

God's Annual Sabbaths

INTRODUCTION - God (Elohim) has established annual sabbaths which are to be observed by his people. Each annual Holy Day s a memorial to some great act or deed of God (Elohim), which he worked in behalf of Israel. He uses these memorials to keep alive the memory of his deeds. In observance of these annual sabbaths we magnify the LORD'S (Yahweh's) Word in remembrance of his past, present and future works. The power of salvation is found in obedience to God's (Elohim's) word. For it is better to obey than sacrifice.

The annual sabbaths can best be understood by us if we bear in mind the preeminence of God (Elohim) over man. The things which God (Elohim) does, has no equal. His ways are above our ways, his thoughts are above our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). The things which are impossible with man are possible with God (Elohim). For example, for us to say that the LORD (Yahweh) is above man, is a vast understatement. There is simply nothing available for us to measure God (Elohim) by. Therefore, we must measure him by himself (Isaiah 40:18-31; Hebrews 6: 13-14). "He sitteth upon the circle of the earth and he has no equal." Again, we must take heed to the things which God (Elohim) does and speak. These two statements are foremost in understanding the annual sabbaths. What God (Elohim) does is forever; what he says man must live by. (Psalms 19:9; Eccl. 3:14; Deut. 8:1-3).

Man attempts to perpetuate his brief stay on earth by erecting monuments and memorials to special events in his past trying to live by the things he does and says, rather than what God (Elohim) require of him. Such an attempt was made in the erecting of the tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9). Man desired to make an everlasting name for himself by building a monument to his existence. God (Elohim), as he always will, brought man's efforts to nought. Although man's ways and means are short lived, he still maintains links to his past via his temporary monuments and memorials.
The Annual Sabbaths both memorializes and perpetuates the words and mighty deeds of God (Elohim). They stand as beacons in the lives of His people. Each Feast also signifies and attribute of the LORD (Yahweh). They serve to teach us of past and future relationships we have and will have with God (Elohim).

The Annual Sabbaths are listed and summarized in the 23rd chapter of the book of Leviticus. What follows in this discourse is a recap of the observance of the Holy Feasts of God (Elohim) by the House of God. Observance of the feasts spans a period of seven months beginning with the first month of the year and ending with the seventh month. Thus constituting a week of months, or a sabbath of months (see Leviticus 25:1-8, for an example).

Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread - top

God (Elohim) began the annual sabbaths with the birth of the His nation Israel. He decided that Abib, or Nisan, was the beginning of months (Exodus 12:1-2). One of the most dramatic incidents in the history of mankind began, with an announcement to then whole earth, that the true God (Elohim) of all creation had chosen a nation unto himself (Exodus 5:1-3; 6:1 -8). In the process of delivering his nation, God (Elohim) brought the world's greatest nation to it's knees. And in doing so, he placed fear in the hearts of all nations. This mighty work of deliverance is memorialized and perpetrated in the observance of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
The Almighty both proclaimed and institutionalized these feasts before the incidents, which they commemorate, took place. For example, Exodus 12:14 proclaims Abib 14 as the memorial feast of Passover. However, the actual events took place in Exodus 12:28-30.

God (Elohim) established a seven (7) day period, proclaiming that unleavened bread must be eaten seven days (Exd. 12:15). Included, within these seven days, are both Passover (Abib 14) and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Abib 15). These facts are evident in all additional records of Scripture, and were observed in like manner by Jesus (Yahshua) and his disciples (St. Matt. 26:17; St. Mark 14:12; St. Luke 22:7-8). There exists no proof from the scriptures that this period is an eight (8) day celebration. Some additional texts shows the celebration of the seven (7) days (II Chronicles 30:13-27; Ezekiel 45:21-25).

In conclusion, Leviticus 23:4-8, recaps the seven (7) days of unleavened bread and includes within it (Lev. 23:6), the feast of unleavened bread. The origin and law of observance, which establishes the seven day period is found in Exodus, chapter 12, as pointed out above. The same recap of the seven days appear in Numbers 28:21-25, and again in Ezek. 45:21-25. Jesus (Yahshua) and his disciples, were not confused about the period, according to St. Luke 22:7-8, they knew that the Passover Lamb must be killed on the day of unleavened bread which as the first day of the seven day period (Abib 14).

Pentecost - top

The next annual sabbath occurs during the 3rd month of the Hebrew Calendar, which is Sivan. Always remember, that the feasts falls on a fixed date and not a fixed day of the week. Each feast is a memorial to some act or deed of the LORD (Yahweh) in relationship to his people. Each of these mighty deeds occurred on a certain date, with no emphasis being given to any particular day of the week. Passover, for example, always falls on the 14th of Abib regardless of the day of the week. Pentecost, therefore, always fall on the 6th of Sivan which does not always occur on a Sunday. To draw this conclusion, we must follow the directions of the Holy Scripture in numbering the days from Passover to Pentecost.

Pentecost begins seven (7) weeks from the 15th of Abib (Nisan) Any seven calendar days constitute a week However, any seven days does not determine the week, which begins on the 1st day and ends on the seventh day. Therefore, to better understand the Bible's directions of numbering seven sabbaths, we must understand that any period of sevens are considered a sabbath when the Word of God states it. An example is found in Leviticus 25:1-7, where God (Elohim) directs Israel to keep a sabbath for the land. And continuing in verses 8-17, an extended sabbath of years is commanded. Therefore, according to scripture, there is a sabbath of days, weeks, months and years. All of these periods can be called sabbath periods because they constitute seven time sevens. A sabbath of weeks occurs from the 15th of Abib to the 6th of Sivan, which 5 the day of firstfruits.

Upon their arrival in the new land, Israel was ordered by God (Elohim) to wave a sheaf of the firstfruits of their harvest on the morrow after the sabbath (Leviticus 23:9-11). Which sabbath? The sabbath of Abib the 14th. Therefore, Israel waved the sheaf of firstfruit on the 15th of Abib. They were ordered to began counting the days from the date of the 15th and number seven sabbaths, not seven 7th day sabbaths, but seven weeks of sabbath. Conclusive proof of this can be found in Joshua 5:10-12.

The children of Israel kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. They ate of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the Passover (they ate the old corn on the 15th of Abib, which is the morrow after the Passover Joshua 5:11). God (Elohim) had commanded them not to eat bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day they offered the sheaf of wave offering (Leviticus 23:14). To begin numbering the days for Pentecost, they were commanded to begin the count from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day (not several days later, and start counting from the seventh day sabbath) they brought the sheaf of wave offering (Leviticus 23:15). Therefore, the sabbaths in question were not the seven day sabbath but the feast sabbaths as seen in Joshua 5:10-12. The manna ceased on the 16th of Abib, the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land (Joshua 5:12).

We can clearly see that the count for Pentecost begins from the 15th of Abib. Seven weeks must be complete: "begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou begin nest to put the sickle to the corn." (Deuteronomy 16:9). Israel did not harvest the corn of the new land until the manna ceased, and the manna ceased on Abib the 16th (Joshua 5:12). If we began counting from the 15th of Abib until the 6th of Sivan, we will always complete 50 days (seven weeks plus one day). Each year the feast falls on a fixed date, Sivan 6th.

We are commanded to observe this feast of firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9-11). For God (Elohim) has ordained his feasts as statutes forever (Leviticus 23:1-3). God (Elohim) fulfilled his word to Abraham and his seed by given them the land of promise. The memorial of entering the land of Canaan, is celebrated in the feast of firstfruits in the offering of the firstfruit of the land to God (Elohim). The Holy Ghost, which was the firstfruit of the Spirit, was given on the day of this great Feast. The Holy Ghost fell on the 120 in the upper room, on the 6th Of Sivan, the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).

The Feast of Trumpets  - top

The first day of the seventh month (Tishri) is ordained by God (Elohim) as one of his Holy Feast Days (Lev. 23:23-25). The month of Tishri completes the week of months, as the annual sabbaths begin in the lst month and end in the 7th. This memorial of trumpets is a continual reminder to us to watch for the second coming of our Lord (Yahshua). The sounding of the Shofar, lifts the hearts of God's (Elohim's) people together in singing and praises to Him. Trumpets marks the new moon of the seventh month, during which month, our hearts are to be both humbled and made glad. Being the seventh month, Tishri is the month of completion. Let the glory of God (Elohim) fill his house on this day (II Chronicles 5:1-14).

The Day of Atonement - top

The day of atonement falls on the 10th day of Tishri. It is the solemn fast day unto the LORD (Yahweh). This is the fast he has chosen. Fasting separates us from our natural needs of sustenance, and focuses our attention on the spiritual sufficiency of God (Elohim). We humble ourselves before him and find that his grace is indeed sufficient. We are commanded to do no manner of work in this day (Leviticus 23:26-32). The fast God (Elohim) has chosen, with it's blessings built in, is described in the 58th chapter of Isaiah.

The Feast of Tabernacles - top

The feast of harvest, also called the feast of tabernacles, begins on Tishri 15 and ends on the 22nd. This feast memorializes the wandering of the children of Israel in the wilderness for forty years. We are commanded to dwell in booths for seven days, and keep a sabbath of rest on the eighth day. Although they lived in tabernacles, God (Elohim) yet provided for them. Now that we are in our comfortable homes, the booths reminds us of what God (Elohim) did for his people (Leviticus 23:33-44). We look with hope, to that day when the Lord (Yahshua) shall come and reap the harvest of the earth. The feast of tabernacles is a time of great joy (Deuteronomy 16:13-15). Booths are erected at both our homes and the House of God. We can rejoice and share with others the bounty God (Elohim) has provided us. (Nehemiah 8:9-18).

Definitions - top

These definitions are taken from both Hebrew and Greek dictionaries. Words are in biblical context.)

1. CONVOCATION - Something called out (i.e. a public meeting).
2. SABBATH - An intermission. To repose (desist from exertion).
3. FEASTS - An appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; an annual festival.
4. STATUTE - An enactment, hence an appointment.
5. SERVILE - Work of any kind: act, bondage, effect, labour, ministering, office, service, tillage, use.
6. MEMORIAL -To mark to remember, a memento (a memorable thing, day or writing).
7. HOLY - A sacred place or thing; dedicated or hallowed.
8. ATONEMENT - Expiation, to cover.
9. BOOTHS - A hut, tent, tabernacle.
10. PASSOVER - A pretermission (an exemption).
11. PENTECOST - Fiftieth.