Leviticus 20 – 27

Yahweh Himself tells us the meaning in the Law given to the Hebrew people through Moses, saying to them in Leviticus 22:31-33,

“So you shall keep my commandments and do them: I am the LORD. And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the LORD who sanctifies you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the LORD.”

Whether under the Mosaic covenant, or under the new covenant of Christ, there is a principle that God wants us to understand clearly. As we set Him apart (sanctify) in our lives, He will set us apart (sanctify) to Himself. If we desire to be His people, then we should be His people. Seek to understand His expectations – He is not trying to confuse us – and then display your trust in the God who cannot lie and is bound by His word by simply walking in His ways. Sounds easy? We all know better. It may be simple, but it’s not easy. That’s why we need Jesus.

For the Hebrew people, Yahweh set apart days and festivals to help the people set Him apart in their lives. Each one had a purpose and meaning to impart to the Hebrews. Likewise, each one points to Jesus and His church.

The Sabbath – each week, the seventh day is to be set aside as a day of rest. The creative work of Jesus, the Word of God, was accomplished in 6 days and Elohim rested on the seventh. The re-creative work of Jesus was accomplished on the first day of the week – a Sunday – when He rose from death and gained the victory. The first day of the week is now set apart for the church.

Passover – commemorating the night when Yahweh spared the life of the obedient ones who covered their doorways with the blood of an unspotted lamb, the Passover was an opportunity to remember God’s grace and in conjunction with the Feast of the Unleavened Bread to remember the need for removal of sin (“leaven”). Likewise, Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God covers the obedient ones with His blood, having given His body, the Bread of Life without sin (“leaven”) for us. Jesus died on Passover.

Pentecost – the Feast of Weeks gets its name from the command to count 7 weeks (a “week” of weeks) plus a day (thus, 50 days) from Passover. It is a celebration of the Firstfruits of the harvest, a blessing from God. In Acts 2, we learn the “firstfruits” of the church came on Pentecost in Jerusalem.

Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement was the one day of the year when the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, delivering the blood of sacrifice into the Presence of God to atone for the sins of the people. In Hebrews 9-10 we learn that this pointed to the redemptive work of our High Priest, Jesus who not only was the once-for-all sacrifice, but also the One who delivered His own blood to atone for sin.

Tabernacles (booths) – a reminder of God’s protection, the Hebrews would celebrate the ingathering of the harvest by dwelling in booths made of tree branches. The faithful provision of all they needed for life is fulfilled in Jesus the Living Water, Bread of Life, and the way, Truth and Life. We need nothing else for spiritual life.

Rosh Hashanah – the Feast of Trumpets (made of ram’s horns) marked the ten days before Atonement with celebration, rest and offerings. Honoring the redemptive work of God in this way reminds us that the heavy price that Jesus paid to redeem us is cause for celebration and joy in our salvation.

Whether in a festival, a special day, a commandment or a prohibition we find Yahweh calling the wondering sheep back to Himself. He is revealing Himself in each facet of the Law before ultimately revealing all in Christ Jesus.

The lives of faithful Hebrews sanctified Yahweh before all other nations. The Word of the faithful Elohim sanctified the Hebrews people before all other people. In the end, all righteousness is from God alone. It is not in the perfect keeping of rules that people are saved, it is in the humbling of a mortal before Yahweh Elohim Shaddai and calling upon Him to keep His Word and forgive sin. In this wonderful thing, God always proves Himself faithful.

Consider His nature. Consider His ways. Strive to love Him more!