We left off from the last post wondering why we New Testament Christians would want to study the Old Testament feasts. We learned that God set aside certain days and commanded His people to have annual celebrations then. These special days were to commemorate His historical faithfulness as well as to point His people to the unfolding of His plan in the future.
Great stuff but what does that have to do with us, really?
A lot.
One reason is found in Romans 15:4 - For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
The “whatever was written in former days” is referring to the Old Testament. That is the only Scripture the early Christians had! The Gospels and the epistles of the New Testament came later and combined to form what we now have as our two-part Bible. So this verse is telling us to NOT ignore the glory of the Genesis-Malachi part of Scripture but to know that in those 39 books are treasures to encourage us and give us hope.
Another reason we see to study these HOLY-days is found in Hebrews 10:1 where we are told that “the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come”. This verse goes on to say that the Law cannot make us perfect because it does not have the substance of Christ but it lets us know that the Law (including the Old Testament feasts) are a shadow of what follows them. So by studying these sacred celebrations, we can learn about the glories of God’s plan for us.
Which leads into the major reason to study the OT feasts - JESUS. Jesus IS the glory of God’s plan for us. And He Himself tells us that the OT Scriptures proclaim HIM - And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27) The feasts are “the Lord’s” - HIS appointed times, HIS holy convocation - and they are HIS way to teach us about HIS plan for us - Jesus Christ. These OT HOLY-days not only memorialize the historical events of God’s faithfulness to His people, they also are our blueprints for the redemption found in Christ and His plan for His Bride.
Glory Hallelujah this stuff is good!
Next time, I’ll lay out for us the specific days God set aside to be observed as His appointed times and the timeline for celebration. See ya then!