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K
Karraster
Guest
Hey brother JJ, I was reading about those, triangle shaped aren't they? That Hamen guy was one mean dude wasn't he? I don't think I'd even bring myself to eat one.
Reading about what the hanging description was, the wild West version is much kinder. I had no idea.
It is good to remember God's goodness in every respect. Nevertheless, this feast is not one that God commands His children to keep as the three given to Israel through Moses.
PURIM, the Feast of Esther and the Festival Of Lots, is not a God-established, God-ordained Feast / Festival. PURIM is not mentioned in Tanakh, the Hebrew's Holy Scriptures (The Old Testament, in Christian Bibles), and it is not even mentioned in the historical Book of Esther. For, following *Shemini Atzeret in early fall, the next Holy Day on God's calendar is the next Passover six months later, in the following spring, a month after PURIM.
This means that both **Simchat Torah and Hanukkah (Chanukah), along with PURIM, are NOT Biblical holy days, they are not God-established, and they are not God-ordained. PURIM is a later-established celebration to commemorate a feast and subsequent victorious events recorded in The Book of Esther.
Since PURIM could fall on any day of the week, other than when on Saturday (a routine, weekly, Sabbath) there is no special, God-ordained "Holy-Day" or Sabbath on PURIM because PURIM is a tradition-based celebration instituted by men, not by God.
PURIM - HEBREW / JEWISH - Feast Of Esther - Festival Of Lots
The holiday of Sukkot (feast of tabernacles) is followed by an independent holiday called *Shemini Atzeret. In Israel, this is a one-day holiday; in the Diaspora it is a two-day holiday, and the second day is known as **Simchat Torah. This holiday is characterized by utterly unbridled joy, which surpasses even the joy of Sukkot. The joy reaches its climax on Simchat Torah, when we celebrate the conclusion—and restart—of the annual Torah-reading cycle.
When I read the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, I see that God ordained festivals, or feasts. They have always been quite confusing to me for several reasons because of different months, a calendar that is not Gregorian, such as ours, and the mentioning of new moons, to point out just a few differences from our culture today. We can go to the Internet and find several write-ups about these feasts, but looking into that myself, I have never been able to identify anything more than ritual descriptions, for the most part. I felt it necessary to write a simplified version containing the spiritual aspects of three God ordained feasts rather than ritualistic celebrations according to the calendar God introduced to the Israelites. The first month of this calendar is called “Nisan,” also known as “Abib.” It starts during our yearly cycle around springtime, somewhere within March and April. That is where it is necessary to look at the moon for the beginning of months. The new moons would indicate the beginning of months. Rather than make things more confusing than what they need to be, I want to mention that there were also leap years in the Hebrew calendar. There wasn’t an extra day such as February the 29[SUP]th[/SUP], but rather after several years, an extra month would be added to the last month of the Hebrew calendar, so that the harvest time would correlate with the new moons. These harvest times are noted in scriptures as a very important part of these feasts.
I have found several aspects of meaningful relationships between these feasts, and have concluded that the “Feast of Tabernacles” emphasizes the spiritual reality of the other God ordained celebrations throughout the Hebrew year. Therefore, as we travel together in this quest of understanding, I will have to only mention highlights of what I have come to understand. All that I have read in the Bible concerning the times, seasons, and moons seems to point toward a spring harvest, and a fall harvest, and how the new moons correlate with the months of the year.
I have found several aspects of meaningful relationships between these feasts, and have concluded that the “Feast of Tabernacles” emphasizes the spiritual reality of the other God ordained celebrations throughout the Hebrew year. Therefore, as we travel together in this quest of understanding, I will have to only mention highlights of what I have come to understand. All that I have read in the Bible concerning the times, seasons, and moons seems to point toward a spring harvest, and a fall harvest, and how the new moons correlate with the months of the year.
Laying the groundwork
I haven’t found substantial help through websites concerning this topic. My wife recently told me that she read on the web that Abraham Lincoln once said that many quotations on the Internet are unreliable, so you can see the peril that I have faced for some time. Okay, seriously, I once had written a bible study on Nadab and Abihu, who were killed by the fire from God in Leviticus chapter nine. I found that all I had to work with was the Biblical records of all that God had ordained prior to that time in history. I found many assumptions on the net, but I could identify none of them with what those two sons of Aaron knew before the fact. So what I did was to take the information from only the Bible to conclude why God was so displeased. For more information you are welcome to visit my website. Nadab And Abihu This is irony to the max by endorsing my website, at the same time I describe the web as often not accurate. Well, just for the sake of comforting you, I will mention that I quote a lot of Bible to back up what I write. If I come to a conclusion by the process of elimination, or assumption, I always identify that as only my thoughts, and NOT the Biblical facts.
I will continue, starting with the first month God ordained through Moses in Exodus chapter twelve. We will read of the Passover, and the escape from Egypt in the first month of the year. In the beginning of the third month Israel arrived at Mount Sinai as we begin reading in Exodus 19:1. Starting in Exodus 12:34, we will read about the feast of “unleavened bread,” and the forty-nine days of seven weeks, to mention just a few details. One can easily compare the death of Christ and the first Passover in Egypt being on the fifteenth day of Nisan. We can also compare Pentecost to the first part of the third month Sivan, and the records written about what happened then at Mount Sinai.
Exodus 12:34 (KJV)
[SUP]34 [/SUP]And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
Exodus 19:1 (KJV)
[SUP]1 [/SUP]In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.
I haven’t found substantial help through websites concerning this topic. My wife recently told me that she read on the web that Abraham Lincoln once said that many quotations on the Internet are unreliable, so you can see the peril that I have faced for some time. Okay, seriously, I once had written a bible study on Nadab and Abihu, who were killed by the fire from God in Leviticus chapter nine. I found that all I had to work with was the Biblical records of all that God had ordained prior to that time in history. I found many assumptions on the net, but I could identify none of them with what those two sons of Aaron knew before the fact. So what I did was to take the information from only the Bible to conclude why God was so displeased. For more information you are welcome to visit my website. Nadab And Abihu This is irony to the max by endorsing my website, at the same time I describe the web as often not accurate. Well, just for the sake of comforting you, I will mention that I quote a lot of Bible to back up what I write. If I come to a conclusion by the process of elimination, or assumption, I always identify that as only my thoughts, and NOT the Biblical facts.
I will continue, starting with the first month God ordained through Moses in Exodus chapter twelve. We will read of the Passover, and the escape from Egypt in the first month of the year. In the beginning of the third month Israel arrived at Mount Sinai as we begin reading in Exodus 19:1. Starting in Exodus 12:34, we will read about the feast of “unleavened bread,” and the forty-nine days of seven weeks, to mention just a few details. One can easily compare the death of Christ and the first Passover in Egypt being on the fifteenth day of Nisan. We can also compare Pentecost to the first part of the third month Sivan, and the records written about what happened then at Mount Sinai.
Exodus 12:34 (KJV)
[SUP]34 [/SUP]And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
Exodus 19:1 (KJV)
[SUP]1 [/SUP]In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.
Allow me to rephrase the last two sentences of the previous post. They are better defined as follows.
One can easily compare the death of Christ with the fourteenth of Nisan, and the first Passover on the fifteenth, to Jesus’ burial. We can also compare Pentecost to the first part of the third month Sivan, and the records written about what happened at Mount Sinai.
The next day started at twilight, or the evening of the previous day as mentioned in post 225.
One can easily compare the death of Christ with the fourteenth of Nisan, and the first Passover on the fifteenth, to Jesus’ burial. We can also compare Pentecost to the first part of the third month Sivan, and the records written about what happened at Mount Sinai.
The next day started at twilight, or the evening of the previous day as mentioned in post 225.
As we read through the Bible we also see what happened to Israel during the forty years in the wilderness of Sinai. We read about the golden calf, the brass serpent, and the rock of water, manna, how the shoes and clothes didn’t wear out, and many other true circumstances of how God sustained them. These are stories about how God took special care for Israel, even though Aaron, Moses, and all people that came out of Egypt over the age of twenty never made it to the promised land. Joshua and Caleb were the only exceptions because of their faith in God. They knew by God’s promise that Israel could actually conquer what was seemingly impossible according to human standards.
It is also of importance to know the meaning of each letter of the pictorial Hebrew alphabet, and what the numbers represent in the Hebrew culture. For example, the first month would relate to the number one meaning “Unity; New beginnings,” which is quite appropriate. The numbers of weeks, in the “Feast of Weeks” are seven meaning “Resurrection; Spiritual completeness; and the Father’s perfection.” The number of days were fifty meaning “Holy Spirit; Pentecost,” and fourteen meaning “Deliverance and Salvation” just to mention a few. The third month, in which the law was given, means “Divine completeness and perfection.” Now that might cause some confusion for those who have labeled the law as something that has failed somehow, causing us to think that the Mosaic Law doesn’t apply for today because of the New Covenant through Christ Jesus. If we believe that God doesn’t make mistakes, and all that He has ever said is true, then we have to come to the conclusion that the law failed because of the carnal mind, not because God made a mistake, or somehow gave Israel something that wasn’t spiritual, holy, just and good. (Romans 7:12-14) Some will say that there was a second Passover in the second month of the year, but that was not within the original law. The reason for this second month celebration is to understand the grace of God, and His compassion toward some things in this life that prohibit the regimental laws to be observed concerning the feasts. It would be good at this point to quote a certain scripture as we keep in mind that this second month is related to both union, and division, while incorporating witnessing. I will quote some of 2 Chronicles 30:13-20 that shows that even though God ordained the first month as Passover, He looks at the sincerity of the heart. “And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation. Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD. For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD. For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.”
The second month then becomes a by-product, and not part the original design, yet understood and accepted fully by our great and wonderful Father in heaven. To say the least, this proves that God isn’t concerned about the rituals and celebrations of the feasts as much as He is about the heart condition. If the heart isn’t right, the feasts mean nothing.
“The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.”
(Psalm 145:8)
It is also of importance to know the meaning of each letter of the pictorial Hebrew alphabet, and what the numbers represent in the Hebrew culture. For example, the first month would relate to the number one meaning “Unity; New beginnings,” which is quite appropriate. The numbers of weeks, in the “Feast of Weeks” are seven meaning “Resurrection; Spiritual completeness; and the Father’s perfection.” The number of days were fifty meaning “Holy Spirit; Pentecost,” and fourteen meaning “Deliverance and Salvation” just to mention a few. The third month, in which the law was given, means “Divine completeness and perfection.” Now that might cause some confusion for those who have labeled the law as something that has failed somehow, causing us to think that the Mosaic Law doesn’t apply for today because of the New Covenant through Christ Jesus. If we believe that God doesn’t make mistakes, and all that He has ever said is true, then we have to come to the conclusion that the law failed because of the carnal mind, not because God made a mistake, or somehow gave Israel something that wasn’t spiritual, holy, just and good. (Romans 7:12-14) Some will say that there was a second Passover in the second month of the year, but that was not within the original law. The reason for this second month celebration is to understand the grace of God, and His compassion toward some things in this life that prohibit the regimental laws to be observed concerning the feasts. It would be good at this point to quote a certain scripture as we keep in mind that this second month is related to both union, and division, while incorporating witnessing. I will quote some of 2 Chronicles 30:13-20 that shows that even though God ordained the first month as Passover, He looks at the sincerity of the heart. “And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation. Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD. For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD. For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.”
The second month then becomes a by-product, and not part the original design, yet understood and accepted fully by our great and wonderful Father in heaven. To say the least, this proves that God isn’t concerned about the rituals and celebrations of the feasts as much as He is about the heart condition. If the heart isn’t right, the feasts mean nothing.
“The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.”
(Psalm 145:8)
I have also read that there is a Hebrew civil calendar that begins the New Year during the fall harvest, and some even suggest that Jesus was born during that time. I find no Biblical proof that the first month is any different than the original stated in Exodus chapter 12. Looking further into some facts of Hebrew culture, my wife looked into the time of the year that the shepherds would have been watching their flocks by night close to town. (Luke 2:8) The Complete Jewish Bible reads, “In the countryside nearby were some shepherds.” During the spring of the year, or the beginning of the Hebrew year, the shepherds would have green pastureland close to town, indicating springtime. I assume with no Biblical proof that Jesus might have been born in the same month as Passover, and that the Magi could have presented their gifts sometime during the “Feast of Weeks” while Mary and Joseph were still in Bethlehem, even though it seems they were no longer in a stable. Reading in Matthew 2:11 it is evident that they were in a house. “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Going back to the first Passover and the feast of weeks of the firstfruits, we know through scripture that the grain was tender, and was probably planted late the previous year as winter wheat. Of course one also has to take into consideration that the growing season in and around Bethlehem could be compared with southern Georgia in the United States, both lying very close to the thirty-first parallel. So not only is the growing season longer than in the Midwest, crops can be planted sooner in the vicinity around Bethlehem. By knowing this, it is totally comprehendible those firstfruits were harvested during the first part of the ancient Hebrew calendar year, and that grasslands close to town were available at that time also. From what I understand, shepherds would lead their flocks further away from town as the grasslands became sparser as the months went by. We also need to keep in mind that the feast of the spring harvest needed to be dried with fire so flour could be rendered from the corn, barley, and or wheat. The firstfruits were tender and needed to be dried by fire according to Leviticus 2:14. “And if thou offer a meat offering of thy firstfruits unto the LORD, thou shalt offer for the meat offering of thy firstfruits green ears of corn dried by the fire, even corn beaten out of full ears.” Relating this to the word of John the Baptist, we read in Matthew 3:11 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” This is not a coincidence.
With these explanations, we have a short overview of the first three months of the Hebrew year, and we can begin addressing the “trumpets, atonement, and the “Feast of Tabernacles” that is in the seventh month of Tishri/Ethanim, being within the Gregorian calendar months of September and October as we know. This seventh month commemorates the forty years in the wilderness of Sinai, and includes all that had happened since the first Passover. It is a feast for understanding the protection, mercy, and grace that God sheds on His children, and includes the thankful heart of a Christian’s walk in our present day, so it is well worth our study. As we will see, it is for remembering, self-denial, rejoicing, understanding, and thanksgiving. It might be coincidental that our “Thanksgiving” day on the last Thursday of November is close in time sequence to the “Feast of Tabernacles.” Thanksgiving used to be a day set aside to thank God for His blessing. I am disappointed that today we celebrate the day after as “Black Friday” for Christmas shopping, and now we have also added a “black Thursday.” Now it’s a day of self-centeredness, and we call it “Turkey Day.” Speaking of turkeys, are they kosher? I think they are the same as chickens. I don’t want to get into eggs and bunnies, and call it Passover, so I’ll pass on this ridiculousness after stating that this is no different than the Hebrew Pharisaical traditions without a sincere understanding heart toward God Almighty.
With these explanations, we have a short overview of the first three months of the Hebrew year, and we can begin addressing the “trumpets, atonement, and the “Feast of Tabernacles” that is in the seventh month of Tishri/Ethanim, being within the Gregorian calendar months of September and October as we know. This seventh month commemorates the forty years in the wilderness of Sinai, and includes all that had happened since the first Passover. It is a feast for understanding the protection, mercy, and grace that God sheds on His children, and includes the thankful heart of a Christian’s walk in our present day, so it is well worth our study. As we will see, it is for remembering, self-denial, rejoicing, understanding, and thanksgiving. It might be coincidental that our “Thanksgiving” day on the last Thursday of November is close in time sequence to the “Feast of Tabernacles.” Thanksgiving used to be a day set aside to thank God for His blessing. I am disappointed that today we celebrate the day after as “Black Friday” for Christmas shopping, and now we have also added a “black Thursday.” Now it’s a day of self-centeredness, and we call it “Turkey Day.” Speaking of turkeys, are they kosher? I think they are the same as chickens. I don’t want to get into eggs and bunnies, and call it Passover, so I’ll pass on this ridiculousness after stating that this is no different than the Hebrew Pharisaical traditions without a sincere understanding heart toward God Almighty.
K
Karraster
Guest
This brought tears of joy to my eyes. The Lord God Almighty Yah is so good. He is living and working in our lives, not wanting any to be lost.
Bless your heart. Isn't our God wonderful? WOW
Exodus 34:5-7 (KJV)
[SUP]5 [/SUP]And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
[SUP]6 [/SUP]And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
[SUP]7 [/SUP]Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
John 14:12-14 (KJV)
[SUP]12 [/SUP]Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
[SUP]13 [/SUP]And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
[SUP]14 [/SUP]If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
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Rather than going into what could be a confusing outlined format of long explanations, I will just define those meanings I think are necessary. Those areas that need more explanation, or Bible reference backup will be defined, as I feel necessary for clarity.
So what does the Bible actually mean when we read the word “feast?” These special days were holy days. We now classify special days as Holidays in our modern society. Some people say, “Happy Holidays” usually during our Christmas time. Those people that want to defame and negate Christmas want this phrase of “Happy Holidays” used instead of “Merry Christmas.” What they are actually saying is ‘have a happy and memorable Holy Day.’ If they only knew, they certainly wouldn’t want that either. So by them not wanting Christ to be remembered, they are actually endorsing something they don’t want. That reminds me of a verse in Romans chapter one that mentions something about a “reprobate mind.” Anyway, “feast” is a holy day, set aside for God’s children to come together and focus on the reason for the feast. The Hebrew word “feast” also relates to the word “victim” which makes it a solemn time for sacrifice. As God’s children we should not only focus on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, but also focus on presenting ourselves as a sacrifice to Him. (Romans 12:1) This frame of heart, mind, and soul from within us, is not only reasonable, it is expected. (Deuteronomy 11:1 and Matthew 22:37)
I used to think that a tabernacle was a great big building with huge stones and pillars standing above the rest of the menial dwellings surrounding its magnificence. I couldn’t have been more wrong concerning this feast. Tabernacles are huts like a tent, and are called cukkah, the “C” having an “S” sound. So in short, in Hebrew the “Feast of Tabernacles” is called “Sukkoth.” It is a testament of protection made with intertwined vegetation from trees, and shrubs. It means the support that holds life together, enabling one to see the light, and experience the moving Spirit of creation.
So here we are at the beginning of the seventh month called Tishri meaning the beginning, or Ethanim meaning flowing water, and gratuities at their full strength. The trumpets are ready to sound. There is excitement in the air as we wait with expectation.
Romans 8:24-25 (KJV)
[SUP]24 [/SUP]For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
[SUP]25 [/SUP]But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Hebrews 11:1-3 (KJV)
[SUP]1 [/SUP]Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
[SUP]2 [/SUP]For by it the elders obtained a good report.
[SUP]3 [/SUP]Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
So what does the Bible actually mean when we read the word “feast?” These special days were holy days. We now classify special days as Holidays in our modern society. Some people say, “Happy Holidays” usually during our Christmas time. Those people that want to defame and negate Christmas want this phrase of “Happy Holidays” used instead of “Merry Christmas.” What they are actually saying is ‘have a happy and memorable Holy Day.’ If they only knew, they certainly wouldn’t want that either. So by them not wanting Christ to be remembered, they are actually endorsing something they don’t want. That reminds me of a verse in Romans chapter one that mentions something about a “reprobate mind.” Anyway, “feast” is a holy day, set aside for God’s children to come together and focus on the reason for the feast. The Hebrew word “feast” also relates to the word “victim” which makes it a solemn time for sacrifice. As God’s children we should not only focus on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, but also focus on presenting ourselves as a sacrifice to Him. (Romans 12:1) This frame of heart, mind, and soul from within us, is not only reasonable, it is expected. (Deuteronomy 11:1 and Matthew 22:37)
I used to think that a tabernacle was a great big building with huge stones and pillars standing above the rest of the menial dwellings surrounding its magnificence. I couldn’t have been more wrong concerning this feast. Tabernacles are huts like a tent, and are called cukkah, the “C” having an “S” sound. So in short, in Hebrew the “Feast of Tabernacles” is called “Sukkoth.” It is a testament of protection made with intertwined vegetation from trees, and shrubs. It means the support that holds life together, enabling one to see the light, and experience the moving Spirit of creation.
So here we are at the beginning of the seventh month called Tishri meaning the beginning, or Ethanim meaning flowing water, and gratuities at their full strength. The trumpets are ready to sound. There is excitement in the air as we wait with expectation.
Romans 8:24-25 (KJV)
[SUP]24 [/SUP]For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
[SUP]25 [/SUP]But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Hebrews 11:1-3 (KJV)
[SUP]1 [/SUP]Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
[SUP]2 [/SUP]For by it the elders obtained a good report.
[SUP]3 [/SUP]Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
K
Karraster
Guest
And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of an only begotten of a father, full of grace and truth.
The later translations use "dwelt" in place of tabernacle.
The later translations use "dwelt" in place of tabernacle.
last post for today. more tomorrow.
On the first day of the months that these feasts, or festivals were to take place, trumpets were blown for the purpose of getting people’s attention and to gather them together for these special occasions. There were three reasons for the sounding of the trumpet. One, as I mentioned was to call people to gather together such as a ringing bell for holidays, and a call to worship like church bell on Sunday morning. Another could be compared with a civil defense siren, like a warning to tell people to take cover because of bad weather.
(2 Chronicles 13:14,1 Corinthians 14:8, and Ezekiel 33:4-6)
For the children of Israel this warning would have been a call to battle in defense of a certain position, or an offensive attack, such as we read when Israel conquered Jericho. (Joshua 6:4-20) The third was to observe the beginning of each month by the new moon. Obviously the new moons were important to observe for the beginning of months, and the trumpets were also blown to announce the gathering for appointed feasts. I find in scripture that the trumpets were blown at the beginning of each month, yet there were three special occasions of trumpet sounding that I will address specifically. (Numbers 10:10, Psalm 81:3) These times of new moons and feasts had nothing to do with a call to battle, because no alarm accompanied the original blast. (Numbers 10:7-8)
Counting the day of Passover, the “Feast of Unleavened Bread” is clearly a set time in the month of Nisan/Abib. Keeping in mind that the Hebrew day begins in the evening of the previous day, the evening of the fourteenth day is actually the fifteenth day. Exodus 12:8, and 18 say it this way. “And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.” So we know that the “Feast of Unleavened Bread” begins on the fifteenth day that began on the night when God passed over to witness the blood on the doorposts. Including the twenty-first day we count seven days. God reaffirms this feast in Exodus 23:15 saying; “Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty.” As we will see later, these days compare precisely with the “Feast of Tabernacles” in the seventh month.
On the first day of the months that these feasts, or festivals were to take place, trumpets were blown for the purpose of getting people’s attention and to gather them together for these special occasions. There were three reasons for the sounding of the trumpet. One, as I mentioned was to call people to gather together such as a ringing bell for holidays, and a call to worship like church bell on Sunday morning. Another could be compared with a civil defense siren, like a warning to tell people to take cover because of bad weather.
(2 Chronicles 13:14,1 Corinthians 14:8, and Ezekiel 33:4-6)
For the children of Israel this warning would have been a call to battle in defense of a certain position, or an offensive attack, such as we read when Israel conquered Jericho. (Joshua 6:4-20) The third was to observe the beginning of each month by the new moon. Obviously the new moons were important to observe for the beginning of months, and the trumpets were also blown to announce the gathering for appointed feasts. I find in scripture that the trumpets were blown at the beginning of each month, yet there were three special occasions of trumpet sounding that I will address specifically. (Numbers 10:10, Psalm 81:3) These times of new moons and feasts had nothing to do with a call to battle, because no alarm accompanied the original blast. (Numbers 10:7-8)
Counting the day of Passover, the “Feast of Unleavened Bread” is clearly a set time in the month of Nisan/Abib. Keeping in mind that the Hebrew day begins in the evening of the previous day, the evening of the fourteenth day is actually the fifteenth day. Exodus 12:8, and 18 say it this way. “And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.” So we know that the “Feast of Unleavened Bread” begins on the fifteenth day that began on the night when God passed over to witness the blood on the doorposts. Including the twenty-first day we count seven days. God reaffirms this feast in Exodus 23:15 saying; “Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty.” As we will see later, these days compare precisely with the “Feast of Tabernacles” in the seventh month.
K
Karraster
Guest
Wanted to say, your article about Nadab And Abihu was astonishing! Thanks for all your thoughtful insights. I will visit that page again and again, so much to consider!
I will explain, to the best of my knowledge, how the “Feast of Weeks” is calculated starting with a somewhat confusing description of the counting of days in Leviticus 23:15-16. “And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.” For a better understanding I quote the Complete Jewish Bible that reads; “From the day after the day of rest -that is, from the day you bring the sheaf for waving -you are to count seven full weeks, until the day after the seventh week; you are to count fifty days; and then you are to present a new grain offering to ADONAI.” The closest I can come to the beginning of the “Feast of Weeks” is that it starts on the first day of the week that correlates with the same day Christ rose from the dead. The word “Pentecost” means fifty, being the same as the Hebrew day of “Shavuot.” This day commemorates the giving of the law at Sinai, that ends the fifty-day count. This would also include “Firstfruits” and this seems logical to me in that Paul confirms to us in 1 Corinthians 15:20 that Christ is the “firstfruits” writing, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept,” and James 1:18 continues “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” This would indicate that firstfruits lasts throughout the “Feast of Weeks” seeing that there are three crops harvested during this time of seven weeks. (Exodus 34:22. Leviticus 2:14, and Deuteronomy 8:7-8) Then we see how the feast of weeks enters into the picture revolving around the spring harvest in Deuteronomy 16:9, and Leviticus 23:10. “Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.” Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:” So in my estimation, the feast of weeks can vary from year to year.
The latter half of the seventh month is the feast of tabernacles beginning on the fifteenth day. The final fall harvest, that was to come at the end of the year, was completed before the festival of Tabernacles called Sukkot. Deuteronomy 16:13 states that “Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:”
Now on the first day in the seventh month, God had commanded that trumpets were to be sounded to bring the people of Israel together for that month’s activities. (Numbers 29:1) Contrary to some beliefs, there is actually no “Feast of Trumpets” that is listed by that phrase in the Bible. The third holy day in which the trumpets were to sound was on the fifteenth day of the seventh month commemorating the “Feast of Tabernacles.” This was also time relate to the gathering of the harvest in the fall, differing from the spring harvest of firstfruits, for in Exodus 34:22 we read “And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end.”
So we see a harvest during the spring that starts after the “Feast of Unleavened Bread” begins, and a fall harvest that is finished before the “Feast of Tabernacles” begins.
The latter half of the seventh month is the feast of tabernacles beginning on the fifteenth day. The final fall harvest, that was to come at the end of the year, was completed before the festival of Tabernacles called Sukkot. Deuteronomy 16:13 states that “Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:”
Now on the first day in the seventh month, God had commanded that trumpets were to be sounded to bring the people of Israel together for that month’s activities. (Numbers 29:1) Contrary to some beliefs, there is actually no “Feast of Trumpets” that is listed by that phrase in the Bible. The third holy day in which the trumpets were to sound was on the fifteenth day of the seventh month commemorating the “Feast of Tabernacles.” This was also time relate to the gathering of the harvest in the fall, differing from the spring harvest of firstfruits, for in Exodus 34:22 we read “And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end.”
So we see a harvest during the spring that starts after the “Feast of Unleavened Bread” begins, and a fall harvest that is finished before the “Feast of Tabernacles” begins.
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Without going into great detail, I would like to summarize my understanding of how the Hebrew moons, months, and leap years are calculated. From what I understand, there are twenty-nine days for certain six months and thirty days for the other six months through a twelve-month period. Which months have thirty days and which have twenty-nine days I do not know for sure. According to what I calculate in the Bible, at least the first month has thirty days and second month has twenty-nine days. I assume that as the year progresses the days of the months alternate accordingly between thirty and twenty-none days. During a leap year there is one month added between the eleventh and twelfth months called Adar 1. The Jewish calendar has 13 months in a leap year having 384 days, and a regular twelve-month year has 354 days. A Jewish leap year occurs 7 times in a 19-year cycle. The 3rd, 6th, 8th, 11th, 14th, 17th, and 19th years are leap years in this cycle. As I have mentioned previously, the values in numbers and letters have spiritual meaning in the Hebrew culture, and are well worth our time to investigate the dynamics of this God given language. When we look into the number value of each leap year, we see a progression of events to be understood by God’s children through Jesus Christ. Year 3 is to gather, year 6 is to secure, year 8 is to separate, year 11 is to reach and receive, year 14 (like the 14[SUP]th[/SUP] day that Jesus was crucified) introduces the Seed, Heir, and Son, year 17 is the ministry of the spoken Word, and year 19 represents the lifetime of a person from birth to death, and also from the beginning until the eternal, after heaven and earth pass away. Let God’s Spirit speak to you concerning this, and we will see that the ordinances of God have substantial value for us at present, and have had substance since the beginning of Biblical time. The sequence listed for leap years were necessary to correlate the first day of the month with the new moons and the respective times of harvest.
The Feast of Tabernacles was established by God during the seventh month (Tishri, also known as Ethanim) and was defined through the records of the Mosaic Law. (Leviticus 23:23-36) I have also read that the seventh month relates directly with the finished work of building the first temple, and restoration of the temple in later years when Hezekiah was king. The temple is not the same as the tabernacles that were built from recommended foliage during this month. The following is referring to the Jerusalem temple of God for offerings and sacrifice. I will address these later in more detail. First by king Solomon, (1 Kings 7:51, 1 Kings 8:1-2, and 2 Chronicles 5:1-3) Second was the restoration of the temple by king Hezekiah, (2 Chronicles 29:26-31, and 2 Chronicles 31:5-7) And the third by Ezra the priest scribe, and Nehemiah the governor, even though the rebuilding of the temple wasn’t completed until the last month of the year being Adar. (Ezra 3:1-6, Nehemiah 6:15, and Nehemiah 8:1-2)
There is a distinct comparison between the first month of Abib/Nisan, and the seventh month of Tishri/Ethanim. According to the book of Enoch, which is not in the traditional Bible, the new moons were at the same time during those months yet were seen in the sky at negative and positive degrees from each other. It has everything to do with the tilt of the earth as it rotates around the sun. We know that in the seventh month the earth is on the opposite side of the sun from the first month, so the new moons were at the same time, but opposite in axis or equal degrees from each other called doors or windows.
Now the first day of the first month of the year was established by God through Moses in Exodus 12:2, there were nine days of instructions to prepare for what was to happen on the tenth and fourteenth day. The first day of the seventh month was established not only by the new moon, but also by the sounding of the trumpet for gathering the people together on the first day of the seventh month for instructions as we read in Leviticus 23:23-24. In Numbers 29:1-6 we also read about the first day of the seventh month and for nine days there is a holy convocation, along with special sacrifices. “Convocation” includes the description of a legendary past, commemorating events to be remembered. Obviously, it was for Israel to remember how God cared for them in the forty years they were in the wilderness of Sinai, as we will see when we read about the “Feast of Tabernacles” that started on the fifteenth day. We read in Matthew chapters 17-20, which could be a description of what Jesus did during the nine days before He came to Jerusalem riding on a colt. We can deduce that the first day of the first month also might be when the Priesthood was transferred from the tribe of Levi to the tribe of Judah on the “Mount of Transfiguration.” (Hebrews 7:11-16) The first day of the announcement of the “feast of Tabernacles” during Jesus’ ministry was obviously on the first day of the seventh month. In John 7:1-13 Jesus said to the disciples that His “time is not yet come,” and explained to them why the world hated Him. That same day Jesus came to the feast secretly because the Jews wanted to kill Him. All four of these events are announcements for clarification; hence the blowing of trumpets is to get the attention of the masses. Again, it is good to mention that there is no “Feast of Trumpets” according to Biblical records.
Now the first day of the first month of the year was established by God through Moses in Exodus 12:2, there were nine days of instructions to prepare for what was to happen on the tenth and fourteenth day. The first day of the seventh month was established not only by the new moon, but also by the sounding of the trumpet for gathering the people together on the first day of the seventh month for instructions as we read in Leviticus 23:23-24. In Numbers 29:1-6 we also read about the first day of the seventh month and for nine days there is a holy convocation, along with special sacrifices. “Convocation” includes the description of a legendary past, commemorating events to be remembered. Obviously, it was for Israel to remember how God cared for them in the forty years they were in the wilderness of Sinai, as we will see when we read about the “Feast of Tabernacles” that started on the fifteenth day. We read in Matthew chapters 17-20, which could be a description of what Jesus did during the nine days before He came to Jerusalem riding on a colt. We can deduce that the first day of the first month also might be when the Priesthood was transferred from the tribe of Levi to the tribe of Judah on the “Mount of Transfiguration.” (Hebrews 7:11-16) The first day of the announcement of the “feast of Tabernacles” during Jesus’ ministry was obviously on the first day of the seventh month. In John 7:1-13 Jesus said to the disciples that His “time is not yet come,” and explained to them why the world hated Him. That same day Jesus came to the feast secretly because the Jews wanted to kill Him. All four of these events are announcements for clarification; hence the blowing of trumpets is to get the attention of the masses. Again, it is good to mention that there is no “Feast of Trumpets” according to Biblical records.