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Parashah 31: Emor (Speak) Part 2

Parashah 31: Emor (Speak); Leviticus 21:1 through 24:23.

Haftarah (Writings and Prophets): Ezekiel 44:15-31.

B'rit Hadasha (New Testament): Matthew 5:38-42; Galatians 3:26-29.

Summary & Overview

TORAH

o Leviticus 21:1 | Regulations for Conduct of Priests

o Leviticus 22:17 | Offerings Accepted and Not Accepted

o Leviticus 23:1 | Feasts of YHVH

o Leviticus 24:1 | Care of the Tabernacle Lamps

o Leviticus 24:5 | The Bread of the Tabernacle

o Leviticus 24:10 | The Penalty for Blasphemy

Last week it was discussed how the Bride will be transformed into the Priesthood and what the Standards and Requirements for the Priesthood are. This week we will continue our discussion on the next topic in this Torah Portion, moving on to Lev 23. We will look at the Feasts of YHVH and why the Bride needs them to prepare for the final Marriage Feast with Messiah. Remember, we are in the Feast Cycle, in between the Feast of First Fruits and Shavuot, counting the Omer. This time is very significant from a Prophetic perspective, regarding the preparation of the Bride and the Second Coming of Messiah Y’shua.

The next Feast on the Calendar is Shavuot (Pentecost) and this Feast relates to the Second Part of the Marriage Covenant, which will be discussed in detail on that Feast Day, uncovering how Shavuot lines up with the rest of the Fall Festivals in relation with the Second Coming of Messiah.

To start off this weeks study, we will look at the reasons why Believers in Messiah should celebrate these Festivals, especially Believers with a Gentile heritage. We will find out whether Y’shua and His Disciples kept the Feasts, as well as people like Paul, if he and his followers celebrated the Festivals within the early Church. We as the Bride need to base our faith of the Word of YHVH and see for ourselves if these Feasts are still relevant today and move aside any previous opinions or doctrines that might filter our view. See and study the Scripture as a whole and not through doctrinal tinted glasses that only cause confusion and contradictions within Scripture.

Are YHVH's Holy Days Relevant to Believers in Messiah today?

Some believers are of the opinion that the Biblical Feasts are for the Jews, not for Christians and followers of Messiah. This view has been taught in many Churches over many years, and we need to see if this is so. Others believe that the Feasts, together with the Law, has been done away with, nailed to the cross, and YHVH freed us from the burden of these “elementary things of the world”, that are these Festivals, that enslaves us. We find the Commandment regarding these Feasts in this Torah Portion in Lev 23.

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Lev 23:1 And YHVH spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of YHVH, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.

YHVH’s Feasts: As seen from this passage, these Festivals are not Jewish Festivals, they are YHVH’s Feasts that He facilitates and you, as a child of Israel, are invited.

Children of Israel: You can only join in and attend these Festivals if you are part of the children of Israel. Paul explains in Romans 13 how Gentiles are grafted into the Olive Tree, which is Israel, becoming part of Israel because if the Blood Covenant with Y’shua.

Rom 11:13-19 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root[c] of the Olive Tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if YHVH did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of YHVH: severity toward those who have fallen, but YHVH's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off.23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for YHVH has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

The natural branches are the original people of Israel, and because of their “unbelief”, some were broken off. As they repent and “believe” again, they are grafted back into the Olive Tree. This “unbelief” was not a failure to believe in Messiah, but a breaking of YHVH’s Covenant, breaking His Commandments. This “unbelief” was a failure to be faithful in the Truth they received, and the symbolism of being “broken off” means that they were removed from Israel, and scattered amongst the nations. If they repent and turn back to YHVH’s Ways and His Torah, they will be reunited and grafted back into Israel, just like before.

We as Gentiles are also grafted into the Olive tree and become part of Israel because of the Blood Covenant and us embracing and be faithful in His Ways and His Torah, just like the original Israel. Remember, you are either born onto Israel or adopted into Israel, we as Gentiles are adopted as children of Israel through the Threshold Covenant or the Passover.

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Holy Convocations: Reading further in Lev 23, it states that these Feasts are Holy Convocations. Convocation is the Hebrew word “mik-rah” that means; something called out, i.e. a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal: —assembly, calling, convocation, reading.

Public Private Meeting: Mikrah means a public assembly or meeting that is called out, so that people can attend and take part in the topics in the Agenda. There are different meetings during the year, and every “meeting” has the main theme or “Agenda”. The Meeting is called out and those invited, need to attend to take part in the discussions. YHVH is the “Chair” and facilitates the Meeting through the help of the Gifts of His Spirit. These meetings are called “Holy Convocations” that means that they are “set apart” or private meetings for YHVH’s set-apart people and not just anybody can attend.

Why do the Jews get jealous and upset when we participate in these meetings? Because our Jewish brothers believe the Feasts are only for the Set-Apart people of YHVH, that is Israel. They are correct but do not see us Gentiles, grafted into Israel.

The purpose for these Set-Apart-Meetings is to teach people regarding every one of these Feasts, what they symbolize for us on a spiritual level and what they mean prophetically. The Feasts are tools to teach our children through all the beautiful symbolism that is easy to see and understand, learning about YHVH and His Restoration Plan.

Appointed Times: The Feasts are known as Appointed Times or Appointments with the Father. These meetings are not held ad-hoc, as the people would think, but are called by our Father on set times, scheduled within His Calendar that is different to our Calendar. Gen 1:14 reveals to us the creation of the sun, moon and stars, that are to be as times and seasons. Seasons is the word “mo-ed” that means “Appointed Times” or Festivals. It comes from the root word “ya-ad” that means; “to fix, appoint, assemble, meet, set, to betroth” and is first found in Scripture in Exo 21:8-9.

This passage is within the context of the Commandment regarding Bondservants, in particular, a Maidservant or female Bondservant that betrothed her Master or Her Master’s Son. If she did not accept the marriage or did not please her Master after seven years, she will be sold as a slave to a foreign nation. If she pleased Her Master’s Son as betrothed to Him, she would be treated as a daughter in the House of the Master.

Q - Can you see the connection with YHVH’s Appointed Times or Festivals and the Marriage Covenant between the Maidservant and the Son of Master YHVH?

All of this was established at the foundation of the Earth, at the Beginning when YHVH created everything. YHVH had the Marriage Covenant in mind when He created His Calendar, which revolves around the sun, moon and stars, and His Torah will not pass away until the Heavens and the Earth pass away. Matt 5:18.

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Wedding Dress Rehearsals: “Mikrah” means rehearsal as well and looking to this from a Bride’s point of view, shows us that they are “dress rehearsals” or “wedding rehearsals” and those who are part of the Bride, needs to understand and attend these rehearsals. The Wedding Rehearsal is a practice run prior to the events of the “Great Day” when everybody come together to practice and rehearse the events so that the ceremony can run smoothly. These “dress rehearsals”, are for the Bride to make sure she looks her best and that her bridal attire, matches the event perfectly.

Proclaim these Feasts: Proclaim is used in Lev 23 and is the word “qara” that means “to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim, to name.” It is first found in Scripture in Gen 1:5 where YHVH divided the light from darkness and called “qara” the light, day and the darkness night, defining the concept of a day or time.

Q – How are we to proclaim the Festivals?

We should call “qara” the Feasts, dividing them from normal days as “appointed days” just like YHVH divided light from darkness, defining a “day”. The Feasts are days like the Sabbath day, separated from other normal days. On normal days you do normal things, on His Set-Apart Days, you do “set-apart” or Holy things that is pleasing unto Him. When you acknowledge these days, you “proclaim” and “call them out” the same way as in “light” is called out over “darkness” allowing people “to see” what YHVH is “revealing. These Feast Days are like “lights” that shines in this “dark world” revealing YHVH’s Plan of Redemption through His Covenants and the Work of Messiah. These lights described in the Book of Isaiah:

Isa 62:5-6 For as a young man marries a virgin, So shall your sons marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So shall your Elohim rejoice over you. 6 I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of YHVH, do not keep silent, 7 And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

Watchman on the Wall: Watchman is the word “shamar” that means ”to keep, guard, observe, give heed” and is the same word used in Exo 12:17-24 when YHVH told Israel to keep or observe (shamar) the Feast of Passover, before they left Egypt.

These Feasts are like 7 Watchman on the walls of Jerusalem that shines like the seven lights, similar to the Menorah, revealing who is approaching. These seven “lights” or “watchman” makes it possible “to see” the Messiah approaching. That is what happened at the time when Y’shua came, the first three Feasts revealed Him as the Messiah and He

fulfilled the Passover, Unleavened Bread and First Fruits during His First Coming. He became the essence and object of those Appointed Times, and revealed Himself as the Messiah, fitting all the meanings within every Feast.

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The people who were “watching” or observing these Feasts, could “see” Him and recognize Him as the true Messiah. People who do not know and understand these Feasts through observing them will not be able recognize the Messiah when He will come again during His Second Coming. There are still 3 “lights” that must be used to reveal the One approaching before the end of time.

Revealing the Two Messiahs: The first three Festivals are celebrated as Spring Festivals, that Y'shua fulfilled during His First Coming. The fourth Festival was fulfilled with the receiving of YHVH’s Spirt. The last three, the Fall Festivals will be fulfilled during His Second Coming.

As discussed earlier, only those who know about the Festivals and observe them will be able to “see” Who is approaching, as with His First Coming. The problem is that the Anti-Messiah will come before the Real Messiah, and those who are not “Watchman” might be deceived. The word Anti-Messiah does not mean “against the Messiah” but rather someone that comes “in the place of Messiah”. When he appears, many will be deceived because he will do signs and wonders as the counterfeit Messiah.

Matt 24:24 For false Messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

People think that the Anti-Messiah is trying to deceive people in the world, unbelievers who dwell in sin, but he is actually coming for the believers in Messiah Y’shua, to deceive them through imitating the real Messiah. The only way not to be deceived as a believer is to test the spirits, test if they are from YHVH. The only measure we have is His Word in order to test and reveal false Prophets and false Messiahs. Another way to reveal the false Messiah is to test him against the Feasts of YHVH, whether he will observe and fulfill their intent and purpose within the timing of the Feast Cycle. All the Feasts should be used to reveal the false Messiah, especially the last three Feasts because they are not fulfilled yet. The majority of believers in Churches today do not know and observe these Feasts and do not have proper knowledge and understanding to avoid deception. It is the purpose of the Priesthood to inform the rest of the Bride regarding these things so that She would not be deceived and be prepared for Her Messiah. Another problem in the Church today is the people have no or little knowledge and understanding of the end times as revealed in Daniel, Matthew and Revelation. A lack of knowledge of the Torah and the Feasts makes them ignorant and vulnerable, open to deception.

Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being Priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the Torah of your God, I also will forget your children.

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The Plan of YHVH: The Feasts are prophetic types and examples foreshadowing significant events within YHVH's Restoration Plan through the Work of the Messiah. This Restoration Plan of YHVH is represented with the Feasts on the Menorah Pattern that reveals “balanced truth”

The First part of His Plan has to do with redeeming or restoring man’s spiritual side and the second part of His Plan is to redeem or restore man’s physical side, liberating us from our sinful flesh, giving us renewed bodies after His Second Coming.

When the Temple was constructed, it was done from the inside out; they started with the Holy of Holies, the Holy Place and the Altar, right through to the construction of the outer court. In the same way, we as Temples of YHVH are constructed from the inside out, starting with the internal spiritual side, and then ends with the construction of our external physical side.

This construction process is the Restoration Process of man’s the fallen state due to sin and corrupt nature. The first step was to replace our old nature with a newly restored nature by receiving His Holy Spirit. Before His Spirit could indwell us, He had to “prepare the house”, clean it out, removing leaven and sin, and the, provide “a covering” because of His Holiness that cannot indwell our “fallen flesh.” The Blood of Messiah was shed on Passover to provide this “shield” or “covering” so that His Spirit can indwell us, not affected by our flesh that is still to be restored. He replaced the “old man” with a “new man” who is less prone to sin but still lives in a fleshly with sinful cravings.

Rom 6:6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;

Facts regarding the Feasts:

There are ten Festivals mentioned in Scripture; seven Major Feasts; Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, and Tabernacles. With the two Minor Festivals; Purim and Chanukah give nine and adding the Sabbath gives a total of ten Festivals, and the number ten means completion, completing the Restoration Process and Plan of YHVH.

The Feasts are a shadow of things to come that teach us about the Messiah (Col_2:16-17; Heb_10:1).

Elohim gave the Feasts so we could learn and understand Elohim's plan of redemption for the world and our personal relationship to Him (Rom_15:4).

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The Feasts, as part of the Torah (which means "instruction"), that functions as a schoolmaster or tutor that leads us to the Messiah (Gal_3:24).

The Feasts will point to the Messiah and Elohim's plan for the world through the Messiah (Ps 40:6-8; Heb 10:7).

Y’shua came to fulfill all that was written in the “Old Testament” (Tanach), which consists of three parts: the Torah, the prophets (Nevi'im), and the writings (Ketuvim - personified by the Psalms) concerning Him (Luk_24:26-27,Luk_24:44-45; John 5:46-47).

The Feasts set forth the pattern of heavenly things on earth (Heb_8:1-5; Heb_9:8-9,Heb_9:23; Exo_25:8-9,Exo_25:40; Exo_26:30; Num_8:4; Eze_43:1-6, Eze_43:10-12).

Elohim gives the natural to explain the spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:46-47). By studying the natural, we can understand the spiritual (1Co_2:9-13; 2Co_4:18).

Holy Days mentioned in the Berit Chadashah (NT)

Y’shua and His Disciples observed the Feasts: From Y’shua’s earliest childhood years, He observed the Holy Days with His parents.

Luke 2:41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

The following verses, 42-48, describe Y’shua at age twelve, engaging with the learned theologians of His day, in a spirited discussion during this Festival season, probably explaining the actual meaning of these Feast days. They were astonished by His wisdom and understanding at that age and the fact that He was not trained and learned scholar like themselves.

John writes of Y’shua continuing to observe the annual Holy Days as an adult during His ministry (John 2:23; 4:45). In one of the examples, Y’shua risked His personal safety to attend two of these Festivals, the annual Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day (John 7:1-2, 7-10, 14).

John 7:37-39 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Y’shua stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, [which] those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Y’shua was not yet glorified.

The best example of Y’shua celebrating the Festivals is where He celebrated the Passover Feast with His Disciples the night before He died as the Passover Lamb.

Matt 26:17-19 Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Y’shua, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 18 And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.”19 So the disciples did as Y’shua had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.

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Paul observed the Feasts: Many churches believe that the apostle Paul fundamentally changed the way Christians are to worship. This notion assumes Paul taught Gentiles that observance of the Holy Days was unnecessary. Not

everybody understood Paul’s writings back then, and it is even

more so in this day and age, looking at his teachings from a Western mindset and Culture, reading from different translations with different interpretations.

2 Peter 3:15-16 Although some of his writings were difficult to understand, even by his contemporaries “And think of the long-suffering of our Master as salvation as our beloved brother Paul also has written to you according to the wisdom given to him (16) as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable pervert, as also they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Paul's statements and actions contradict any notion that he annulled or abolished Holy Day observance. In 1 Corinthians 11:1-2, for example, Paul told his followers to "imitate me, just as I also imitate Messiah," and "keep the traditions as I delivered them to you." A few verses later he explained the Passover to the people whom he celebrated Passover with.

1 Cor 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

At this table, Paul, just like Y’shua, took the Matzah or Unleavened Bread, broke it and explained what the bread symbolized. Likewise, he took the wine and explained the symbolism of the Blood sacrifice of the Passover Lamb, foreshadowing the Sacrifice of Y’shua, the Lamb of YHVH. Matt 26:26, Mark 14:22, Luke 22:14.

If Paul's practice had not been to observe the Holy Days, this would be the time to teach them not to observe, rather than to teach them about the Feast and its meanings. On the contrary, the biblical record of Paul's ministry repeatedly depicts the Holy Days as important observances and milestones in his life. For example, he told the Ephesians that he must attend the upcoming Feast in Jerusalem, one of the three Pilgrim Festivals.

Acts 18:21 I must by all means keep this coming Feast in Jerusalem.

We find more examples in Acts 20:16 and 1 Corinthians 16:8, where Paul arranged his travel schedule to accommodate the Feast of Pentecost.

Acts 20:16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.

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1 Cor 16:8 “But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost. “

In Acts 27:9, Luke, Paul's companion in his travels, referred to the time of year as “after the Fast," a reference to the Day of Atonement.

Acts 27:9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over.

The Expositor's Bible Commentary, in a reference to Acts 20:6, notes that Paul was unable to arrive at Jerusalem for the Passover, and stayed in Philippi for the Feast over the next seven days. (Richard N. Longenecker, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 1981, Vol. 9, p. 507).

Acts 20:6 But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

Paul's ministry included observing the Holy Days with the Church. If Paul was against the Festivals, why did he not say anything to teach them otherwise and why did he attend these Feasts, setting an example?

Misinterpreted Scripture

Gal 4:9-10 is a favored verse that is used today to proof that the Feasts are done away with, saying that Paul called the Feasts “poor elementary matters of the world,” and not to be observed.

Gal 4:1-12 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, YHVH sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

6 And because you are sons, YHVH has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of YHVH through Messiah. 8 But then, indeed, when you did not know YHVH, you served those which by nature are not gods.

9 But now after you have known YHVH, or rather are known by YHVH, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain. 12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me,

Verses 1 and 2 describes us as children in the house of the Father, who are like “slaves” (bondservants) even being children of the Father. By this, he is making the point that we should be obedient to the Father, as a Servant of the Master, even if we are children of the Father. We are under “Guardians” who teaches us until the appointed time until we are mature. As a “mature child”, you will then do what you have been taught from within your own conviction.

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Verses 3 and 4 describes us being in bondage to the “elements of this world”, born under “law” (nomos), and Y’shua died so that we can be set free from this “law”, by adopting us as sons.

We need to understand the meanings of the following phrases in order to interpret Paul's statements correctly; “elements of this world” and “law”. The context of this passage is “Adoption into the House of the Father” and becoming Bondservants or Children of the Most High God.

Elements of this world: One interpretation of this phrase suggests that the Feasts of YHVH as it relates to verses 9-11, calling it “weak beggarly elements”, followed by the statement; “…you observe days and months and seasons and years.” This suggests that Paul said that the Feasts of YHVH are weak and beggarly elements. The Feasts are given by YHVH and are Spiritual by nature, not earthly beggarly elements as suggested. “Elements of this world” relate to the natural elements and the natural flesh we need in order to exist in this world. We are born “under these elements” or born in a fleshly body and are “under the flesh” dictated by its fleshly desires. Beggarly is the Greek word “ptochas” that means “poor man begging” implying a slave. The “poor beggarly elements” we are born into is the flesh that makes us slaves of its “elements” or desires, making us poor from a spiritual point of view. To be adopted as a son means that you are no longer a slave of the flesh, begging or desiring physical things of this world, but you are a Bondservant or Child of YHVH having received the “riches” through His Spirit. This Adoption process transforms you from a “poor fleshly person” that was bound under the fallen nature (elements of fleshly or natural), transformed into a spiritual rich person, a child in the House of the Master.

Under the “law”: Paul made the statement (v4-5) that we are born under the “law.” Paul is speaking to the Church in Galatia that consisted predominately of Gentiles, who accepted Messiah as their Saviour. Reading this statement in the context of his audience makes “the law” they are “born under” different to the Torah, because the Galatians were brought up in Torah by their parents. What law was Paul talking about? Law is the word “nomos” and that is the only word in Greek translated as law and can refer to the Torah, the Law of YHVH that is also know as the law of the Spirit. “Nimos” can mean the “law of man” or “tradition of the elders,” also known as man-made traditions. Lastly, “nomos” can refer to the “law of sin” that is also known as the “law of the flesh.” You have to read the context in order to know which law Paul was referring to.

In this case, Paul was talking about a “law” Gentiles were born under and

previously referred to “elements of this world” or natural things, referring to our flesh. This makes “nomos” or law here definitely the “law of the flesh” or the “law of sin, ” not the Torah as often believed.

Reading this passage again with the true meanings of the phrases; ”weak beggarly elements of the world” and “law of the flesh” will give us the true meaning. Y’shua’s Blood redeemed us and set us free from the “Law of the Flesh” we are born under, and allows us to receive His Spirit that transforms this “old nature” into a ”new nature.” This process is called Adoption, and we are

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now become children of YHVH, Bondservants of the Father, obeying His Word and are no longer “under the flesh”, like we used to, before our transformation.

Verse 10 Paul mentioned the observation of days, months, seasons and years. Before that, he said the believers want to go back to the “beggarly elements of this world." That means that they want to go back to their old ways, following the flesh just like one would observe the natural things known to man like day’s, months, seasons and years, man observe to make a living. The majority of the people back then were farmers, and they were heavily dependent on the times and seasons for harvesting their crops in order to sustain the flesh. Paul wants to take them one step further, to show them that they need rather trust YHVH as a Bondservant, through the help of His Spirit, instead of trusting in their own efforts, being like beggars feeding the flesh. This verse has nothing to so with YHVH’s Festivals but explains man’s dependency on the “elements of the world” and the “flesh” as a beggar rather than trusting in YHVH as a son.

The Feasts in the Kingdom

The Bible teaches that eventually, in the new Kingdom, YHVH will teach everyone to observe these days.

Zec 14:16 And it shall be, everyone who is left of all the nations which came up against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, LORD of Hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

If the Feasts are to be observed in the New Jerusalem after the Second Coming of Messiah Y’shua, don’t you think it is relevant to us before His Coming? Does it make sense to believe that Y’shua and His Disciples observed the Feasts, only to be taken away by Paul who observed the Feasts as well, and then to reinstate these Feasts after the return of Y’shua again? Think about it.

Summary of the Feast Days in the New Testament

Passover Commanded in Old Testament: Leviticus 23:5

Observed by Y’shua or the Apostles or the Church in the New

Testament: Matthew 26:2, 17-19

Mark 14:12-16

Luke 2:41-42; 22:1, 7-20

John 2:13, 23; 6:4; 13:1-30

1 Corinthians 11:23-29

Feast of Unleavened Bread Commanded in Old Testament: Leviticus 23:6-8

Observed by Y’shua or the Apostles or the Church in the New Testament: Matthew 26:17

Mark 14:12

Luke 2:41-42, 22:1,7

Acts 20:6

1 Corinthians 5:6-8

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Feast of Shavuot or Pentecost Commanded in Old Testament: Leviticus 23:15-22

Observed by Y’shua or the Apostles or the Church in the New Testament: Acts 2:1-21; 20:16

1 Corinthians 16:8

Feast of Yom Teruah or Trumpets Commanded in Old Testament: Leviticus 23:23-25

Observed by Y’shua or the Apostles or the Church in the New Testament: Matthew 24:30-31

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Revelation 11:15

Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement Commanded in Old Testament: Leviticus 23:26-32

Observed by Y’shua or the Apostles or the Church in the New Testament: Acts 27:9

Feast of Sukkot or Tabernacles Commanded in Old Testament: Leviticus 23:33-43

Observed by Y’shua or the Apostles or the Church in the New Testament: John 7:1-2, 8, 10, 14

Acts 18:21

Last Great Day (Feast of Tabernacles) Commanded in Old Testament: Leviticus 23:36

Observed by Y’shua or the Apostles or the Church in the New Testament: John 7:37-38