This Coming Weekend in KQ and FL (Feb. 27)

Every 6th and 13th lesson, we pause to remember and celebrate, just as God instructed His people to do. This weekend is one of those weekends. For tips on how to talk about this at home, download the HomeFront Weekly that we handed out on Feb. 20.

Old Testament Significance

Several times a year the Israelites gathered together for a feast or festival. In Leviticus 23, “the Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed feasts … which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.’” These seven feasts and festivals are: Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Festival of First Fruits, Feast of Harvest, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths). In addition, the Israelites would gather weekly to celebrate the Sabbath. These were times to remember what God had done for His people and to celebrate His goodness. They were a time for the entire faith community to gather together without the burden of work to simply worship and celebrate. During the feasts, the Israelites ate, danced, sang, played instruments, prayed, and offered sacrifices to God.

New Testament Significance

The Feast of Passover was fulfilled by the death of the Messiah, the Feast of Unleavened Bread was fulfilled by His sinless sacrifice, and the Festival of First Fruits was fulfilled by the resurrection of the Messiah. The Feast of Harvest began with a great harvest of three-thousand souls by the coming of the promised Holy Spirit, who continues to harvest souls today. The Feast of Trumpets will announce Christ’s return, the Day of Atonement anticipated the Messiah’s perfect sacrifice, and finally, the Feast of Tabernacles begins the journey to our new home in a new heaven and new earth.

This month, we are highlighting the Feast of Harvest. This feast, also known as the Feast of Pentecost or Weeks, corresponded with the nation’s harvest season. This feast is preceded by the Festival of First Fruits, during which the barley was harvested and ushered in the time when wheat was harvested. During this feast, the Israelites thanked God again for His provision for their physical needs. In addition, they also thanked Him for providing a way into relationship with Him. Pentecost was set in motion as a remembrance of when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. Pentecost means “fifty days.” The 50 days leading up to Pentecost (after Passover) were a season of gladness, abundance, and thanksgiving for God’s provision.

For more information on biblical feasts and festivals,  or visit
http://www.shamar.org/articles/godsplan.php
http://www.maranathalife.com/teaching/jew-hol.htm