Numbers Chapter 29
The feasts were a time of special dedication to the Lord. The sacrifices made on these special occasions were in addition to the regular sacrifices. They were a time of holy convocation meaning one was to set themselves apart from the rest of their life and just consecrate themselves to God. Imagine taking a week off work and travelling to a central location and just worshipping God for a week with no outside influences or electronics!
God even admonished them to take one step closer to Him during the Day of Atonement by afflicting themselves. The day of atonement was meant to be a day of deep confession of sin. To afflict themselves would mean that they must humble themselves before God and recognize their need for His atoning mercy. They would spend time really thinking about their sin being placed on the innocent animal that was being sacrificed on their behalf. It is likely that they would fast and pray to bring their thoughts captive and to humble themselves before God. This special day would later become known as Yom Kippur.
Let's Reflect
1. As you read through the description of these different feasts and observances, what do you see in common between the Passover (chapter 28), Feast of Weeks (chapter 28), Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Booths?
2. Do any of these special days commemorate or celebrate mankind?
3. The Feast of Booths is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles. God wanted the Israelites to remember where they came from and how He had rescued them from Egypt. God required that there would be many animals sacrificed during this weeklong celebration to commemorate the goodness and provision of God during the exodus and the wilderness wanderings. On which day were the least number of animals sacrificed?
“This was the last and great day of the feast, as it is called John 7:37, and yet the sacrifices were fewer than any other day, to teach them not to trust to the multitude of their sacrifices, nor to expect remission of sins from them, but from the one and only sacrifice of Christ.” [Poole]
John 7:37-38 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
