Dclm Children sts lesson 28 Divinely appointed feasts
Text: Leviticus 23:1-44; 24:1-23
God in His love and mercy desire to have fellowship with His children at all times, hence, He commanded Israel, His chosen nation to observes feasts, the children of more relevant in New Testament worship because Jesus has fulfilled all their purposes and significance.
However, there are certain divinely approved instructions for New Testament believers who desire to walk with God, serve Him acceptably and make it to heaven at last. All these instructions are in the word of God. You are expected to read His word, love it, listen to its message, obey it wholeheartedly and teach others too.
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PRECEPTS FOR GOD’S APPOINTED FEASTS: Leviticus 23:1-44; 24:1-23
The command to observe certain feasts was given by God directly to Israel through Moses. These feasts were to serve important purposes in their relationship with God. Our Bible passage has a record of such feasts as follows:
(i)The Sabbath — Leviticus 23:3; Exodus 20:8-11.
This was to be observed on the 7th day of every week. It was to be a day of rest when the people will do no secular work. It is a day dedicated for the worship of God. God made the world in six days and on the seventh He rested. For New Testament believers, our day of worship and rest is Sunday, the first day of the week. This is because Jesus, our Lord and Saviour rose from the dead-on Sunday. Spend the day to honour God.
(ii) Passover feast – Leviticus 23:5.
God commanded the children of Israel to observe the Passover in remembrance of what He did for them in Egypt. On the night before the day of their deliverance, God commanded the children of Israel to kill a lamb, use the blood as mark of protection on their houses. They were also to eat the lamb with bitter herbs and bread without yeast. The mark of the blood protected all their firstborns from death. Today, Jesus is our Passover Lamb. As we celebrate the Lord Supper from time to time, we remember the sacrifice that Jesus did for our sins.
(iii) The feast of unleavened bread – Leviticus 23:5-8.
The children of Israel were to observe this after they entered Canaan, the Promised Land. The feast represented the consecration of God’s people based on their redemption from Egypt. Unleavened bread symbolized repentance from sin and consecration to God. Sinful children are called to repent from sin, turn from their bad ways and become true friends of Jesus.
(iv) Feast of first fruits — Leviticus 23:15-21.
This feast involves presenting a sheaf of the first of the barley (grain) harvest as a wave offering, making a burnt offering and a grain offering. This feast is in acknowledgement that the fruit came from the Lord. The first fruits were to be consecrated to the Lord, which pointed to the New Testament believer’s dedication of all his life to God.
(v) Feast of weeks – Leviticus 23:15-21.
This is also called the feast of Pentecost. It is a one-day feast dedicated to God’s worship in which all works are suspended. This feast signifies that the harvest season has begun. The great harvest of souls into the kingdom occurred during the feast of Pentecost. The power of the Holy Ghost fell, Peter preached and three thousand souls were converted that day. The Pentecostal power is still available to help you do exploits for God.
(vi) Feast of tabernacle – Leviticus 23:34-43.
During this feast, the people leave their houses and live in temporary booths or tents made from tree branches. This act reminded the people of God’s goodness to them during their forty years in the wilderness when they had no permanent dwelling place. It was also a period to celebrate the conclusion of the harvest of fruits and nuts. Other feasts appointed for the children of Israel are – the feast of trumpets and
(vii) Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:23-32).
There are important symbols associated with the celebration of these feast like the show bread – holy bread meant for the priest and pure olive oil to burn continually and lighten the temple. Today the word of God is the bread of life made available for everybody. Read it, chew it and let it become part of your life. Also, the oil is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. You need Him to build up your Christian faith and empower you to do exploits and offer acceptable service unto the Lord.
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PURPOSE OF GOD’S APPOINTED FEASTS: Leviticus 23:1-44; 24:1-23
God wanted Israel to think about spiritual things, especially about their covenant relationship with Him. This is the most important reason for the feasts. Other reasons include.
- Serving as reminder of how God delivered them in the past from Egypt. As a friend of Jesus, you should always remember how God saved you from sin, then dedicate your life to serve Him more and live a holy life.
- Encouragement for them to keep on serving God and for the younger ones to trust and serve the Lord in all their generations.
- Strengthening their faith in God so that they will not forsake the Lord to serve idols.
Friends of Jesus must continually meditate on God’s mercies and goodness and how to please Him in all their ways (Colossians 3:1-4). The feast of Passover serves as a reminder of their miraculous preservation and deliverance. Jesus Christ is our Passover Lamb who took away our sins and the consequences we ought to bear. At the last commemoration of the Passover, Jesus commanded His friends to start observing the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:17-29). The Lord’s Supper serves as remembrance of Jesus’ death and resurrection and His promise to come again to take us to heaven. How prepared are you? If you are not saved, this is the time to repent, turn from all sins and accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour. Then when He comes, you will be qualified to go with Him to the marriage feast of the Lamb.
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PREPARATION FOR THE GREAT FEAST: Leviticus 23:1,2; 24:1-3; Revelation 19:1-9.
The time is drawing nearer for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. This will take place in heaven immediately after the rapture of the saints (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). This study is an encouragement for all friends of Jesus to get ready for the great feast. Do not look back like Lot’s wife. Never forsake the Lord like Demas. Be steadfast, unmovable and live a holy life in expectation of His coming.
QUESTIONS:
- Mention the different feasts ordained for the children of Israel.
- Explain their significance.
- Enumerate the purposes of these feasts.
- What feast did Jesus’ command believers to observe till He comes?
- What is the great feast that will take place after the rapture?
- How should a child prepare for this great feast?
MEMORY VERSE: “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts” (Leviticus 23:1,2).
LESSON: God’s desire is that all His children serve Him faithfully and acceptably.
THOUGHT: I will serve God faithfully and acceptably.
ACTIVITY: Group discussion – children should discuss the differences and similarities between the Passover feast and the Lord’s Supper.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 42 – CLOSE TO THEE
CHORUSES:
(1) Let the dew of heaven fall upon my thirsting soul.
(2) I am ready to obey Thy word.
(3) Keep me through Lord Jesus.
HOMEWORK: Prayer for grace to be ready for the rapture.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
- Feast
- Divine
- Significance
- Sabbath
- Passover.
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