Day 63-11

V From the Exodus to the Crossing into Canaan - 1462-1422 B.C. ~ cont.

(1462 - 982 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1)

D. From Kadesh-Barnea to crossing of Jordan ~ cont.

5. Settling down in plains of Moab, east of Jordan ~ cont.

g. Diverse laws given or reviewed ~ cont.

(2) Passover (Apr 14-21) - Numbers 28:1-31

(3) Feast of Trumpets and Tabernacles (Oct) - Numbers 29:1-40

(4) Laws about vows - Numbers 30:1-16

{pages 279-283}

Passover ~ Feast of Trumpets ~ Tabernacles

The above graphic taken from the Seven Feasts of Israel.

Every time I come across one of the Feasts (usually Passover), I review and study, research and pray, seek and ask.  :-D

I will eventually get to where I am going, which is to know, with certainty whether or not participating in the Feasts is honoring to Him.  If they are an ongoing memorialization of the work of Jesus Christ which the Bride is and/or should recognize.

I particularly liked this article by Awareness Ministry about Why Christians Celebrate Biblical Memorial Days.

I have browsed other sites and while the list below is in no way exhaustive, gives those who want to research a few avenues of exploration.  Some are for, some against...some middle of the ground.  I have read some of the articles in their entirety, browsed others, hopped, skipped and jumped around on some of the other pages.

Praying that those who are seeking to know more about the Feasts of the Lord will find HIS answers in and through their search.  Blessings!

In no particular order, my 'offerings':

Focus on Jerusalem

How did Jesus fulfill the meanings of the Jewish Feasts?

3 Feasts of Israel

Should New Testament Christians Keep the Passover?

Should Christians Keep the Passover (this one is brief)

Why don't Christians celebrate Passover (without the lamb sacrifice because Jesus did it once and for all) like the Messianic Jews do?  (I briefly) skimmed through this one...seems more of a forum posting site.

Why I Keep the Biblical Feasts - I liked this one, as it gives the person's perspective on why they are holding their position/practice.

Why Should You and I Keep the Feast Days? - another person position.

Are Christians required to observe the feasts of the Old Testament?

I will note, some of the articles focus on either Israel or Jewish feasts.  However, Scripture (and some of the articles) substantiate that God calls them MY feasts.  They are HIS, to this I would hardily agree.

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 23:2)

and

Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.   (2 Chronicles 2:4)

Day 54-11

V From the Exodus to the Crossing into Canaan - 1462-1422 B.C. ~ cont.

(1462 - 982 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1)

B. Time spent at Sinai (sometimes called Horeb) ~ cont.

33.  God reminds children of Israel to keep Passover - Numbers 9:1-4
34.  First Passover held - Numbers 9:5-14
35.  Preparation for leaving Sinai
a. Numbering of the people (603,550) - Numbers 1:1-54
b. Arrangement of the camp
(1) General order - Numbers 2:1-2, 17, 32-34
(2) Eastern division - Numbers 2:3-9
(3) Southern division - Numbers 2:10-16
(4) Western division - Numbers 2:18-24
(5) Northern division - Numbers 2:25-31

{pages 238-243}

Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.  (Numbers 2:2)

standard - H1714 - From H1713; a flag.

• H1713 - A primitive root; to flaunt, that is, raise a flag; figuratively to be conspicuous.

ensign - H226 - Probably from H225 (in the sense of appearing); a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.

• H225 - A primitive root; properly to come, that is, (impliedly) to assent.

One site I reviewed stated that an actual flag may not have been used due to the primitiveness of the culture.

Really?  Primitive?

That captured my attention.  Here we have master craftsmen who have followed a heavenly design, and carved, molded and weaved an elaborate Tabernacle.  I think if they did have flags, they were very well designed and not, as one poster on the site described, vexilloids.

Just to satisfy curiosity, the definition of a vexilloid:  "An object which functions as a flag but differs from it in some respect, usually appearance. Vexilloids are characteristic of traditional societies and often consist of a staff with an emblem, such as a carved animal, at the top."

I went searching for what may have been on the flags and found this site and this one.  These look 'primative' in their design, but still are worth the review.  I even found a youtube video, but did not think the quality and view-ability of the flags worth inclusion.  This page had stamps.  I retrieved most of my information from Flags of the Tribes of Israel page.

I found this article, which also referenced that there may have been a flag per division.  Which I would say nay to...simply because the Word clearly states "with the ensign of their father's house."  So per tribe flags.

I found this article while researching and was impressed with the observation portion.  Sharing:

3. Everything was positioned in relation to the presence of God, the tabernacle. God could have described where the tribe of Judah was in relation to the tribe of Dan, but He did not. The reference point was always God Himself.

a. It is hard to underestimate the trouble people get into in their walk with God because they position and measure themselves in reference to other people. God is to be our focus, not other people.

I had recently listened to a message online, directed toward youth at a conference, however the message is applicable to all saints.  We are not to measure ourselves in comparison to others.  Our plumb line is the Lord.

Father tells us to be holy and set apart.  Just as HE brought Israel up out of bondage, so too, HE brings us into new life and we are not to mimic the behavior, conduct, conversation of our previous land.  We are to give a proper estimate of our Heavenly home to which we are but brief ambassadors on this side of glory.

Day 51-11

V From the Exodus to the Crossing into Canaan - 1462-1422 B.C. ~ cont.

(1462 - 982 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1)

B. Time spent at Sinai (sometimes called Horeb) ~ cont.
26. Moral instructions
a. Nakedness and immorality- Leviticus 18:1-30
b. Familiar spirits - Leviticus 20:1-6, 27
27. National feast day instructions - Leviticus 23:1-3
a. Passover - Leviticus 23:4-5
b. Unleavened bread - Leviticus 23:6-8
c. First-fruits - Leviticus 23:9-14
d. Wave-loaves (Pentecost) - Leviticus 23:15-22
e. Trumpets - Leviticus 23:23-25
f.  Day of Atonement - Leviticus 23:26-32
g. Tabernacles - Leviticus 23:33-44

{pages 225-229}

And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul and will cut him off from among his people.  (Leviticus 20:6)

familiar spirits - H178 - From the same as H1 (apparently through the idea of prattling a father’s name); properly a mumble, that is, a water skin (from its hollow sound); hence a necromancer (ventriloquist, as from a jar).

Used 17x in 16 verses - first used in Leviticus 19:31, most often translated as familiar spirits, but in Job 32:19:

Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

wizards - H3049 - From H3045; properly a knowing one; specifically a conjurer; (by implication) a ghost.

• H3049 - A primitive root; to know (properly to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively instruction, designation, punishment, etc.).

Used 11x in 11 verses - also used first in Leviticus 19:31, always translated as wizard.

turneth - H6437 - A primitive root; to turn; by implication to face, that is, appear, look, etc.

Father is pretty adamant about turning away His face and cutting off the offender.  I got stuck here, trying to figure out how to say what I wanted without coming across with a holier than thou attitude, nor one that seems as if I am a Negative Nan.  :-D

The gist of my impression, after reading this day's passage and the next couple of days, and how Father expects obedience and to not give Him the full measure results in discipline, has to do with reverential fear, respect, honor.

He has a standard and I, as well as the church, fall woefully short.  Offering a minuscule amount of time to 'worship' or reading through some 5 minute devotion does not properly prepare our hearts and minds to reverence and honor the Master.  We, as the church, do not take our relationship with Him as seriously as we ought.  There is far too many 'programs' and 'ministries' and a lack of true study of the Word.  I say this not just to the Bride, but to myself as well.

Lord, forgive us for the times we 'play' church, or give the appearance of worship, when our hearts and minds are far from You.  Forgive us, Your people, Lord for not being diligent to study to show ourselves approved.  Lord, cleanse Your Bride, reveal those who are ear ticklers, and false prophets and teachers.  Quicken the mind and the discernment of Your people for such charlatans.  Help us, Your people, Lord NOT to have ears that are desirous of being tickled, but truly and honestly desire a deeper and more intimate relationship with You.

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.  Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein; it is the sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.  (Leviticus 23:1-3)

Our pastor/teacher just covered this passage recently and brought to our attention that the Lord starts out detailing the feasts of Israel by emphasizing the 7th day.  I find that to be an interesting thought.  He further went on to add that Father had a significance to this day of rest, which would have been alien to the Israelites who had just come out of Egypt.  I can not even image working and working and working with no time off at all.  Everybody needs a down day.

I have been wrestling with this topic of a Sabbath for quite some time and whether it is applicable to the church.  There are numerous people posturing pro and con.  I found this article, The Sabbath Day, Moral Law or Ceremonial Law to be thought provoking and informative.

Passover:  I have, for quite some time, not been a participant in Easter, believing it to have no Scriptural warrant.

I was browsing for information regarding Passover vs Easter vs Resurrection, and came across two articles which also piqued my curiosity.  I had to re-read the paragraph below at least 3 times to make sure I had understood what was being stated.  From the article, Holidays or Holy Days, Does It Matter What Days We Observe?

"Although Christ's resurrection is an important basis of our hope that we, too, can be resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:17; Romans 5:10), and it was critical for God's plan of salvation to continue, neither God the Father, Christ nor Scripture has ever explicitly directed us to celebrate this event."

Many churches do not participate in Passover, and some have (thankfully) left off the practice of "Easter celebrations" and donned the practice of "Resurrection Sunday."

The question now, in my mind, is there any Biblical substantiation for having a day to remember the resurrection? To which did the early church give credence to the remembrance of? The resurrection or the death of our Savior? The resurrection, just as Jesus' birth, did not propitiate the wrath of God, only the sacrifice of a sinless Lamb could suffice. The birth and resurrection substantiated the divine nature of Christ and the acceptance of the sacrifice.

This article, The Resurrection-Appearances and the Origin of Sunday Observance had information on both the Resurrection and the Sabbath that I found thought provoking.  I am still fence sitting on the issue of the Sabbath, but will continue to seek the Lord in understanding what HE wants.  May each of you be blessed abundantly as you press into HIM, seeking and desiring to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Day 31

IV From the Patriarchs to the Exodus - 1606 - 1462 B.C. ~ cont.

F. Moses, the deliverer ~ cont.

4. The ten plagues ~ cont.

i. Darkness - Exodus 10:21-23, 24-27
j. Pharoah cancels negotiations - Exodus 10:28-29
k. Killing of the firstborn
(1) Warning - Exodus 11:1-8
(2) Pharoah's heart hardened - Exodus 11:9-10
(3) Passover instructions - Exodus 12:3-12
(4) Importance of the blood - Exodus 12:13-27
(5) Obeyed by Israel - Exodus 12:28
(6) First born killed, Passover kept - Exodus 12:29
5. From Goshen to the Red Sea
a. Egyptians demand immediate departure - Exodus 12:30-36
b. Deliverance begins - Exodus 12:40-42; Numbers 33-1-4
c. From Ramses to Succoth - Exodus 12:37; Numbers 33:5
d. At Succoth - Exodus 12:38-51

...And he (Moses) went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.  (Exodus 11:8)

A great anger, I was pondering why Moses would be in such a state.  Prior to understanding the doctrine of election, I would be frustrated (not angry) and how people could not grasp the magnitude of the sacrifice made by Christ.  Father has graciously opened my understanding and made me realize, that unless HE opens the understanding of a person, they can not grasp HIM, His mercy, truth, favor, etc. etc.  Just as Pharaoh was hardened again and again.  He could see the natural, but not the spiritual.

great - H2750 - From H2734; a burning (that is, intense) anger.

• H2734 - A primitive root (compare H2787); to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy.

H2750 is used 6 times in 6 verses - Exodus 11:8; Deuteronomy 29:24; 1 Samuel 20:34; 2 Chronicles 25:10; Isaiah 7:4; Lamentations 2:3.

1 Samuel 20:34 - So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved  for David, because his father had done him shame.

Always translated fierce or great.

anger - H639 - From H599; properly the nose or nostril; hence the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire.

• H599 - A primitive root; to breathe hard, that is, be enraged.

H639 used 276 times in 269 verses.  Wow.  The first time in:

Genesis 2:7 - And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

This is the same word which Father uses to express Himself when Moses is arguing about being HIS mouthpiece.

Exodus 4:14 - And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses...

Numbers 11:1 - And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.

Browsing through the first verse of each chapter which had H639.  Quite a few of them are similar to the one stated above.  Frightening thought.  Israel seemed to be in a continual cycle of causing the Lord's anger to kindle against them.  Then I came across this one:

1 Samuel 1:5 - But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.

I found that intriguing that the word is translated worthy ~ was it due to the passion Elkanah had for her?

In 2 Samuel 6:7 the Lord's anger is kindled against Uzzah for touching the ark.  This is a poignant reminder that Father has a set of rules.  He has stated what HE wants, likes, desires, expects and we are required to avail ourselves of learning what is most pleasing to Him.

K&D commentary:

With this announcement Moses departed from Pharaoh in great wrath. Moses' wrath was occasioned by the king's threat (Exo_10:28), and pointed to the wrath of Jehovah, which Pharaoh would soon experience. As the more than human patience which Moses had displayed towards Pharaoh manifested to him the long-suffering and patience of his God, in whose name and by whose authority he acted, so the wrath of the departing servant of God was to show to the hardened king, that the time of grace was at an end, and the wrath of God was about to burst upon him.