The observance of feasts and Sabbaths is a significant aspect of biblical worship and religious practice, deeply rooted in the traditions and commandments given to the Israelites. These observances are not only acts of worship but also serve as reminders of God's covenant, His acts of deliverance, and His provision for His people.

Sabbath Observance

The Sabbath, observed on the seventh day of the week, is a day of rest and worship, instituted by God at creation. Genesis 2:2-3 states, "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished." The Sabbath is further codified in the Ten Commandments, where it is described as a day of rest for all, including servants and animals (Exodus 20:8-11).

The Sabbath serves as a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, as noted in Exodus 31:16-17 : "The Israelites must keep the Sabbath, celebrating it as a permanent covenant for the generations to come. It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed."

Feasts of Israel

The feasts of Israel, also known as the "appointed times," are outlined primarily in Leviticus 23. These feasts are both commemorative and prophetic, celebrating historical events and foreshadowing future fulfillment in God's redemptive plan.

1. Passover (Pesach) and the Feast of Unleavened Bread: Passover commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, as described in Exodus 12. It is followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a seven-day period during which no leaven is consumed, symbolizing purity and separation from sin (Leviticus 23:5-8).

2. Feast of Firstfruits: Celebrated during the barley harvest, this feast acknowledges God's provision and is a time of thanksgiving. It is also seen as a type of Christ's resurrection, as He is the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20).

3. Feast of Weeks (Shavuot or Pentecost): Occurring fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits, this feast marks the wheat harvest and the giving of the Law at Sinai. It is fulfilled in the New Testament with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).

4. Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah): This feast marks the beginning of the civil year and is a call to repentance and preparation for the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:23-25).

5. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur): A solemn day of fasting and repentance, it is the most holy day of the Jewish calendar, focusing on atonement and reconciliation with God (Leviticus 23:26-32).

6. Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot): This feast celebrates the Israelites' journey in the wilderness and God's provision. It is a time of joy and thanksgiving, looking forward to the Messianic age (Leviticus 23:33-43).

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is seen as the fulfillment of the Law and the feasts. Colossians 2:16-17 states, "Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ." The early church grappled with the observance of these feasts, as seen in Acts 15 and the epistles, where the focus shifted to the spiritual realities they represented.

The observance of feasts and Sabbaths remains a topic of theological reflection and practice within the Christian community, with varying interpretations and applications across different denominations.