There are so many different views on the Biblical feast days. Some say we have no need to observe them, some say we must follow every detail of the Bible concerning them, while others follow the traditions of the Jews when observing the feast days. But what is the “right way?”

(Links take you to scripture references)

Let’s first think, is there a need to observe the Biblical Feast days?

Many say these are “Jewish” Feast Days… But what does the Bible say?

Leviticus 23:1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ² “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the Lord that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are my appointed feasts.

Leviticus 23:44 Thus Moses declared to the people of Israel the appointed feasts of the Lord.

It seems clear that God considers them HIS feast days. The word translated to “feasts” in the scripture is the word “Mo’ed” which means “appointment.” So these seven days of the year God called the children of Israel to observe His divine “appointments.” These are days which He set aside to meet with His children for a special reason. I like to think of these days as “dates with God.” If God asked me to meet Him for a date on a certain day each year, you can bet your bottom dollar I want to be there!!

So, who are the children of Israel… the Jews right?

Yes, the Jewish people are part of Israel, but not only the Jewish people.

Exodus 12:49 ⁴⁹ There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.”

Leviticus 19:33-34 …You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you…

Ezekiel 47:21-23 …the sojourners who reside among you and have had children among you.They shall be to you as native-born children of Israel. With you they shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel…

Much like how Ruth became part of Israel.

Ruth 1:16 ..Your people shall be my people, and your God my God…

When we choose to worship the God of Israel we become part of Israel!

Is there still a need to keep the feasts since Jesus?

Four times in Leviticus 23 it is said concerning the feasts “It is a statute forever throughout your generations.”

And Jesus himself said…

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil(1). For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (2).
(Matthew 5:17-18)

1. The word for fulfil means to “fully preach”

plēroō
play-ro’-o
From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: – accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.

1. The word for fulfilled means “come to pass”
   

ginomai
ghin’-om-ahee
A prolonged and middle form of a primary verb; to cause to be (“gen” -erate), that is, (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literally, figuratively, intensively, etc.): – arise be assembled, be (come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, be done, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.

The Word says then that Jesus came to fully preach the law, to give us a deeper better understanding of the law but that it was not to be done away with until all has come to pass. There is a reason He commanded the feasts and there is a reason Jesus said commandments will not pass away.

But the feast days are all about sacrificing animals but Jesus is our sacrifice!!

True!! But…

The Feast days are said to be a “shadow of things to come” that reflect Christ. This is evident in the spring feasts with Christ being our Passover lamb & our Unleavened Bread and our First Fruits, and sending the Holy Spirit that changes hearts on Pentecost.

Seeing how the spring feasts were fulfilled in the first coming we can fully expect the fall feasts of Trumpets, Atonement, & Tabernacles to be fulfilled on His second coming!!

So the spring feasts we celebrate in remembrance and the fall feasts we celebrate in anticipation!!

Since we do not do the sacrifices as stated in the Bible to observe the feast days, what are we suppose to do? Do we just “opt out” of doing anything?

Surely not! We just use a spiritual sacrifice in the place of blood!!

O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
(Psalms 51:15-17)

The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.
(Jeremiah 33:11)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
(Romans 12:1)

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
(Hebrews 13:15)

There are many ways to worship, praise and honor God with our life!! Explore your personal talents and gifts and find ways to give God the sacrifice of praise during His special appointed times!!

If you want to follow the Jewish people’s lead and carry out their traditions because they make you feel closer to our Messiah then do that, it is a beautiful way to feel closer to HIM! There are a few links below that can help you see how to celebrate the Feasts of Messiah!

If you want to make up your own traditions then do so, as long as the traditions are not unholy ways of celebration! The whole idea is to honor God on His requested days, pray about it, ask HIM how you can honor Him with your worship, I am sure He will lead you to a way of worship that will be pleasing to Him and spiritually fulfilling for you!

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

(1 Corinthians 5:8)

Love and Blessings,

Becky

Links on how to “Keep the Feast”

A Simplified Overview of the Feasts of the Lord

How to Celebrate God’s Festivals Today

Books:

A Family Guide to Biblical Holidays: with Activities for All Ages (aff link)

The Feasts of the Lord (aff link)

If you have questions feel free to ask in the comments below I will do my best to answer any questions you may have.

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