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Part 9
Seven Major Festivals
Passover - Exodus 12:14: "This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever." Passover is a festival where the Israelites commemorate their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. They are commanded to offer a Passover lamb sacrifice and eat unleavened bread to remember God's salvation.
Feast of Unleavened Bread - Exodus 23:15: "You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you shall eat unleavened bread for seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt." The Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately follows Passover and lasts for seven days. During this time, people are prohibited from eating leavened food to symbolize the removal of sin and wickedness from their lives.
Feast of Firstfruits - Leviticus 23:10-11: "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land that I give you and reap its harvest, you shall bring the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest, and he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, so that you may be accepted." The Feast of Firstfruits celebrates the first harvest of the crops. People are to bring the firstfruits of their harvest to the priest as an offering, expressing gratitude and dependence on God.
Feast of Weeks (also known as Pentecost) - Leviticus 23:15-16: "You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you shall present a grain offering of new grain to the Lord." The Feast of Weeks is an important festival during the harvest season and is the origin of Pentecost. People are to offer new grain cakes to God, thanking Him for the abundance of the harvest.
Feast of Trumpets - Leviticus 23:24: "Speak to the people of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation." The Feast of Trumpets is a festival that proclaims the beginning of a new year. People are to blow trumpets and engage in special worship to express desires and prayers.
Day of Atonement - Leviticus 23:27: "Now on the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be for you a time of holy convocation, and you shall afflict yourselves and present a food offering to the Lord." The Day of Atonement is the most solemn festival of the year. People are to fast, repent, and present sin offerings to seek God's forgiveness and salvation.
Feast of Tabernacles - Leviticus 23:34: "Speak to the people of Israel, saying, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month and for seven days is the Feast of Booths to the Lord." The Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Feast of Booths, is the most joyful festival of the year. People are to dwell in temporary shelters to commemorate God leading the Israelites to live in tents after their exodus from Egypt.
