There are feast days and then there are feast days. Leviticus 23 has both.
Most of this chapter is relegated to the seven annual feasts that every Jew must partake of. They’re pretty straightforward and also connect with the agricultural calendar, allowing Israel to not only enjoy the blessings but also remember where they came from.
But before Moses launches out into that discussion, he reminds them yet again of the importance of the Sabbath.
Why is that necessary, though? It was already one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20; 35), reiterated again in Exodus 31, and then used metaphorically to talk about the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). Throughout the rest of Leviticus, it’ll be used four more times to talk about the year of Jubilee and the Sabbath Year (Leviticus 25). This emphasis on rest and sacred time underscores the rhythm of worship and community life in ancient Israel. Furthermore, the concept of ‘holy gifts in Leviticus 22:10‘ illustrates the importance of offering and dedication in maintaining a relationship with God. These practices were not just about obedience but also about fostering a deeper understanding of holiness and the sanctity of time within the covenant community. In this context, it’s evident that the importance of these commandments extends beyond mere repetition; they serve as foundational principles of community and spiritual health. Additionally, the concept of being ‘unclean until evening explained‘ highlights the ritualistic observances that underscore the necessity for purity and separation in the sacred practices of the Israelites. This continuous emphasis on cleanliness reflects the profound relationship between the physical and spiritual realms within their faith.
In other words, there already has been—and will be more—a lot of discussion about the Sabbath. Why sneak it in again with the mention of the feast days?
The only plausible reason is that the definition of the Sabbath expands to include multiple use cases in addition to the literal one of taking a physical day off. The land sabbath talks about rest for the land (even though land can’t “rest” like a human can), while the year of Jubilee forces the economic climate to “rest.”
Even though it’s only one day a week, the weekly sabbath sets the rhythm for the rest of the calendar. There’s work, then there’s rest—just like God did in creation.
And, just like the actual feast days themselves, the sabbath is a weekly reflection of Israel’s relationship with God. God didn’t just want His people to think about Him seven times a year—He wanted them to consistently meditate on God’s provisions every single week.
Which one of those is your habit? According to one Gallup poll, only 20% of Americans attend church every week. That number is actually on the decline, with a growing percentage of people not attending at all. Perhaps surprisingly, Millennials are the ones driving the growth in weekly church attendance.
That might not define you. If you read this blog, chances are you are most likely a regular church goer.
But if you’re not, you may honestly believe that your attendance is only really necessary during the two days considered by many to be religious holidays: Christmas and Easter.
Those two days aren’t any more special than other days, though. Like the Jews, Christians seemed to meet every single week, and most likely, for the exact same type of purpose: to spend time together meditating on God and His blessings (especially salvation).
Additionally, Galatians 4:10 argues that observing “days and months and seasons and years” is actually a sign of immaturity. Those are “weak and worthless” things that only mark time; the true sign of growth is a continual desire to commune with God.
But lest the people begin to depart from Him, God mandated a weekly Sabbath observance—a miniature feast day, if you will. It was never intended to be a chore though; instead, it was designed to be a blessing (Mark 2:27). This weekly celebration serves as a reminder of God’s provision and grace, fostering a deeper relationship with Him and one another. Furthermore, it sets the stage for other significant observances, such as Pentecost and its significance, which celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. Together, these moments underscore the divine rhythms meant to enrich believers’ lives and strengthen their faith.
And what a blessing it is! Church attendance isn’t a burden to Christians who want to spend time with other Christians celebrating God’s glory. If it is, then it might be time to re-evaluate where our heart is focused.
