On that same day you are to proclaim a sacred assembly, and you must not do any regular work. This is to be a permanent statute wherever you live for the generations to come. On that same dayThis phrase refers to the Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost, which occurs fifty days after the offering of the firstfruits. It is a specific day set apart by God for His people to gather and celebrate His provision. The timing emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's appointed times and the rhythm of sacred time in Israel's calendar. you are to proclaim a sacred assembly
A sacred assembly, or "holy convocation," is a gathering of the people for worship and reflection. This assembly underscores the communal aspect of worship in Israel, where the community comes together to honor God. It reflects the importance of corporate worship and unity among God's people, a theme echoed in the New Testament church gatherings. and you must not do any regular work
The prohibition against regular work highlights the day's sanctity and sets it apart from ordinary days. It is a time for rest and focus on spiritual matters, similar to the Sabbath. This rest is a reminder of God's provision and a call to trust in Him rather than in human labor. It also foreshadows the rest found in Christ, as mentioned in Hebrews 4:9-10. This is to be a permanent statute
The term "permanent statute" indicates the lasting nature of this command. It is not a temporary or situational law but one intended to be observed continually. This permanence points to the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people and His unchanging character. wherever you live
This phrase extends the command beyond the geographical boundaries of Israel, indicating that the observance is not limited to the land but is applicable to the people of God wherever they reside. It suggests the universality of God's laws and the idea that His people are to maintain their identity and practices regardless of their location. for the generations to come
The inclusion of future generations emphasizes the importance of teaching and passing down God's commands. It reflects the biblical principle of generational faithfulness and the responsibility of each generation to instruct the next in the ways of the Lord. This continuity is seen in the New Testament as the faith is passed from the apostles to the early church and beyond. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelitesThe primary audience of the Levitical laws, including the instructions for sacred assemblies and observance of holy days. 2. Sacred AssemblyA gathering of the Israelites for worship and observance of God's appointed times, emphasizing community and holiness. 3. Feast of Weeks (Shavuot)The specific festival being referenced, occurring 50 days after the Passover, celebrating the firstfruits of the wheat harvest and later associated with the giving of the Torah at Sinai. 4. MosesThe mediator of God's laws to the Israelites, including the instructions found in Leviticus. 5. Promised LandThe land where these statutes were to be observed, symbolizing God's covenant and provision for His people. Teaching Points The Importance of Community WorshipThe sacred assembly underscores the importance of gathering together as a community to worship God. This principle remains vital for the church today, encouraging believers to prioritize communal worship and fellowship. Rest as a Divine CommandThe prohibition of regular work during sacred times highlights the importance of rest and reflection. In a busy world, setting aside time for rest and spiritual renewal is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship with God. Perpetual ObservanceThe command for a "permanent statute" reminds us of the enduring nature of God's instructions. While the specific festivals may not be observed in the same way today, the principles of worship, rest, and remembrance are timeless. Celebrating God's ProvisionThe Feast of Weeks was a time to celebrate God's provision through the harvest. Today, believers can apply this by recognizing and giving thanks for God's ongoing provision in their lives. Anticipating Fulfillment in ChristThe connection between the Feast of Weeks and Pentecost points to the fulfillment of Old Testament festivals in Christ. Believers are encouraged to see how Christ fulfills the law and to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of a "sacred assembly" in Leviticus 23:21 apply to the modern church's practice of gathering for worship? 2. In what ways can we incorporate the principle of rest from this passage into our weekly routines? 3. How does the observance of the Feast of Weeks in the Old Testament connect to the events of Pentecost in the New Testament? 4. What are some practical ways we can celebrate and give thanks for God's provision in our lives today? 5. How can understanding the fulfillment of Old Testament festivals in Christ deepen our appreciation for the New Testament teachings? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 23:16This verse also discusses the Feast of Weeks, connecting the celebration to the harvest and God's provision. Acts 2:1-4The New Testament fulfillment of the Feast of Weeks, known as Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers. Hebrews 10:25Encourages believers not to forsake assembling together, drawing a parallel to the sacred assemblies commanded in Leviticus. Deuteronomy 16:9-12Provides additional details on the observance of the Feast of Weeks, emphasizing joy and gratitude. People Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces TemanTopics Age-during, Assembly, Convocation, Dwelling, Dwellings, Everlasting, Field-work, Forever, Generations, Hold, Holy, Laborious, Lasting, Manner, Meeting, Ordinance, Perpetual, Places, Proclaim, Proclaimed, Proclamation, Regular, Rule, Sacred, Selfsame, Self-same, Servile, Statute, Therein, Throughout, WhereverDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 23:21 5338 holiday
7404 ordinances
8270 holiness, set apart Leviticus 23:9-22 8644 commemoration Leviticus 23:15-21 4506 seed
4975 week
7355 feasts and festivals, nature of
8642 celebration Leviticus 23:15-22 4208 land, divine responsibility Library The Consecration of Joy
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 34. Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord. 35. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 36. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord; on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureOf a Private Fast.
That we may rightly perform a private fast, four things are to be observed:--First, The author; Secondly, The time and occasion; Thirdly, The manner; Fourthly, The ends of private fasting. 1. Of the Author. The first that ordained fasting was God himself in paradise; and it was the first law that God made, in commanding Adam to abstain from eating the forbidden fruit. God would not pronounce nor write his law without fasting (Lev. xxiii), and in his law commands all his people to fast. So does our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
IT was the last, the great day of the Feast,' and Jesus was once more in the Temple. We can scarcely doubt that it was the concluding day of the Feast, and not, as most modern writers suppose, its Octave, which, in Rabbinic language, was regarded as a festival by itself.' [3987] [3988] But such solemn interest attaches to the Feast, and this occurrence on its last day, that we must try to realise the scene. We have here the only Old Testament type yet unfilfilled; the only Jewish festival which has …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes - Examination of their Distinctive Doctrines.
APART from the repulsively carnal form which it had taken, there is something absolutely sublime in the continuance and intensity of the Jewish expectation of the Messiah. It outlived not only the delay of long centuries, but the persecutions and scattering of the people; it continued under the disappointment of the Maccabees, the rule of a Herod, the administration of a corrupt and contemptible Priesthood, and, finally, the government of Rome as represented by a Pilate; nay, it grew in intensity …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Chronology
45. The length of the public ministry of Jesus was one of the earliest questions which arose in the study of the four gospels. In the second and third centuries it was not uncommon to find the answer in the passage from Isaiah (lxi. 1, 2), which Jesus declared was fulfilled in himself. "The acceptable year of the Lord" was taken to indicate that the ministry covered little more than a year. The fact that the first three gospels mention but one Passover (that at the end), and but one journey to Jerusalem, …
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth "But if the Spirit of Him that Raised up Jesus from the Dead Dwell in You, He that Raised up Christ from the Dead Shall Also
Rom. viii. 11.--"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." It is true the soul is incomparably better than the body, and he is only worthy the name of a man and of a Christian who prefers this more excellent part, and employs his study and time about it, and regards his body only for the noble guest that lodges within it, and therefore it is one of the …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Jesus Living at Nazareth and visiting Jerusalem in his Twelfth Year.
(Nazareth and Jerusalem, a.d. 7 or 8.) ^C Luke II. 40-52. ^c 40 And the child grew [This verse contains the history of thirty years. It describes the growth of our Lord as a natural, human growth (compare Luke i. 80); for, though Jesus was truly divine, he was also perfectly man. To try to distinguish between the divine and human in Jesus, is to waste time upon an impracticable mystery which is too subtle for our dull and finite minds], and waxed strong [His life expanded like other human lives. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Healing Peter's Mother-In-Law and Many Others.
(at Capernaum.) ^A Matt. VIII. 14-17; ^B Mark I. 29-34; ^C Luke IV. 38-41. ^c 38 And he arose out of the synagogue [where he had just healed the demoniac], ^b 29 And straightway, when they were come out of the synagogue, they came { ^c entered} ^b into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. [Peter and Andrew had dwelt at Bethsaida (John i. 44). They may have removed to Capernaum, or Bethsaida, being near by, may be here counted as a part, or suburb, of Capernaum. Its name does not contradict …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision A. Jesus Cleanses the Temple. ^D John II. 13-25. ^d 13 And the passover of the Jews was at hand [We get our information as to the length of our Lord's ministry from John's Gospel. He groups his narrative around six Jewish festivals: 1, He here mentions the first passover; 2, another feast, which we take to have been also a passover (v. 1); 3, another passover (vi. 4); 4, the feast of tabernacles (vii. 2); 5, dedication (x. 22); 6, passover (xi. 55). This …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
(from Bethany to Jerusalem and Back, Sunday, April 2, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXI. 1-12, 14-17; ^B Mark XI. 1-11; ^C Luke XIX. 29-44; ^D John XII. 12-19. ^c 29 And ^d 12 On the morrow [after the feast in the house of Simon the leper] ^c it came to pass, when he he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, ^a 1 And when they came nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage unto { ^b at} ^a the mount of Olives [The name, Bethphage, is said to mean house of figs, but the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Leviticus 23:21 NIVLeviticus 23:21 NLTLeviticus 23:21 ESVLeviticus 23:21 NASBLeviticus 23:21 KJV
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