Leviticus 23: The Seven Feasts and Messianic Fulfillment

Jul 19, 2024

Leviticus 23: The Seven Feasts and Messianic Fulfillment

Lecturer: Gideon Levitan

Introduction

  • Ministry: Shalom Holy Scriptures and Israel
  • Purpose: To share the message of Jesus/Yeshua the Messiah with Jewish people and educate Christians on their faith’s Jewish roots.
  • Focus: Study the Book of Leviticus, Chapter 23, to understand its prophetic significance.

Main Ideas

  1. The Seven Feasts: An Overview

    • Passover (Pesach)
    • Feast of Unleavened Bread
    • Feast of Firstfruits
    • Additional feasts to be discussed later.

  2. Passover (Pesach)

    • Represents the coming of the Messiah as the Lamb of God.
    • Fulfillment: Jesus/Yeshua's sacrificial death.

  3. Feast of Unleavened Bread

    • Leaven (yeast) symbolizes evil, unleavened bread symbolizes sinlessness.
    • Fulfillment: Represents the sinlessness of Jesus/Yeshua.

  4. Feast of Firstfruits

    • Instructions in Leviticus 23:9-14 for offering firstfruits when entering the Promised Land.
    • Israel was commanded to offer a sheaf (Omer) of firstfruits on the day after the Sabbath (Sunday).
    • Fulfillment: Jesus/Yeshua’s resurrection, the first to rise in eternal life.

Scriptural References and Prophetic Fulfillment

  1. Passover and Unleavened Bread in Relation to Jesus/Yeshua

    • Passover: Lamb’s blood pointed to the Messiah’s sacrificial death.
    • Unleavened Bread: Israel celebrating within the week of Passover.
    • Scripture: John 1:29 - “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

  2. Feast of Firstfruits

    • Jesus/Yeshua’s Resurrection: Fulfilled by his rising from the dead (Psalm 16:10).
    • Scripture: “For Thou will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will Thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”
    • Significance: Jesus/Yeshua was the first to rise from the dead in eternal life, representing the firstfruits of believers (1 Corinthians 15:12-20).

Role of the Messiah in Redemption

  1. Necessity of Resurrection

    • Prophesied that the Messiah would rise from the dead.
    • Isaiah 53:10 links suffering with resurrection.
    • Yeshua's predictions (Matthew 16:21, 17:22, 20:18).

  2. Importance of Resurrection

    • Validation of Faith: Without the resurrection, faith in Jesus/Yeshua’s sacrifice is in vain.
    • Paul’s Teachings: Emphasized the resurrection as essential (1 Corinthians 15:12-20).

Conclusion

  1. Implication of First Three Feasts

    • Passover (Pesach): Death of the Messiah.
    • Unleavened Bread: Sinlessness of the Messiah.
    • Firstfruits: Resurrection of the Messiah.

  2. Future Feasts and Teachings

    • Next lecture: Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost).

  3. Final Encouragement

    • Urging to believe in Jesus/Yeshua based on the fulfilling of these prophecies from the Hebrew Scriptures.
    • Emphasis on the essential truth of faith in Yeshua for eternal life.

Closing Blessing

  • Encouraging search of the Scriptures and the understanding of the Messiah in Judaism and Christianity.