Biblical FeastsBiblical Feasts

IntroductionIntroduction

According to common usage, a “feast” According to common usage, a “feast” refers to a large meal, especially a refers to a large meal, especially a celebratory one, often accompanied by celebratory one, often accompanied by ceremony or entertainment, in which ceremony or entertainment, in which participants eat and drink lavishly. participants eat and drink lavishly.

In our country, feasting is associated In our country, feasting is associated with Thanksgiving. In the Bible, with Thanksgiving. In the Bible, feasting has both physical and spiritual feasting has both physical and spiritual significance. significance.

Biblical FeastsBiblical Feasts

Physical Feasts of Physical Feasts of the Old the Old TestamentTestament– PassoverPassover– PentecostPentecost– TabernaclesTabernacles

Spiritual Feasts Spiritual Feasts of the New of the New TestamentTestament– ParticipationParticipation– PreparationPreparation– PurityPurity

The Physical Feasts of The Physical Feasts of the Old Testamentthe Old Testament During the Mosaic dispensation, During the Mosaic dispensation,

the people of God celebrated the people of God celebrated three great annual feasts: three great annual feasts: Passover, Pentecost and Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles (Exodus 23:14-17; Tabernacles (Exodus 23:14-17; 34:23-24; Deuteronomy 16:16-34:23-24; Deuteronomy 16:16-17). 17).

PassoverPassover

Exodus 12:1-20Exodus 12:1-20 Numbers 28:16-25Numbers 28:16-25 Deuteronomy 16:1-8Deuteronomy 16:1-8

PentecostPentecost

Exodus 23:16; 34:22Exodus 23:16; 34:22 Numbers 28:26Numbers 28:26 Deuteronomy 16:9-12Deuteronomy 16:9-12

TabernaclesTabernacles

Exodus 34:22Exodus 34:22 Leviticus 23:34-36, 39-43Leviticus 23:34-36, 39-43 Numbers 29:12-38Numbers 29:12-38 Deuteronomy 16:13-15Deuteronomy 16:13-15

The Spiritual Feasts of The Spiritual Feasts of the New Testament the New Testament In the Christian era, the blessings In the Christian era, the blessings

associated with worship, in associated with worship, in breaking the bread of life, and breaking the bread of life, and observance of the Lord’s supper, observance of the Lord’s supper, are described as a feast. are described as a feast.

The expression also anticipates The expression also anticipates our abundant heavenly reward.our abundant heavenly reward.

ParticipationParticipation

Matthew 22:1-10Matthew 22:1-10 John 6:48-58John 6:48-58 John 7:37-39John 7:37-39

PreparationPreparation

Matthew 22:11-14Matthew 22:11-14 Matthew 25:1-13Matthew 25:1-13 Luke 12:35-40Luke 12:35-40

PurityPurity

1 Corinthians 5:6-81 Corinthians 5:6-8 Jude 3-4, 12-13Jude 3-4, 12-13 Ephesians 4:17-24Ephesians 4:17-24

ConclusionConclusion

The annual feasts of the Old The annual feasts of the Old Testament (Passover, Pentecost and Testament (Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles) celebrated God’s Tabernacles) celebrated God’s blessings and bounty. blessings and bounty.

If we respond favorably to the Lord’s If we respond favorably to the Lord’s invitation, we can enjoy spiritual invitation, we can enjoy spiritual fellowship and continual feasting fellowship and continual feasting (Proverbs 15:8-17; Revelation 3:20-(Proverbs 15:8-17; Revelation 3:20-22). 22).