The feasts and festivals in the Bible described throughout the Old Testament were not frivolous. They all had specific dates and symbolic reasoning. All the reasonings for the celebrations were linked to showing God gratitude and causing the Israelite’s hearts to focus on what God had done for them and will do for them. The feasts commemorated everything from the exodus out of Egypt to the harvest to the giving of the law for this chosen nation.
The most well-known festival listed is the Passover. As we can see, this Passover was a celebration commemorating God’s deliverance of Israel out of Egypt. Jews today still celebrate the Passover, with a Seder on the first night. Which feast or festival is the most interesting to you? Which one would you have liked to experience?
If you are studying the feasts and festivals in the Bible, this is a great reference resource. For convenience, here are the links to the scripture referenced for the Passover: Exodus 12: 1-4 and Leviticus 23:4-5. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is mentioned in Exodus 12:15-20 and Leviticus 23:6-8. The Feast of Firstfruits is referenced in Exodus 23:16 and Leviticus 23: 9-14. The Feast of Weeks or Pentacost is mentioned in Leviticus 23:15-21 and Deuteronomy 16:9-10.
