Have you ever wondered why God created the lights in the sky? The answer is found on the very first page of Scripture: “Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night. They will serve as signs for festivals and for days and years.’” – GENESIS 1:14

The Feasts of the LORD: God's Appointed Times

The Hebrew word for festivals is mo’adim, which is more accurately translated as “appointed times.” Established at the creation of the world, with the details given later at Mount Sinai, the Biblical Feasts of the LORD are uniquely designed to be divine appointments between God and His people.

But all that changed after Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. With the Jews expelled from the Land and Jerusalem in ruins, the celebrations, prayers and songs ceased. For nearly two thousand years, the Holy Days in Israel were largely forgotten.

But then, a miracle began to take place which was prophesied long ago...

Christians and the Feasts

A spiritual awakening is underway, not only amongst the Jewish people, but throughout the Christian world as well. More Christians today recognize and participate in the Biblical Festivals on some level than at any time since the first century. This is not a brand new phenomenon, but a rebirth of an old practice. Jesus and His Apostles celebrated the Feasts year after year.

The earliest followers of Yeshua, both Jew and Gentile, participated in the Biblical Festivals as a natural part of their faith. Paul even encourages his Gentile audience in Corinth not to be discouraged as they observed the Biblical Holy Days, even though they were being mocked for it:

Sabbath: The First Feast

God desires to commune with His people as He once did in the Garden of Eden, and the Sabbath is a reflection of that. Shabbat is the first appointed time God invites His people to observe in Scripture.

It begins every Friday night at sundown and lasts until Saturday night, ending just after sunset. Just as a wedding ring is a sign between husband and wife, the Sabbath is a sign of love between God and Israel.

Jewish Customs of The Sabbath

For anyone who has been to Israel, you know that Shabbat is the most celebrated day of the week. Jews begin wishing people "Shabbat Shalom" days in advance, anticipating the joy of the day. Work ceases early Friday afternoon. Families clean their homes and dress in nice clothing before dinner.

Modern times have brought modern customs. Observant Jews power down their cell phones and computers, and take a break from tv-watching and social media. Men attend Friday evening prayer in the local synagogue, then walk home for Shabbat dinner.

Christian Significance of The Sabbath

It seems like Yeshua's favorite day of the week to heal His fellow Jews was on the Sabbath. Through His miracles — reviving the health of the sick and healing people from physical sufferings — Yeshua taught His disciples that Shabbat was made for man as a day of restoration for the body and the spirit.