YOUTH STS LESSON 80

DIVINELY APPOINTED FEASTS

Memory Verse: Therefore let us keep the Feast, not with old leaven, Neither with the
leaven of malice and wickedness; But with the unleavened bread of sincerity and
Truth” (1 Corinthians 5:8).

Text: Leviticus 23:1-44; 24:1-23

God had fellowship with Israel which He maintained from Time to time via different feasts
at some appointed times In the year. These were periods where all the children of Israel
Gathered in God’s presence as we do during retreats today. Such periods were for spiritual
renewal and to keep the people’s consciousness alive to God.

Question 1: How do the Israelites’ feasts apply to Believers today?

Jesus attended feasts in His days, took part in the Celebrations and listened to the
ministrations (John 2:13-25; 5:1; 7:1-11; 10:22-24). As Christian youths, we should
Ensure that we attend and are punctual at all Church programmes such as Retreats,
Success Camp, School Fellowship, and weekly meetings to enable us get sufficient
Nourishments from God.

1. BELIEVERS’ FEASTS BEFORE THE LORD

Leviticus 23:1- 44; Exodus 23:14-16; 34:22-27; 1 Samuel 1:1-4; Joshua 5:10; Acts 18:21

The Lord commanded the children of Israel, without any exception, to participate in the
feasts that He had ordained for them.

Question 2: Mention the different types of feasts observed by the Israelites.

There were seven feasts appointed for the children of Israel: the Feast of Passover: the Feast
of Pentecost; the Feast of Tabernacles: the Feast of Unleavened Bread; the Feast of
Firstfruits; the Feast of Trumpets and the Feast of the Day of Atonement The feasts were to
be solemn and characterized by holiness. "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the
LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts
(Leviticus 23:1,2).

Question 3: Of what significance were these feasts of the Lord and how do they apply
to us?

The feasts were initiated by the Lord Himself for the children of Israel. No other nation of
the world was involved so comprehensively in these types of feasts with Jehovah. He had
some specific reasons for instituting them. For believing youths today, the spiritual
significance of the feasts are many.
(1) Passover signifies Christ's death and our redemption (Leviticus 23:5-8; 1 Corinthians
5:7).
(2) The First fruits signify Christ's resurrection on the third day (Leviticus 23:10-14; 1
Corinthians 15:20).
(3) Unleavened bread signifies holiness expected of Christian youths (Leviticus 23:15-22: 1
Corinthians 5:7, 8).
(4) The Feast of Trumpets points to the end time events (Leviticus 23:23-25; Matthew
24:31: 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:52: 4:16: Revelation 8:6-8,10, 12: 9:1,13;
11:15).
(5) The Day o Atonement signifies Christ, our perfect High Priest and how He atoned for our
sins at Calvary (Leviticus 23:26-32: Hebrews 7:26-28; Isaiah 53:4-6, 11).
(6) The feast 0: Pentecost signifies the power in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4}
(7) The Feast of Tabernacles reminds us of the final harvest and great in-gathering in
heaven when the wheat and the chaff shall be separated (Matthew 25:33,34,41,46).

2. MAINTAINING CONSISTENT SPIRITUAL FERVENCY BEFORE THE LORD

Leviticus 24:19, Exodus 27:20,21; 30: 25. 25:30; 40:23; Numbers 4:7; 1 Samuel 21:4,5; John
6:35, 48-51,Revelation 5:8; 8:3

"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Command the children of Israel, that they
bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn
continually" (Leviticus 24:1,2). The children of Israel were commanded to bring pure olive
oil to be used as fuel in lighting the seven lamps in the tabernacle. The Lamps were to burn
continually. Christian youths need to ensure that they keep their spiritual lives burning
consistently for the Lord by engaging in spiritual activities like observing regular Quiet
Time, preaching the gospel, being active in the School Fellowship, etc. As significant as the
oil is in the Old Testament, so it is for Christian youths today. We must ensure that we
keep the anointing symbolized by oil consistently flowing in our lives. Thou hast loved
righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with
the oil of gladness above thy fellows" (Hebrews 1:9). No wonder the songwriter resounds:

“Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning.

Give me oil in my life I pray,
Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning
Keep me burning till the glorious day'.

Furthermore, God instructed Moses to take fine flour and bake twelve loaves of bread. He
was told to set them in two rows, six in each row, on the pure table of gold before the
LORD". He was then to put pure frankincense as a memorial portion to represent the bread
and to be an offering made by fire "to the LORD", The bread was to be set out "before the
LORD" regularly.

Question 4: Mention the significance of the bread and Frankincense in the

tabernacle.

Both the frankincense and the loaves were replaced witl, Fresh ones every Sabbath Aaron
and his sons, the priests Were to cat the old bread. The significance of the “showbread To
the Israelites were:
(1) the twelve loaves represented the Tribe of Israel bring under constant watch in God’s
presence
(2) the loaves being: stacked together, implied the unbroken Unity of Israelites even though
they were of different tribes:
(3 The bread, being made of fine flour, speaks of the purity;
(4) The frankincense was to signify the power and the fragrance of Prayer of the righteous.
Today, Christ is the Bread of Life (Matthew 26:26, 29; 1 Corinthians 10:16).

3. THE EVIL AND PUNISHMENT FOR BLASPHEMY

Leviticus 24:10-23; Daniel 5:14, 30; 2 Chronicles 32:14-17,21; 1 Timothy 1:12-16, 20; Acts
12:21-23; Matthew 5:20-24; Proverbs 20:22; 24:29; Romans 12:17-21)

The son of an Israelitish woman had problem with his Fellow citizen. He was so angry that
he decided to transfer his Anger on God. Then he began to speak blasphemous words
Against the Almighty. The consequence was that he should be Stoned to death.

Question 5: (a) What do you understand by the word “blasphemy”?

(b) Mention the various ways youths blaspheme the Lord Today.

Blasphemy is the action or offence of irreverence and Disrespect to God and His word.
Blasphemy in the Old Testament attracted death penalty. Youths can be said to Have
blasphemed God if they do any of the following: making jest of God, His word and
ministers; charging God foolishly. Because of disappointment; composing songs or poems
using The name of God irreverently; associating God’s miraculous Deeds with magic,
talisman, occultism and idolatry, etc. Christian youths must be very cautious and avoid the
Temptation to blaspheme. Today, there may be no instant Death, but there will be
punishments for youths who Blaspheme God or His sacred Word. However, such
Blasphemies as highlighted above, if committed in ignorance, Can be brought to Calvary for
cleansing. There were further instructions such as a reminder on the Precepts (laws)
against murder, cruelty and personal injury. Who killed another was to be killed also. If he
injured His neighbor, he should suffer same. But the punishment Was to be administered
by judges appointed in the land to Avoid reckless vengeance. Meanwhile, the New
Testament Teaches the principle of love and forgiveness and non- Retaliation (Matthew
5:38-48; Romans 12:14,20).