
Leviticus 23
Leviticus 23 outlines the appointed festivals of the Lord that the Israelites were to observe. These holy convocations were intended as times for worship, rest, and reflection on God's providence and deliverance. The chapter is structured around specific dates and practices, linking these observances to agricultural cycles, historical events, and spiritual lessons for Israel.
Leviticus 23:1-3 (NKJV)
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.
3 Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.
The chapter begins by emphasizing that the feasts are not just cultural events but divinely appointed times for worship. The weekly Sabbath, which is introduced before the other feasts, sets the tone. It serves as a weekly reminder of God's creation and rest. It is a day of holy assembly and rest, where no work is to be done. The Sabbath anchors the other festivals, reminding Israel that their identity is grounded in God’s rest and provision.
Leviticus 23:4-5 (NKJV)
4 “These are the feasts of the Lord, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times.
5 On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the Lord’s Passover.
These verses establish the timing of the Passover, an essential Jewish feast, marking the moment when God delivered Israel from Egypt. "Twilight" here refers to the time between sunset and nightfall, understood in Jewish tradition as the period between 3 PM and sunset. This timing is significant because it parallels the future death of Jesus, the true Passover Lamb. Jesus died around 3 PM on Passover (Matthew 27:46-50), fulfilling the symbolism of the sacrificial lamb whose blood saved the Israelites in Egypt. His death at this exact time foreshadows how His sacrifice would bring ultimate deliverance from sin for humanity.
Leviticus 23:6-8 (NKJV)
6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; seven days you must eat unleavened bread.
7 On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no customary work on it.
8 But you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord for seven days. The seventh day shall be a holy convocation; you shall do no customary work on it.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately follows Passover, lasting for seven days. Both the first and seventh days were days of rest and worship. The requirement to eat unleavened bread, which symbolizes purity and separation from sin (leaven often represents sin in the Bible), highlights the need for spiritual cleanliness as they journeyed toward freedom.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt, Christ delivers us from the slavery of sin. The unleavened bread symbolizes a life free from the power of sin, which is made possible through Christ’s sacrifice. In the New Testament, Paul makes this connection clear in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, where he writes, “For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Here, Paul encourages believers to live lives of purity and sincerity, free from the "leaven" of sin, because Christ, the true Passover Lamb, has already been sacrificed. Just as the Israelites ate unleavened bread to signify their break from Egypt, we are called to live in freedom from sin because Christ has delivered us. In this sense, the Feast of Unleavened Bread symbolizes not just deliverance from Egypt but, in a spiritual context, the end of sin’s power over us through Christ’s atoning work. Christ’s death and resurrection bring an end to sin's dominion for those who believe in Him.
Leviticus 23:9-11 (NKJV)
9 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
10 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest.
11 He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.
The Feast of Firstfruits marked the beginning of the harvest season and was a way for the Israelites to acknowledge God as the provider. By offering the first sheaf of barley, they demonstrated faith in God’s continued provision. The act of waving the sheaf before the Lord was a gesture of thanksgiving and consecration of the whole harvest to Him. According to Leviticus 23:10-11, this ritual took place the day after the Sabbath following Passover, meaning it was usually observed on the 16th of Nisan. In the New Testament, this feast finds its fulfillment in Jesus' resurrection, as 1 Corinthians 15:20 describes Christ as the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." Just as the first sheaf was offered in faith for the coming harvest, Jesus' resurrection on the first Sunday after Passover points to the promise of eternal life and the future resurrection of believers. The Day of Firstfruits, thus, becomes a prophetic picture of Jesus' victory over death and the assurance of a spiritual harvest to come.
Leviticus 23:12-14 (NKJV)
12 And you shall offer on that day, when you wave the sheaf, a male lamb of the first year, without blemish, as a burnt offering to the Lord.
13 Its grain offering shall be two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to the Lord, for a sweet aroma; and its drink offering shall be of wine, one-fourth of a hin.
14 You shall eat neither bread nor parched grain nor fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your God; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
The offering associated with the Feast of Firstfruits included a lamb without blemish, symbolizing purity and sacrifice. The grain and drink offerings were part of this celebration, representing the fullness of the harvest. The command not to eat of the new harvest until the offering had been made underlined the principle that all blessings come from God and should first be offered back to Him.
Leviticus 23:15-16 (NKJV)
15 “And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed.
16 Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the Lord.
Fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits, the Israelites were to celebrate the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost). This was a celebration of the completed harvest, symbolizing God's abundance and provision. The counting of days between the early and late harvests connected these two important events, reminding Israel that God's blessings are continuous and require ongoing gratitude and faithfulness. In the New Testament, Pentecost finds its ultimate fulfillment through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Just as the feast marked the completion of the physical harvest, the arrival of the Holy Spirit during Pentecost signified the beginning of the spiritual harvest—the gathering of souls into God's kingdom. The Holy Spirit is God's provision to empower believers, continuing His blessings through the new covenant.
Moreover, just as the Feast of Weeks commemorated the giving of the Law to Moses at Sinai, Pentecost now celebrates the giving of the Holy Spirit, who writes God's law on believers' hearts. The event of Pentecost also united people from different nations, symbolizing the universality of the gospel, while reversing the confusion of languages at Babel. Thus, Pentecost bridges the old and new covenants, marking the spiritual harvest of souls and the birth of the Church through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Leviticus 23:17-18 (NKJV)
17 You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. They are the firstfruits to the Lord.
18 And you shall offer with the bread seven lambs of the first year, without blemish, one young bull, and two rams. They shall be as a burnt offering to the Lord, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma to the Lord.
At Pentecost, two loaves made from the firstfruits of the wheat harvest were waved before the Lord. These loaves, unlike the bread of the Passover, were baked with leaven, possibly symbolizing the growth and expansion of Israel. The accompanying offerings were extensive, emphasizing the sacredness of the occasion and the need to acknowledge God's provision with both gratitude and reverence.
Leviticus 23:19-21 (NKJV)
19 Then you shall sacrifice one kid of the goats as a sin offering, and two male lambs of the first year as a sacrifice of a peace offering.
20 The priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits as a wave offering before the Lord, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to the Lord for the priest.
21 And you shall proclaim on the same day that it is a holy convocation to you. You shall do no customary work on it. It shall be a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.
The Feast of Weeks included both sin and peace offerings. The sin offering signified the need for atonement, while the peace offering symbolized reconciliation and fellowship with God. The offerings were waved before the Lord, demonstrating that all sacrifices were to be dedicated to Him. The day was set apart as a holy convocation, a time of rest and celebration of God's abundant blessings.
Leviticus 23:22 (NKJV)
22 “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the Lord your God.
This verse introduces the principle of providing for the poor and the stranger. The Israelites were instructed to leave part of their harvest in the fields so that those in need could glean from it. This practice highlights God's concern for justice and care for the vulnerable in society. It was a way to share the blessings of the harvest with those who might not have land of their own.
Leviticus 23:23-25 (NKJV)
23 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
24 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.
25 You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord.’”
The Feast of Trumpets was celebrated on the first day of the seventh month. It marked the beginning of a solemn time of reflection, leading up to the Day of Atonement. The trumpets were blown as a reminder of God’s presence and sovereignty. This day was set apart as a holy convocation, requiring rest from work and the offering of sacrifices to the Lord.
The Feast of Trumpets is seen as partially fulfilled through the warning message of the investigative judgment that began in 1844. It symbolizes the call to repentance and preparation for the coming judgment and the eventual return of Christ. Ellen White highlights the importance of this warning: "The solemn messages that have been given in their order in the Revelation are to occupy the first place in the minds of God's people. Nothing else is to be allowed to engross our attention... The trumpet is to give a certain sound, and all the world should be warned" (The Great Controversy, p. 594). The final fulfillment is expected at the Second Coming, when the trumpet of God will sound, signaling the resurrection of the dead and the gathering of the saved (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Therefore, while the spiritual warning aspect is fulfilled, the final event of Christ’s return remains future.
Leviticus 23:26-28 (NKJV)
26 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
27 “Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord.
28 And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God.
The Day of Atonement was the most solemn day on the Jewish calendar. It was a day of national repentance, where the Israelites were commanded to “afflict their souls,” likely through fasting and mourning for their sins. The focus was on seeking atonement and reconciliation with God, with the high priest offering sacrifices to cleanse the people from their sins. No work was to be done, emphasizing the seriousness of the occasion.
The Day of Atonement is also considered partially fulfilled in Christ’s death on the cross and His ongoing ministry as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. The investigative judgment that began in 1844 is the antitypical Day of Atonement, during which Christ is cleansing the heavenly sanctuary and preparing to fully eradicate sin. Ellen White writes: "As anciently the sins of the people were by faith placed upon the sin offering and through its blood transferred, in figure, to the earthly sanctuary, so in the new covenant the sins of the repentant are by faith placed upon Christ and transferred, in fact, to the heavenly sanctuary" (The Great Controversy, p. 421). The full fulfillment will come when Christ completes the judgment process and returns to eradicate sin permanently and gather His people.
The Day of Atonement can indeed represent the end of sin in the characters of the 144,000, a group described in Revelation 7 and Revelation 14. This is connected to the process of complete purification and preparation for Christ’s return, especially for the last generation of believers who live through the final events of earth’s history.
Purification and the 144,000:
Character Perfection and Cleansing: On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place to cleanse the sanctuary and symbolically remove the sins of the people. Ellen White draws a parallel between this and the final cleansing of God’s people. She writes, "Now, while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in Christ. Not even by a thought could our Savior be brought to yield to the power of temptation. Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of Himself, ‘The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.’ (John 14:30)" (The Great Controversy, p. 623).
The 144,000 are described as "without fault before the throne of God" (Revelation 14:5), meaning that they have gained victory over sin and are fully cleansed. This perfection of character reflects the final work of Christ during the antitypical Day of Atonement.
End of Sin in the Last Generation: The 144,000 are often seen as representing the last generation who will go through the time of trouble without falling into sin. Ellen White notes, “In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts"* (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 446).
This indicates that the Day of Atonement represents a time when the final cleansing from sin takes place, ensuring that God’s people, especially the 144,000, are prepared for Christ’s return.
Living Without a Mediator: After the close of probation, the 144,000 will live through a period where they must rely fully on Christ’s righteousness without an intercessor. Ellen White describes this time: “When He leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time, the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor” (The Great Controversy, p. 614).
This period corresponds to the final phase of the Day of Atonement, where the 144,000 are fully sealed and sin has been completely removed from their characters. Their complete victory over sin symbolizes the full purification that the Day of Atonement brings.
Final Victory Over Sin: Ellen White also emphasizes that Christ’s work in the heavenly sanctuary is focused on fully eradicating sin from the lives of believers. She writes, “Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 69).
The 144,000 reflect this perfect character and thus represent the final fulfillment of the Day of Atonement, when sin is not only atoned for but is fully removed from the hearts of God’s people.
In conclusion, The Day of Atonement can indeed represent the end of sin in the characters of the 144,000, as they are fully purified and made ready to stand before God. Ellen White emphasizes that during this final phase of Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, God's people must achieve complete victory over sin, reflecting Christ’s perfect character. The 144,000 are those who experience this cleansing and are prepared to live without a mediator, signifying the end of sin both in the world and within their own characters, leading to Christ's return.
Leviticus 23:29-30 (NKJV)
29 For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people.
30 And any person who does any work on that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people.
These verses emphasize the seriousness of observing the Day of Atonement. Those who failed to humble themselves or who worked on this day were to be cut off or destroyed, indicating the severe consequences of neglecting God’s commandments. The Day of Atonement was not optional; it was a time when every individual was called to reflect on their relationship with God and seek His mercy.
Leviticus 23:31-32 (NKJV)
31 You shall do no manner of work; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
32 It shall be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath.”
The Day of Atonement was to be observed from the evening of the ninth day to the evening of the tenth day, emphasizing its sacred nature. It was a day of complete rest and reflection, reinforcing the importance of rest as part of spiritual renewal. This practice was to be kept throughout all generations, signifying its perpetual importance in the life of Israel.
Leviticus 23:33-36 (NKJV)
33 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
34 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the Lord.
35 On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it.
36 For seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it.
The Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Feast of Booths, commemorated the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and their dependence on God. For seven days, they were to dwell in temporary shelters to remember their ancestors' journey. The first and eighth days were days of rest and worship, marked by offerings and holy convocations. The festival celebrated God’s provision and protection during their time in the wilderness.
The Feast of Tabernacles is understood as not yet fully fulfilled. While it looks forward to God’s ultimate dwelling with His people, there is a connection to Christ’s promise in John 14:23, where He says, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” This indicates God’s desire to dwell with believers spiritually through Christ. However, the full fulfillment will occur at the Second Coming, when the redeemed will experience the ultimate gathering into God’s presence, celebrating the end of their earthly journey and entering eternal life in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:3). Ellen White writes: "The Feast of Tabernacles was not only commemorative but typical...It pointed forward to the great day of final ingathering, when the Lord of the harvest shall send forth His reapers to gather the tares together in bundles for the fire, and to gather the wheat into His garner" (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 541). This is when God will permanently "tabernacle" with His people forever.
Leviticus 23:37-38 (NKJV)
37 These are the feasts of the Lord which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the Lord, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day—
38 besides the Sabbaths of the Lord, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings which you give to the Lord.
This passage reiterates that the feasts and holy convocations outlined in this chapter are in addition to the regular weekly Sabbaths and other offerings. It underscores the importance of observing these feasts as a way to honor God’s commands and express gratitude for His provision and blessings. These offerings were specific to the feasts and not meant to replace the ongoing practices of worship.
Leviticus 23:39-41 (NKJV)
39 Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the Lord for seven days; on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a sabbath-rest.
40 And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.
41 You shall keep it as a feast to the Lord for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
The Feast of Tabernacles was a time of rejoicing, marking the end of the agricultural year. The people were to gather branches and fruits as part of the celebration, symbolizing their thanksgiving for the harvest. This festival not only commemorated God’s protection during the wilderness journey but also celebrated His ongoing provision in the Promised Land. The emphasis on joy and rest highlights the nature of worship as both reflective and celebratory.
Leviticus 23:42-43 (NKJV)
42 You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths,
43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
These verses describe the primary command regarding the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths). The Israelites were to live in temporary shelters made from branches for seven days, a symbolic reminder of their time in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. This command was not only for those present but intended to be passed down through the generations. It served as a reminder of God’s deliverance, His provision, and the importance of remembering the past blessings of God, ensuring that future generations understood their history and relationship with God.
Leviticus 23:44 (NKJV)
44 So Moses declared to the children of Israel the feasts of the Lord.
This concluding verse wraps up the chapter by stating that Moses faithfully communicated God’s instructions about the feasts to the Israelites. It highlights the role of Moses as a mediator who delivered God’s commands to His people, ensuring that the nation of Israel would know how to honor and worship God through these sacred festivals. These feasts were a vital part of Israel’s religious life, allowing them to commemorate God’s saving acts and maintain a sense of community and identity.