1.2 YHWH's Appointments Are Special Invitations - Signs

Verse Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

Lev 23:1-2 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the Lord that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are my appointed feasts. ESV

Read “Prologue” to Messiah in the Feasts of Israel by Sam Nadler pp 4-5

The feasts belong to YHWH and they are forever (Exodus 12:14,17,21). They are not regulations, they are signs, and they all point to Messiah. This word translated “feast” is the Hebrew word “moed” or “mowed” the Strong’s definition is as follows:

OT:4150 (mo-ade'); or moed (mo-ade'); properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand): The KJV variously translates this word as: appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn (-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed)

This word appears 223 times in the Old Testament including in these verses:

Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years. KJV

Psalms 104:19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. KJV

So we can see that the appointed times are connected to the very fabric of the creation itself. The feasts (moeds) are indeed God’s creation. These particular times were initiated at the “birth” day of the nation of Israel which is “Passover”, the great deliverance of Israel from Egypt. YHWH also identified the first day of the month of Passover to be the “beginning of months” (Exodus 12:1), so He essentially reset the whole reckoning of time to identify His appointed times (assemblies as convened for a definite purpose) with His people.

It is hard to over emphasize that these Feasts are YHWH’s idea. They are not the invention of man or the convention or cultural festivity of a particular nation. On these days, we are told to go meet with YHWH “at the place where I (YHWH) choose” (Numbers 16:16) and to do this as one people. Notice that the place of our meeting is determined by YHWH- it is not at our option.

We in the Western Christian culture have grown accustomed to thinking that God is always available for our convenience, He is open 24-7, and we can petition Him whenever we want at our convenience. “Call to me and I will answer” (Jeremiah 33:3). “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21). It becomes a sort of “on demand” type of thinking. While these Scriptures are true and “He ever  ives to make intercession” (Hebrews 7:25), there is also an expression of true love and affection that will meet YHWH in His appointed times.

If we love the Lord with all our heart would we not also be running with excited expectation to meet Him at the place (and time) that He chooses? This is also part of our covenant of love and intimacy with YHWH. It has less to do with the obligations of the law of Moses and much more to do with the attitude
of our heart.

For a season these appointed times were obligatory under the Mosaic covenant. The appointed times had regulations for each day of the “moeds”, which varied greatly. On Yom Kippur it was required that no one washed, ate, or drank for a full 25 or 26 hours. The word “feast” should not be confused with
just eating and drinking festive meals, although at the Feast of Sukkot, we are commanded to be joyful for seven days in a row and prepared portions of food and drink for those who have none. Imagine that! YHWH commands a joyful heart during the Feast of Sukkot! In the prophecy of Zechariah (Zech 14:16- 18) representatives from every nation will be required to meet at the feast in Jerusalem or there will be
no rain in the upcoming year. These are indeed “assemblies as convened for a definite purpose”.

Colossians 2:17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. ESV

The purpose is Christ. As we observe and explore the meaning of these times we find that they all speak to the redemption and sanctification of our lives, both individually and corporately—until we meet the destination of YHWH. This is essentially the full Sabbath rest and rejoicing in the maturity of unhindered relationship with Him through the sacrifice and intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the universe, and Lord of Lords.

We have in our study book two additional festival seasons traditionally observed by the Jewish people, Messianic believer, and others. Hanukah commemorates the miracle of the oil during the rededication of the temple after the victory of the Maccabees in Jerusalem. Purim remembers the life of Esther as she overcame the threat of genocide against the Jews during her life. These events have great significance for all Christians as well as Jews, and they are worthy of our time. But these times are not the times appointed by YHWH, they are generated by men and observed by the traditions of men. This
does not mean that they are wrong, but they are from a different source.

The source of the feasts is pure and undefiled.

Rom 11:16 …and if the root is holy, so are the branches. ESV

This is not to say that every interpretation and practice in the feasts are from YHWH, but the original ideas of His appointed times are perfect and they reflect perfectly His process of redemption through Jesus Christ. One of the first things we can see is that redemption is not a single event, but it is an identity shift that begins in a moment and develops over a lifetime. He brought us out to bring us in. Bringing us to maturity in the kingdom is often the most difficult and confusing part. But we will fall short of His call if we do not overcome the works of the enemy and our flesh. The feasts teach us much
about this process and anchor our faith as we live from year to year, season to season. YHWH speaks a little more clearly to us, or perhaps we hear Him more clearly, as we join as one man and meet Him on the days of His appointments.

YHWH’s times are originated by Him and they are marvelous, glorious, and eternal. Let us keep the
feasts with a pure heart. Let us join with Him in the festival procession and enjoy His appointments in
spirit and in truth.

Hebrews 12:22-25

… you have come to Mount Zion, even to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and to countless multitudes of angels in festal gathering,

23 And to the church (assembly) of the Firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in heaven,
and to the God Who is Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in
heaven) who have been made perfect,

Page 10 of 160

24 And to Jesus, the Mediator (go-between, Agent) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled
blood which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood
of Abel [which cried out for vengeance]. [Gen 4:10.]

25 So see to it that you do not reject Him or refuse to listen to and heed Him Who is speaking
[to you now]. AMP