Leviticus 23:15-32

Wave-Loaves, Trumpets and Atonement

Leviticus 23:15

The Hebrew feasts divide themselves into two groups, connected with the Passover and the Day of Atonement, respectively, and occurring in the first and seventh months of the year. First came the Passover, on the fourteenth day of the first month, followed closely by the Week of Unleavened Bread, and at a distance of seven weeks further on by the Feast of Pentecost (Pentecost is the Greek word for fifty; see Leviticus 23:16).

These three form the first group. Six months afterward, on the tenth day of the seventh month, came the most solemn day in the whole year-the Day of Atonement. It was preceded by the Feast of Trumpets, and followed closely by the Feast of Tabernacles. This was the second group. But each group set forth a distinct aspect of redemption. In the Passover, we are reminded that we were redeemed from sin: in the Atonement, that we are redeemed to God. Do not forget to find Christ's resurrection in Leviticus 23:11, and the first-fruits of the Spirit in Leviticus 23:17.