OFFERINGS
Burnt Offering:
An offering by fire saying that I belong totally and exclusively to the
Lord. The offering in substitute for me is burned as a “sweet smelling
savor” before the Lord.
Grain Offering: (Meal Offering)
Offering made from very fine flour and oil, offered to the Lord in
recognition that He is the total “life-giver”. The life of God is my
life.
Fellowship Offering:
Offering celebrating my union and fellowship with God. Recognition that
I am in union with my God, and my brother.
Sin Offering:
Offering for sins committed. The animal in substitute for me offered to
atone for my sin.
Guilt Offering:
Offering for forgiveness of guilt for sins committed even unknowingly
before the Lord. The animal, in substitute for me, is offered to atone
for my guilt.
FEASTS AND FESTIVALS
Passover:
Date: 14th day of the First Month.. (Approximately April)
First Observed: On the night of deliverance from Egypt
Signifies: The lamb as my substitute causes God’s judgment to Passover
me and my household.
- (See diagram on page 34).
Feast of Unleavened Bread:
Date: Day following Passover (i.e. 15th day First Month Approximately
April). Continues or the next seven days. First and last days are to be
Sabbaths.
First Observed: Day following leaving Egypt.
Signifies: The removal of all that is evil from my life. (i.e. the
leaving behind of all that belongs to Egypt)
Feast of Firstfruits:
Date: Day following the first Sabbath after Passover. (i.e. the first
Sunday following Passover)
First Observed: Following first Passover after coming into promised
land.
Signifies: The provision of the Lord. The harvest which I am about to
reap belongs to the Lord, and is His provision for me. Tied closely to
the offering of the Firstborn, and the redemption of the firstborn son,
and the blessing of the firstborn.
Feast of Pentecost: (Also called Feast of Weeks)
Date: Seven Sabbaths following the Feast of Firstfruits. (i.e. 50 days –
Pente – 50)
First Observed: First harvest in promised land
Signifies: An extension of the Grain Offering, and the Feast of
Firstfruits. You now offer the flour derived from the grain of the
harvest. An offering signifying that my entire provision and life is
derived from the life of God, and the provision of His harvest. (Note:
the only offering involving leaven.)
Feast of Trumpets:
Date: First day of Seventh Month. (Approximately October)
First Observed: After receiving the Law at Sinai.
Signifies: My knowledge that the Lord is King. I am His willing subject.
I am waiting to hear the direction of the Lord (i.e. the pillar of fire
and cloud, in the wilderness….trumpets signified when the Lord began
to move. I was ready to move when He leads).
Day of Atonement:
Date: Tenth day of Seventh Month (Approximately late October)
First Observed: After receiving the Law at Sinai.
Signifies: The Lord has provided a substitute for my sin. The Lord has
made it possible for me to be in fellowship with Him through the
substitute offering for my sin.
Feast of Tabernacles: (Feast of Booths)
Date: 15th day of the Seventh Month (Approximately late October)
First Observed: After day of Atonement when they came into the promised
land.
Signifies: The tentative nature of our stay on the earth. Reminder of
the provision of God in the wilderness when they lived in tents with
God’s tent in the center. God is the King, and my provider.
OTHER FESTIVALS
Sabbatical Year:
Every seven years
Land is to rest. Land is to lay fallow for a year.
Year of Jubilee:
Every seven sabbatical year
All debts will be forgiven
All slaves to be set free
If land was lost due to debt, etc….land was restored.