The language of a marriage contract, groom and bride are connected in the Bible to God’s deals with Abraham and Israel, Messiah and God’s people (believers), respectively.
The completion of the palace of king Shlomo (Solomon) and the dedication of the temple on the first day of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) teaches us about the connection between the symbols of king and priest in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus).
The fall appointed times of God are called the “feasts of ingathering” and are associated with the apocalyptic Day of the LORD. What are the lessons of these festivals that point toward our preparation for what Messiah is going to do?
In part two of a discussion of the seventh month of God’s calendar, Richard looks into the parallel between the construction of Solomon’s Temple in time for one Sukkot (Tabernacles) and the preparation of God’s people for the final Sukkot. Like the stones for the first temple that were cut to size elsewhere then moved into location, the people of God will be “trimmed” to the right “size” before being moved to the final site of the LORD’s dwelling place on Earth.
Yom haKippurim (the Day of Coverings/Atonement) is seen as a time of self-reflection. Yes, in Leviticus 16 God teaches that one is to “afflict your souls,” which is taken to be a call for a fast, as seen in Isaiah 58. However, the apostolic letter to the Hebrews shows that the day is about reflection on the High Priest Who atoned God’s people once and for all time with His own blood.
Many associate the Feast of Trumpets with shofars, or trumpets made from horns. However, the LORD calls for two silver trumpets on this special day. Rather than a warning or battle call, as is associated with the shofar, this is a “loud sound,” or teruah, of joy. How is this joy associated with the Day of the LORD and the coming of Messiah, which are described in the Bible as a fearsome time?
Yahunatan (Jonathan) during a New Moon celebration learns that his father, Sha’ul (Saul) the ruler, plans to kill his best friend, David. Yahunatan creates a signaling method involving three days and three arrows to let David know to flee.
This chapter about a scandalous encounter between Yehudah (Judah) and his daughter-in-law Tamar seems out of place in the account of Yosef’s slavery in Mitsraim (Egypt). Yet the twins in this chapter — Perets (Perez) and Zerah — share a link to Messiah with Yosef (Joseph).