In the Old Testament, we learn of seven feasts.  These are given to us in Leviticus 23.  We read in verse 4, “These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.”  The seven feasts are:

THE PASSOVER – Verse 5

THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD – Verses 6-8

THE FEAST OF FIRSTFRUITS – Verses 9-14

THE FEAST OF WEEKS (PENTECOST) – Verses 15-22

THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS – Verses 23-25

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT – Verses 26-32

THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES (BOOTHS) – Verses 33-36

These feasts are referred to as ‘set feasts’ in Numbers 29:39, “These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your SET FEASTS, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.”  They are also called ‘set feasts’ in 1 Chronicles 23:31, 2 Chronicles 31:3, Ezra 3:5, and Nehemiah 10:33.  All these feasts point to Christ and would make a good and profitable study for believers to look into. 

John 10:22 speaks of another feast.  That says, “And it was at Jerusalem the FEAST OF THE DEDICATION, and it was winter.”  This feast was not ordered of God because the Bible nowhere speaks of the Lord instituting this feast.  Historically, we learn this feast was instituted by Judas Maccabeus to commemorate the rededication of the Temple after being defiled by Antiochus Epiphanes in 165 B.C.  This Feast of Dedication is still celebrated today and is known as Hanukkah.  It begins on the 25th of Kislev, which normally falls in late November or December. It is celebrated annually by the Jews for eight days to commemorate the cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem.

There is another feast mentioned in the book of Esther.  It is the feast of Purim.  Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman’s plot to destroy them. It is observed with feasting, giving gifts, and reading the Book of Esther.  That word ‘Purim’ means ‘the lot’ because, Haman cast lots to find what month, and what day of the month, would be the most favorable for the accomplishment of his bloody scheme against the Jews.  We learn in Esther 3:7 that, “In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.”  This feast is not mentioned in the New Testament.  Some think it is referred to in John 5:1 which says, “After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.”  To me, that is highly unlikely.  At that time, the Passover was referred to as the ‘Jew’s Passover’ in John 2:13 and 11:55, so it seems more likely that John 5:1 is referring to the Passover.

In both the Feast of the Dedication and the Feast of Purim, we do not see that the Lord observed either of these, neither did He teach His disciples to observe them.  It was the ‘set feasts’ the Lord instituted that the Jews were told to keep.  These set feasts all pointed to Christ for the Jews.  Today, we can look back to see how that God sent His only begotten Son into the world to die for guilty sinners like you and me. (1 Timothy 1:15).  These Jewish feasts, while we can learn about Christ through them, are not to be observed today.  That which they typified has been fulfilled, so their need and usefulness have been completed.  (CC)  (707.4)