Today we begin a new series entitled “Seeing Jesus in the Feasts of Israel”
LESSON 1
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
We must read the Bible with the Hebrew culture and language in mind. We cannot interpret it from our cultural and language perspective – otherwise it will not make sense. Therefore, to understand the Jewish feasts, we must view the Bible as the story of God’s dealings with the church of the Old and New Covenants and see how the feasts cover the whole of human history and tell the story of Jesus’ wooing and winning of His bride.
Why is it important for us as Christians to understand the meaning and significance of these feasts?
- THE BIBLE – A ROMANCE
There is more than one way to interpret the Bible; for example it is the story of two covenants; the story of a journey; or the story of salvation. One of the ways to interpret the Bible is to read it as a romance – God’s romance with His people.
When did God fall in love with His people?
“When Israel was a child, I loved him…” Hosea 12:1a;
“On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean…you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born, you were despised…” Ezekiel 16:4, 5.
“Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood…I said to you, “Live!”…Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the sovereign Lord, and you became mine.” Ezekiel 16:8.
God loved Israel long before she ever became a nation. Because He loved her, He rescued her from slavery in Egypt and proposed to her at Mount Sinai. He followed the 5 steps every Hebrew man follows in the process of courtship and marriage.
To be continued…