Believers take time to celebrate many holidays that are established on the Gregorian calendar set by man failing to realize that there is a calendar established and ordained by God specifically for His people. We read our Bible without recognizing and realizing that these celebrations apply to us. Remember as Believers we are engrafted in by the blood of Jesus and we are the seed of Abraham. “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29).

         These holidays are high holy days that God has set aside and ordained for His people. Over the years, the enemy has blinded the Believer to the truth about these feasts, especially the meanings and purpose. These are appointments set by God for us to come before Him. Only in recent years is the revelation about these feasts now being applied to the lives of the Believer.

         Last month, February, there was a celebration of Purim. This celebration is revealed in the book of Esther when Haman devised a plot to destroy the Jewish nation. Purim is a Persian term which means the holiday of the hidden hand of God moving behind the scenes with signs, wonders, and miracles to turn your story upside down. If you had the knowledge of this time, would you not celebrate your God? Remember Haman cast lots, rolled the dice against them, which he thought gave him the upper hand in his plan. This boldness even had Haman to even set a date for the destruction of the Jews.

         One fascinating fact about the book of Esther is that the name of God is not mentioned. It appears while reading, that He is not present. But He is moving behind the scenes on your behalf. Purim occurs during Adar, which is the last month on the sacred calendar. God is moving behind the scenes and moving you into your next season and into a new year and a new decade.

         The new year begins with Nisan, the first month on the sacred calendar. The 14^th day of Nisan is Passover and the 15^th day is the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. “These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord’s Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.” (Leviticus 23:4-6). This is a set time by God that is ordained to be observed forever. “And ye shall observe this thing or an ordinance to thee and thy sons for ever.” (Exodus 12:14).

         It was during this time that Israel not only marched out of Egypt after years of bondage, but also came out with the wealth of the enemy which had oppressed them. “He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribe.” (Psalm 105:37). God fulfilled the prophetic word that He had given Abraham centuries earlier. “And also that nation, whom they shall serve will I judge: and afterward they shall come out with great substance.” (Exodus 15:14).

         The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the evening of Passover. It is the remembrance of the departure from the bondage of the old life. There was not time for the bread to rise before the deliverance. Leaven represents sin and evil in the flesh which left unchecked will rise and take over. “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” (I Corinthians 5:6).

         We are in a new decade. These feasts, these appointments with God are not just ancient Jewish traditions found in the old Testament. They serve a purpose in our personal relationship with God. This is the first time that any of these feasts will be celebrated in this new decade. The fact that there has been so much teaching on the subject is an indication the God wants His people to know the truth. Will you know and meet the appointment that God has ordained and set for you?

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6)

 “Where there is no vision (revelation), the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18)

March 2010

Becky DeWitt