Over the years our family has learned the commandments of YHVH concerning the ways of the nations ie., Christmas, Easter, and Halloween (Deut. 12:30-32). As we have learned His commandments, we have found that we are to learn and keep His Feasts and Holy Days.

As we look forward to preparing for a new year of learning how to keep YHVH’s feasts and appointed times, and learning the purpose for and the circumstances around each feast, I want to take time to evaluate the reasons we see the necessity in keeping them.

One reason we have chosen to practice the feasts and appointed times of YHVH is to gain a clearer understanding of who He is and what His plan is. YHVH commanded us to keep seven appointed times and feasts. Each appointed time is a physical action that YHVH uses to teach us spiritual matters. Each appointed time is tied to an event in history in which YHVH did something. We are reminded of what YHVH did by keeping the feasts and appointed times. Each appointed time also points to something that YHVH will do in the future.

• Passover – Jesus became our Passover lamb (1 Cor 5:7)
• Feast of Unleavened Bread – Jesus taught “true” worship and doctrine – The Word (John 6:48-51)
• First Fruits – Jesus became the firstfruits (1 Cor 15:20-24)
• Shavuot – YHVH wrote His law on the hearts of man (Acts 2)
• Day of Trumpets – His Return (Mat 25:36-51)
• Yom Kippur – The final judgment (Mat 25:14-16)
• Sukkot – YHVH will dwell among His people (Rev 21:1-4)
• Sabbath – The final rest (Heb 4:1-11)

The most important reason we keep the feasts and appointed times of YHVH is that He commands it. The most common arguments against the keeping of Feasts and Holy Days are “the Feasts have been done away with,” and “the Feasts were given to Israel, not us.” In answer to these arguments, I want to simply provide scripture:

Answering the argument that ‘The Feasts have been done away with’:

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.     Matthew 5:18-19

(When speaking of Passover and Unleavened Bread) And this day shall be unto you for a memorial, and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.     Exodus 12:14

(Paul speaking to those in Ephesus) But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will.    Acts 18:21

And in a controversy they shall stand to judge; according to Mine ordinances shall they judge it; and they shall keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed seasons, and they shall hallow My sabbaths.     Ezekiel 44:24

Answering the argument that ‘The Feasts were given to Israel, not us’:

‘One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.’     Exodus 12:49

And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh: Thus saith the LORD: Israel is My son, My first-born.      Exodus 4:22

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.    Romans 8:14-15

As a family, we have decided to practice all seven appointed times, as best we can, for the first time this year. Because we are His children, we are happy to obey the rules He set out for us. We look forward to the day when He will say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” We are excited for the understanding of YHVH’s plan and what He has done for us. Most of all, we anticipate a closer relationship with Him as we get to know Him, and understand His character.

Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.     Psalms 119:18