07 August 2025
BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS
Daily Bible Reading
Leviticus 23 – The Feasts of the Lord – Signs of Divine Fellowship
God’s Holy Calendar: Insights into the Nature of His Redemption
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Bible Text – Leviticus 23 (KJV)
1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.
3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.
4 These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.
5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord‘s passover.
6 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.
7 In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
8 But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
9 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:
11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.
12 And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the Lord.
13 And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the Lord for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.
14 And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
15 And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:
16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord.
17 Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals; they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the Lord.
18 And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the Lord, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the Lord.
19 Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings.
20 And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the Lord, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the Lord for the priest.
21 And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.
22 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the Lord your God.
23 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
25 Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
26 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God.
29 For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.
30 And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.
31 Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.
33 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord.
35 On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
36 Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.
37 These are the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:
38 Beside the sabbaths of the Lord, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the Lord.
39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the Lord seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.
40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days.
41 And ye shall keep it a feast unto the Lord seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:
43 That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
44 And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the Lord.
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Introduction
God Himself gave the people of Israel a calendar—not filled with random or human-made dates, but with fixed appointments designed for encounters with the Eternal. In Leviticus 23, we find a complete overview of the “Feasts of the Lord.” These were not merely religious rituals, but expressions of God’s plan to lead His people through symbols and actions into truth and toward the Messiah.
Each feast is a prophetic shadow that finds its fulfillment in Christ—and continues to speak to our hearts today.
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Commentary
1. The Sabbath (v. 3)
The weekly day of rest is not just a time to stop working—it’s a sign of both creation and redemption. God invites His people every week into fellowship—to rest, rejoice, and recognize Him.
2. Passover & Feast of Unleavened Bread (vv. 5–8)
Passover remembers the deliverance from Egypt—the blood of the lamb saved the firstborn. It is the strongest symbol of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, “our Passover Lamb” (1 Cor 5:7).
The unleavened bread represents the removal of sin—Christ, the Bread of Life, was without sin.
3. The Firstfruits (vv. 9–14)
On the day after the Sabbath, the first sheaf is waved before God—a picture of the resurrection of Christ, “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor 15:20).
4. Pentecost / Feast of Weeks (vv. 15–22)
Fifty days after the firstfruits comes Pentecost—the giving of the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit. Two loaves made with leaven symbolize the church made up of Jews and Gentiles—not yet perfect, but sanctified through the sacrifice.
5. Feast of Trumpets (vv. 24–25)
A holy Sabbath of remembrance—a prophetic image of the gathering of God’s people, the awakening before judgment, and the announcement of the coming King.
6. Day of Atonement – Yom Kippur (vv. 26–32)
The holiest day of the year. A day of self-examination, repentance, cleansing, and deep humility. A day when the people are symbolically atoned through sacrifice—fulfilled in Christ, the High Priest, who entered the heavenly sanctuary with His own blood (Hebrews 9:11–12).
7. Feast of Tabernacles (vv. 33–44)
A festival of joy and remembrance. The booths recall God’s provision in the wilderness. Prophetically, it points to the coming kingdom of God—God’s dwelling with His people (cf. Rev 21:3).
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Summary
Leviticus 23 is more than a historical festival calendar. It is God’s roadmap of salvation—from deliverance (Passover), to sanctification (Unleavened Bread), resurrection (Firstfruits), the outpouring of the Spirit (Pentecost), preparation (Trumpets), cleansing (Atonement), and end-time joy (Tabernacles).
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Message for Us Today
God still calls us to sacred times—into our weeks, years, and lives. He wants us to pause, to remember, to be cleansed, and to rejoice.
In Christ, all these feasts are fulfilled—but their spiritual value remains.
We still need rest (Sabbath), cleansing (Atonement), and joy (Tabernacles) to live in holy fellowship with God.
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Reflection Questions
Which of these feasts speaks to me especially today? Where do I need to better understand that my faith is part of a greater story—God’s story? How can I honor God’s sacred times today—in my daily life, in my worship, and in my spiritual rhythm?
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August 3 – 9, 2025
BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS
Weekly Reading from the Spirit of Prophecy
Ellen White | Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 21
Joseph and His Brothers
Read online here
Introduction
The life story of Joseph is a powerful testimony of how God uses human evil to bring about good. Betrayed, sold, slandered, and forgotten—yet exalted, used, and blessed. In his reunion with his brothers, forgiveness, character growth, and divine providence reach a moving climax in biblical history.
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Commentary
1. Foresight and Responsibility (Genesis 41)
Joseph uses his God-given gift of dream interpretation to prepare Egypt for a coming famine. Despite his rise to power, he remains humble: “God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
2. Famine Strikes Canaan (Genesis 42)
The brothers travel to Egypt, unaware they are standing before Joseph. He recognizes them—they do not recognize him. Joseph tests them, not for revenge, but to reveal the change in their hearts.
God uses trials to uncover what lies deep within us.
3. Repentance, Responsibility, and Change (Genesis 43–44)
The once hard-hearted brothers show depth of character: Judah offers himself in place of Benjamin. One of the most moving moments in Scripture—proof of genuine transformation.
4. Reconciliation and God’s Plan (Genesis 45)
Joseph reveals his identity: “I am Joseph!” He sees God’s hand in all that has happened. No bitterness—only healing.
Forgiveness is not weakness; it is the greatest evidence of divine love.
5. Jacob Moves to Egypt (Genesis 46–47)
God Himself confirms Jacob’s journey. In Goshen, the people of Israel are preserved, set apart, and provided for—a place of preparation.
6. Blessings and Prophetic Words (Genesis 48–49)
Jacob blesses his sons—prophetically, wisely, justly. Judah receives the messianic promise, Joseph the double portion.
7. The Death of Joseph – and a Look Ahead (Genesis 50)
Joseph dies, but his hope lives on: “God will surely visit you.”
He knows Egypt is not the homeland. The exodus will come.
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Summary
Joseph’s story is a bridge from Canaan to Egypt—and ultimately a picture of redemption.
It shows how God brings His plan to fulfillment, even through human failure.
It is full of transformation, reconciliation, and trust in divine providence.
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Message for Us Today
God is sovereign, even when people act unjustly.
Reconciliation heals generational wounds. Joseph could have sought revenge but chose forgiveness.
Your story does not end in pain. God continues to write—with hope, comfort, and a greater perspective.
True greatness is revealed in humility. Joseph remained a servant—even as a ruler.
Trials reveal your character. The brothers passed the test. What trials are shaping you today?
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Reflection Question
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Have you ever experienced injustice that God later turned into something good?
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Is there someone you need to forgive—not because they deserve it, but because God is calling you to freedom?
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Do you live with the awareness that you are a “stranger” in this world, on a journey toward your true home?
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What role does God’s providence play in how you view suffering, success, and the way you live your life?
Talk to God:
“Lord, I don’t always understand Your way—but I trust Your plan.”
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