Exodus 34:18-35

The festivals in the Bible, also called the L-rd’s appointed times, teach us Biblical truth. They remind us of the things that G-d has done, and the things that He will do to bring about a completion to His purpose i.e. His Kingdom. G-d tells us what not to do, but He also tells us what to do (ie for example these festivals) in order to safeguard ourselves against idolatry.

v18: We are not under the law, not obligated, to keep the Feast of Unleavened bread (Passover) today, BUT it still has relevance for us (1 Cor 5:6-8) and is a tool that we can utilize in guarding ourselves against the attacks of the enemy.

· Came out from Egypt: It is like a memorial and reminds us, every year, about our redemption/salvation. G-d redeemed us so that we can live a sanctified (unleavened) life, living a life without the effects of sin.

v19: Open the womb – ie the firstborn

v20: Break his neck – if a person was unable to redeem his firstborn donkey he wasn’t allowed to receive any benefit from it and had to put it to death.

· Empty handed – It was necessary to go before the L-rd with an offering – and that offering was tied to redemption.

v21: In ploughing… and in harvest: At the busiest time of our lives it was still a requirement to cease activities and rest (The Sabbath festival was a weekly event)

v22: The Feast of Weeks – also called Shavuot or Pentecost.

· First fruits had to do with wheat and barley

· Feast of Ingathering also called Feast of Tabernacles.

Note: all of these festivals have NT applications attached to them.

v23: The men were required to go three times a year to Jerusalem to keep three Festivals (also called Pilgrimage festivals) – Passover, Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles (or Ingathering).

v24: When the men (those 20 years and older) responded to G-d (by obedience in keeping the festivals) G-d responded to them and the situations they faced in their own lives.

v25: Two things were tied to the Passover sacrifice – no leaven (a symbol of sin), and a need to be totally consumed (no leftovers)

v26: These two things have been explained previously in our study.

v28: The number 40 signifies change. Change comes through the revelation of G-d.

· The ten commandments are foundational. All the other commands are based on the foundation of these ten. In the NT Yeshua breaks these ten down into the most foundational two – Matt 22:36-40.

v29: Ten commandments, here, are referred to as the “Tablets of Testimony”.

· Shone – like the ray of the sun, illumination. Moses’ appearance changed from being intimate with, and in the Presence of, G-d.

v32: Mount Sinai – Elevated location. Shows a different perspective. Through the commandments of G-d we see things from a different vantage point.

v35: The veil showed a separation. The people were afraid, and this veil (separation) set their minds at ease. It is only through redemption that we can experience intimacy with G-d.

When we walk in the Spirit, and not in the flesh, we are going to manifest the glory of G-d.