The Appointed Feasts

231 The Lord spoke again to Moses , saying , 2 "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ' The Lord'S appointed times which you shall proclaim as holy convocations -My appointed times are these : 3 ' For six days work may be done , but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest , a holy convocation . You shall not do any work ; it is a sabbath to the Lord in all your dwellings .

4 'These are the appointed times of the Lord , holy convocations which you shall proclaim at the times appointed for them

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 23:1-4

Commentary on Leviticus 23:1-3

(Read Leviticus 23:1-3)

In this chapter we have the institution of holy times; many of which have been mentioned before. Though the yearly feasts were made more remarkable by general attendance at the sanctuary, yet these must not be observed more than the sabbath. On that day they must withdraw from all business of the world. It is a sabbath of rest, typifying spiritual rest from sin, and rest in God. God's sabbaths are to be religiously observed in every private house, by every family apart, as well as by families together, in holy assemblies. The sabbath of the Lord in our dwellings will be their beauty, strength, and safety; it will sanctify, build up, and glorify them.

Commentary on Leviticus 23:4-14

(Read Leviticus 23:4-14)

The feast of the Passover was to continue seven days; not idle days, spent in sport, as many that are called Christians spend their holy-days. Offerings were made to the Lord at his altar; and the people were taught to employ their time in prayer, and praise, and godly meditation. The sheaf of first-fruits was typical of the Lord Jesus, who is risen from the dead as the First-fruits of them that slept. Our Lord Jesus rose from the dead on the very day that the first-fruits were offered. We are taught by this law to honour the Lord with our substance, and with the first-fruits of all our increase, Proverbs 3:9. They were not to eat of their new corn, till God's part was offered to him out of it; and we must always begin with God: begin every day with him, begin every meal with him, begin every affair and business with him; seek first the kingdom of God.