Turning the Hearts to the Fathers – God’s Appointed Times (Introduction)

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is a consistent God.  He works in consistent patterns and cycles.  These cycles are eternal and are instituted as perpetual ordinances upon his people forever.  God is not one to leave us ignorant of his relationship with us, our redemption, his covenant provision,  his gathering arm, his sanctifying blood, and his everlasting rule as King of Kings.

These appointed times are as binding upon us today as they were when they were instituted in the creation:

“Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons (moed- appointed times), days, and years.

As it was in the days of the Creation so it was also in the Restoration of the Covenant to the House of Israel at Mount Sinai, “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 forever.”

The Seven Eternal Appointed Times:  

If you knew that the God of Heaven had set apart an Ordained Time to meet with his people, would you not want to know when these times were and what they were about so that you could prepare to meet the Creator of Heaven and Earth and be numbered among his people forever?  Or would you ignore these appointed times given to all the House Of Israel (THAT WOULD BE ALL THE TRIBES—INCLUDING EPHRAIM) as a perpetual law to observe for all time?  We speak of being called and numbered among the people of God but if we fail to recognize His covenant times and call is it possible we may miss the mark and find ourselves outside the camp of God’s people.  

Passover (Pesach)	God delivers His people from the bondage  of slavery	God passed over (in judgment) his people
Unleavened Bread (Chag ha Matzah)	God purifies his people	No leavening was to be eaten - a picture of ridding sin and contention from our homes and nation
Feast of First Fruits (Ha Bikkurim)	God provided food for his people (a harvest of barley)	God's reminder that he will always provide his people with everything they need.
Feast of Weeks/Pentecost (Shavuot)	The Extending of the Covenant. God gave the Law (The Ten Commandments) to Israel.	These laws were to be guidance for his people to find happiness and peace in their lives
Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah)	Trumpets blown to begin the countdown to the day of atonement.	The day and hour that no man knows. God's Revelation as preparation for his people.
Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)	The cleansing of the sanctuary and purging of sin of Israel as a nation	God restores his people and makes them clean as a nation.
Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)	Entering the Promised land. The establishment of the people of God in a Covenant Land of Inheritance.  The coronation of the King of Israel.	A reminder to the Israelites of the time they lived in tents in the wilderness with the Presence of God.

These Appointed times are not "Jewish Holiday" nor are they they man made traditions.  They are the appointed times of God given from the beginning to his people.  They were given to THE FATHERS. His patterns go all the way back to the beginning and are demonstrated through cycles. One of those cycles being harvests. In the Scriptures we see the phrase “in the beginning” (Beresheit-Genesis) referring to the beginning of a harvest, and the phrase “end of days” (miketz yamim) referring to the end of the harvest.

God's (YHVH) Appointed Times:

The Scriptures demonstrate the appointed times as  “My (YHVH) appointed Times":

“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: These are My appointed times, the times of the LORD (YHVH) that you will proclaim as sacred assemblies. (Leviticus 23:2)

In other words, the appointed times belong to God. They are often erroneously referred to as the Jewish Holidays, but while thankfully the Jews preserved the knowledge of these eternal appointments and cycles we must not mistake the appointed times of God as a cultural holiday like Christmas or Easter. If understood correctly, the cycle and pattern of God's appointed times will lead us into a greater understanding of God's plans for and relationship with his people.  The questions is will we be found among his assembly?  Or sit back making excuses of why we cannot come to the REAL Wedding Feast!