Biblical Feasts and the Redemption of Family

We are entering the time of the biblical feasts of Rosh Hashanah (the Feast of Trumpets) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). Shortly following these two events is the Feast of Tabernacles. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are described in Leviticus 23:23–32.

Rosh Hashanah is the start of the Jewish New Year. Trumpets were sounded to announce the new year and the beginning of the season of the Feast of Tabernacles (the only feast that will be celebrated in the days of the kingdom signifying God dwelling in His creation). Tradition holds that Rosh Hashanah represents the day God created Adam and Eve in His image and likeness and is celebrated as the "birthday of the world." The blowing of trumpets is both a reminder to the people of God’s intention in creating mankind and specifically His redeemed people who would live and raise families to dwell in His presence; and it is a reminder to God of the same.

The ten days surrounding Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are called “high holy days.” Following the two-day feast of Rosh Hashanah are seven days of repentance and reflection. Then on the tenth day is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. On this day, God provided atonement for His people, removing sin from their midst. The book of Hebrews presents a beautiful picture of how Jesus, through His own sacrificial death on our behalf, fulfilled this biblical feast and forever made atonement for all the families of the earth (Heb 9:11–12). Through Jesus Christ, men and women who were created in the image of God have been redeemed to once again live in the presence of God. What a beautiful reality these feasts point to.

The book of Genesis gives us the account of the creation of man and woman as image bearers of God. Husband and wife were to cleave together in love, becoming one and producing a godly offspring. Through family, they were to fill the earth with the knowledge of God, steward creation, and continually live with their Heavenly Father’s abiding presence. However, the introduction of sin created a devastating impact on families. Perhaps this is why these feasts season point to the creation of family, repentance for what has torn families apart, and the redemption through Christ for all the families of the earth. By turning their hearts to Jesus, families can once again become a housing for God’s presence and raise a godly offspring that will know their Heavenly Father and further His will on earth.

Our Heavenly Father, through this feast season, reminds of the redemption we have in His Son. Our sins are forgiven. We are healed and delivered from the devastating impact of sin. We are restored in our relationship with Him and given the opportunity to become the families that He intended us to be. It is a time to reflect and commit to be those who inherit the promise that through Christ all the families of the earth would be blessed—and participate with Him in bringing that same promise of blessing to others.