Text:Ex. 20; Ruth; Lev. 23:15-22

Today we will be looking at the Feast of weeks or Pentecost. Biblically it is the Feast of Weeks but the Greek word pentecost was adopted because this feast happens 50 days after the Feast of Unleavened Bread is completed. The foundation goes all the way back to the giving of the Ten Commandments in the Book of Ex. chapter 20. In the third month of Nissan, which is our May, God leads Moses up to the top of Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments and many other specifications in dealing with sacrifice, the Tabernacle, feasts and more. When Moses comes down some time later, he finds some of the children of Israel dancing naked around a golden calf in demonic worship. He calls all who are faithful to God to join him and then tells them to slay the unfaithful. This amount is recorded as around 3000 men, Ex. 32.

Then in Lev. chapter 23 we see God gives the commands for Feast of Weeks which is to start the day after 7 weeks is completed following the Feast of Unleavened Bread. God also commands two loaves baked with leaven this time to be consumed. The two loaves we understand as being the Jews and the Gentiles both coming into the marriage of the Lamb.

Ruth also traditionally is read the night of the Feast of Weeks. This book is very fitting because when God gave the Ten Commandments to Israel, it was His marriage contract to them. In Ruth, we see Boaz picturing Christ as the Kinsman Redeemer. Ruth and Boaz were then married around the harvest time of Barley which very well could have been close to the Feast of Weeks. In the 50 days between the two feasts, marriage was forbidden so there were many marriages that were pushed to just after the Feast of Weeks. Ruth as we know then gives birth to David the King of Israel and the man after God’s own heart.

Then we have the actual giving of the Holy Spirit to believers in Acts 2. This is the earnest payment from God or what we would call a dowry. This happens on the Feast of Weeks and perfectly completed Christ’s spring festivals. May we allow God to replenish our spirits and reach up to God for what we need.