The Advent of the Messiah as one of God’s Moedim:
Part One of a Teaching Series by Dr. Stephen Isaac
Moedim – The journey of God’s appointed times. The Jewish people are unparalleled in culture and tradition — especially during times of festivity. Throughout the year, the seven main Jewish holidays (moedim) abound. These are, without question, days and weeks with major significance to the people of Israel, from the single-day celebration of Purim in the spring to the eight-day festival of Hanukkah in winter.
The Hebrew Moedim:
As we noted, seven appointed times take precedence on the calendars of the Jewish people. Israel calls these appointed times the moedim (מועדים). Though this Hebrew word can be defined as “appointed times,” this translation fails to do it justice. The Hebrew language has far fewer words than English, yet every word is rich with meaning. Let me expand on what this means and why it is essential. How many synonyms can you think of for the word “snow?” One, two, maybe three? Well, the Inuit people, who live in the far northern areas where snow is all too common, like Alaska, Siberia, and Greenland, have over 50 different words for the single word “snow”.
The Inuit words for “snow” are based on the size, thickness, shape, quantity, temperature, etc. of the snow. There are dozens of descriptive words to use other than “snow.” Keeping this in mind, an Inuit might argue that if we only have two words for snow, everything will be a less-than-perfect translation. To them, the word is vibrant with meaning.
The same is true of the word moedim, for the people of Israel.
Moedim does not solely mean a festive time or a season of celebration. It is a time to remember and reflect on all of the times when God has revealed and fulfilled Himself as mighty and strong, loving and holy, and faithful and true. The God of the Covenant – The God of appointed times and divine seasons. The God of Moedim.
The Appointed Time
In Leviticus 23, two different Hebrew words translate to “feast.” The first word is “Mo-ahd,” and is often translated as “appointed time.” Mo-ahd means to set an appointment, as in a set time or season, for a specific assembly, feast, or sacred event. For the Christ follower, the Advent of the Messiah is surely one of God’s Moedim.
The plural form of “mo-ahd” is “moedim.” This particular word for feast refers to the weekly Sabbaths and all the Levitical Holy Days. Mo-ahd also has a root meaning, “to repeat,” and can mean “a signal as appointed beforehand.” There are things to be repeated each time the preset appointed time arrives. For example, when a child has a birthday, the signals or signs that their birthday has arrived typically include a cake and gifts, and this is usually repeated every year. So it is with God’s appointed times. The feasts are “signals and signs” to help us know what is on the heart of the Lord.
The Story of a Journey
The people of Israel recall when God delivered their fathers out of the land of Egypt. After that, He led them through the wilderness. They reminisce about the joyous day their people finally crossed the Jordan River. They stepped into the land of Canaan that had been promised long before to their father Abraham.
The moedim affirm a covenant relationship with the LORD. They signify life. Yes, these are the most wonderful days of the year for the people of Israel. But you and I need to ask, where can we see the moedim in Scripture?
Firstly, we can read all about the moedim in Leviticus 23. But ultimately, they are interwoven throughout the Torah. Each moedim is directly tied to a time when the LORD blessed the people of Israel. Or at least when He was active on their behalf. Something that makes them even more amazing is how each moedim points to the Advent of the Messiah and the story of salvation.
When are the Hebrew Moedim?
There are four Spring moedim and three fall moedim. Below is a list of their English names with Hebrew transliteration:
Spring Moedim
Passover – Pesach
Feast of Unleavened Bread – Hag HaMatzot
First Fruits – Yom Habikkurim
Festival of Weeks (Pentecost) – Shavuot
Fall Moedim
Feast of Trumpets – Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah)
Day of Atonement – Yom Kippur
Feast of Tabernacles – Sukkot
The Messianic Fulfillment of the Moedim:
Moedim means more than just festivals or seasons. It is a Hebrew word that conveys to you and I the rich meaning of God’s appointed times, signs, and signals of the promises and fulfillments of the New Covenant, and how they point to the Advent of the Messiah and the story of salvation.
There’s a significant difference in how Christian believers observe the Spring moedim (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost). These holidays have already been fulfilled in the life of Yeshua (Jesus).
In dying on the cross, Yeshua fulfilled the first two festivals. Passover deals with redemption through the death of a lamb. Unleavened Bread is about getting rid of leaven (sin). The death of the Lamb of God (Passover) paid the price for our indebtedness and gave us freedom from sin (Unleavened Bread).
Yeshua’s resurrection from the grave fulfilled the holiday of First Fruits. This holiday deals with offering God the first of the produce.
1 Corinthians 15:20
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
Finally, Pentecost (or Shavuot) was fulfilled in Acts 2 upon the receiving of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost concerns the seal of the covenant relationship with God, as the people received the Law on Mt. Sinai. Yeshua gave us the promise of the Holy Spirit. We received Him right after Yeshua ascended into heaven.
Ephesians 1:13
“In him you also… were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit living inside of us is the fulfillment of Shavuot.
The Substance and Depth of Moedim:
Many of us have heard the term “the second coming of the Messiah.” We recognize that Yeshua died, was resurrected, and ascended into Heaven. And He is also coming back again, hence the “second” advent or coming. This too is connected to the festivals. Because when He returns for the second and final time, He will fulfill the fall feasts, the fall moedim. This is one of the reasons we, as Christians, should anxiously await His appointed time—His promised return, the Second Advent.
To the people of Israel, the moedim are essential. God commands them, and there are appointed times of celebration and remembering. They have distinct completion and fulfillment in Yeshua—Jesus. The Spring moedim have been fulfilled, and the Fall moedim will be fulfilled upon Christ’s return.
The intricacy of each moedim functions as a sign to us today that there are truly appointed times. They unveil the story of salvation, even for the Gentiles, and they connect to many significant events in history. The moedim even play a role in Yeshua’s personal life on earth. This is why they are not only a part of the Jewish calendar, but they are in the calendar of God (to be continued).
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