My Bible study group studied the gospel of John for 18 months. There’s a lot of history and truth packed into those 21 chapters. In the Precept study, which is actually three studies, we spent some time talking about the feasts John mentions, their relevance to Jesus, and how that affects our faith. It was super interesting, but I wanted more time with it.
So when I was asked to review a new study called “7 Feasts: Finding Christ in the Sacred Celebrations of the Old Testament” by Erin Davis, I said yes without hesitation. It seemed like the next right thing for me. Plus the timing was ideal because I wasn’t doing another study. Now I’m three weeks in, and I’m thankful this study showed up in my life.
Before the study gets to the feasts, the introductory week spends some time talking about creation and rhythms. I loved this section so much, I texted pictures of it to a friend from my Bible study group. Sabbath is commanded with four of the seven feasts, so Davis writes about how God created and created and created and created and created and created … and then changed the pattern with a day of rest.
“The Seven Feasts and the Sabbath are examples of ways God invites His people to change the pattern – to look up from our work and rest in His work; to stop gazing at ourselves and to gaze at Him instead; to unclench our fists and open our hands for the gifts He has for His children.”
– Erin Davis in “7 Feasts“
In this eight-week study, Davis teaches the significance of these feasts and why God wanted His people to celebrate, how each of them point to Jesus and His work in redemption, and why all of this matters for our lives today. Leviticus 23 is the launching pad for this study, but Davis takes readers throughout the Old and New Testaments as she unpacks each feast. Perhaps now I won’t skim over the mention of feasts in the Bible because I can better see how they all point to Jesus, who is certainly still relevant in my life, even if animal sacrifices aren’t.
“The Israelites were commanded to observe the seven feasts as a practical way to remember who God is. God graciously structured their calendars in a way that combatted their spiritual amnesia,” Davis said in a press release about the study. “Because of Jesus, we no longer live under the letter of the law. We do still live, however, under the spirit of the law. We’re still prone to spiritual amnesia. We still need to rest in God’s redemptive plan. Our hearts still need to be shocked back into praise on a regular basis.”
I’m looking forward to learning about the relevance of a few more feasts now that I’ve spent time studying Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
About the book
After spending the first week setting a foundation by helping readers better understand the rhythms of God, author Erin Davis focuses on the following feasts in subsequent weeks:
- Passover: Reminds us of our deliverance from death.
- Feast of Unleavened Bread: Reminds us that we still face the dangerous and permeating death of sin.
- Feast of Firstfruits: Celebrates that God gives us His very best: Himself. In return, as an act of worship, we give Him our very best.
- Feast of Weeks: Reminds us that God never wastes the wait.
- Feast of Trumpets: Jesus will fulfill the Feast of Trumpets with His triumphant return.
- Day of Atonement: This day showcase’s God’s elaborate grace.
- Feast of Booths: Shines the spotlight on God and reminds His children of His character.
“7 Feasts” is a 304-page paperback published by Moody Publishers (June 2, 2020).
About the author
Erin Davis is a writer and teacher passionately committed to getting women of all ages to the deep well of God’s Word. She is the author of many books and Bible studies, including “Connected,” “Beyond Bath Time,” and “7 Feasts.” Erin hosts the Women of the Bible podcast and the Grounded videocast. When she’s not writing, you can find Erin chasing chickens and children on her small farm in the Midwest. Learn more and discover her work at ErinDavis.org.
Giveaway
And there’s a copy for one of you! Just use the Rafflecopter below to enter to win! The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. A winner will randomly be chosen Friday, Aug. 21.
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*****
I received a free copy of this study from Moody Publishers in connection with Sidedoor Communications in exchange for a review, but I genuinely love working through this study right now. They’re also providing a copy to the winner of the giveaway. I’m happy to include it in my recommended reads.
