Three Fall Feasts
Introduction
As autumn arrives with cooler air and turning leaves, Israel’s
calendar turns to three God-given feasts. Leviticus 23 gathers
them—Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Booths—calling God’s people
to remember, repent, and rejoice. Today we learn Christ’s meaning
within them (Leviticus 23).
The Feast of
Trumpets
Leviticus records a sacred memorial of trumpet blasts beginning the
seventh month, a holy convocation with special offerings and rest
before the Lord (Leviticus 23:23–25; Numbers 29:1). Trumpets
signaled gathering, renewal, and readiness. Israel stood at the
threshold of the most solemn period of the year, reminded to awaken
the heart and prepare for searching days ahead. Throughout
Scripture, the trumpet summons God’s people to remember His covenant
and to anticipate His decisive acts. The church hears this call as
well, stirring us to repentance and alert faith, awaiting the day
when the Lord’s own trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised
imperishable (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).
The Day of
Atonement
Ten days after Trumpets came the holiest day on Israel’s calendar, a
day of self-denial, rest, and sacrifice. Only on this day did the
high priest enter the Most Holy Place to make atonement first for
himself and then for the people (Leviticus 16:29–34; Leviticus
23:26–32). The day confronted Israel with sin’s reality and with
God’s gracious provision for cleansing. It taught that fellowship
with a holy God requires atonement made His way. The New Testament
reveals the perfection of this pattern in Jesus Christ, our great
High Priest, who offered Himself once for all, holy, innocent, and
exalted above the heavens (Hebrews 7:23–28; Hebrews 9:11–14). Where
yearly blood could never finish the work, His blood cleanses the
conscience and opens the living way.
The Feast
of Booths (Tabernacles)
For a full week Israel rejoiced in the Lord while dwelling in
temporary shelters, recalling the wilderness years and God’s
faithful care day by day (Leviticus 23:33–44). Families stepped
outside permanent houses to feel the night air through palm-woven
roofs and to remember that the Lord sustained them, gave water, and
fed them bread from heaven. The shelters testified to God’s
provision and taught gratitude. The church also celebrates the
Giver. We sing and give thanks always for every blessing in Christ,
overflowing with gratitude and strength through His grace (Ephesians
5:19–20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Colossians 2:7). In Christ, God dwelt
among us, and through His resurrection we have a kingdom that cannot
be shaken; therefore we worship with thankful hearts (John 1:14;
Hebrews 12:28).
Christ Our
Fulfillment
Each feast points beyond itself. Trumpets teaches readiness, and
Christ’s voice will gather His people at the last day. Atonement
reveals the cost of reconciliation, and Christ’s cross accomplishes
it once for all. Booths trains our souls to trust daily bread from
God, and Christ, the true bread from heaven, sustains the pilgrim
people until journey’s end. These appointed times become signposts,
directing hearts to Jesus, encouraging reverence, repentance, and
rejoicing as we walk in newness of life.
Living the
Lessons Today
The calendar of Israel was a teacher. It trained memory, shaped
community, and kept God’s deeds before the eyes of the people. The
church learns the same rhythms of grace: awaken to God’s call,
confess sin and receive cleansing, and live gratefully under His
care. In worship and in daily life, we answer the trumpet by drawing
near; we enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus; we dwell content
under the shelter of His hand. Such a life blesses our homes,
strengthens our assemblies, and displays the gospel’s beauty to a
weary world.
Three Fall
Feasts Sermon Outline:
Call to
Action
Come before the Lord with an awakened heart. Confess sin and trust
the once-for-all atonement of Jesus. Commit to a grateful life that
remembers God’s faithfulness each day. Walk as a pilgrim people
under His care, ready for the trumpet of Christ and steadfast in
worship, service, and hope.
Key
Takeaways
-
Trumpets
teaches readiness and renewal before God’s presence (Leviticus
23:23–25; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).
-
Atonement
reveals sin’s gravity and Christ’s perfect priesthood and
sacrifice (Leviticus 16:29–34; Hebrews 7:23–28; 9:11–14).
-
Booths
trains gratitude and trust in God’s daily provision (Leviticus
23:33–44; Ephesians 5:19–20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Colossians
2:7).
-
Christ
gathers, cleanses, and sustains His people until the final day
(1 Corinthians 15:52; John 1:14).
Scripture
Reference List
-
Leviticus 23:23–25 – Feast of
Trumpets instituted; memorial of blasts and holy convocation.
-
Numbers
29:1 – Special sacrifices for the
day of trumpet blowing.
-
Leviticus 23:26–32 – Day of
Atonement instructions; self-denial and rest.
-
Leviticus 16:29–34 – High
priest’s atoning work for himself and the people.
-
Hebrews
7:23–28 – Jesus, the sinless and
eternal High Priest.
-
Hebrews
9:11–14 – Christ’s once-for-all
sacrifice cleanses the conscience.
-
Leviticus 23:33–44 – Feast of
Booths; dwell in shelters to remember God’s care.
-
Ephesians 5:19–20 – Singing and
giving thanks to God through Jesus.
-
1
Thessalonians 5:18 – Give thanks
in everything.
-
Colossians 2:7 – Abounding in
thanksgiving as we are built up in Christ.
-
1
Corinthians 15:52 – The last
trumpet and resurrection hope.
-
1
Thessalonians 4:16 – The Lord’s
descent with the trumpet of God.
-
John
1:14 – The Word became flesh and
dwelt among us.
-
Hebrews
12:28 – Grateful worship in a
kingdom that cannot be shaken.
-
1
Corinthians 15:57 – Thanks to God
who gives victory through Jesus Christ.
Prepared by
Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
The
church of Christ
