Scripture
9Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel climbed up the mountain. 10There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. 11And though these nobles of Israel gazed upon God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in his presence! Exodus 24:9-11
Observation
In the previous chapter God began to plan out the calendar of Israel with multiple feasts where the people of God would come together to celebrate the provision of God in His presence. Then, this amazing moment takes place where God almighty has a meal with the leaders of Israel. The Old Testament feasts literally set the table for what we are to understand about Jesus and how His desire from the beginning of creation has been to have community with his people. So the OT feasts are a foreshadow of what Jesus will restore from The Fall! There’s actually seven feasts in the OT.
Spring Feasts- Jesus’s first coming
Passover- Crucifixion of Jesus
Unleavened Bread- Burial of Jesus
First Fruits- Resurrection of Jesus
Pentecost- Coming of The Holy Spirit
Autumn Feasts- Jesus’ second coming
Trumpets- Rapture and Resurrections of Believers
Atonement- Second Coming of Jesus
Tabernacle- Messianic Kingdom Age
Application
Maybe it’s because of the 21 Day Fast we just finished, but I’m kind of amazed at how much Jesus actually wants to just spend time with us around the table. He doesn’t just love me, He actually likes to be with me. From the 7 Holy Feasts of the Old Testament to the Last Supper with Jesus to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Heaven, the way Jesus connects with us connects us to together, is, most often, at the table. Out of the the 23 parables in Luke’s Gospel, more than 15 (almost 70%) of them feature food. We have been created for community. This is community through communion with Christ and each other. Notice it was all the leaders together in God’s presence. Yes, Moses went on to spend the next 40 days alone in God’s presence, but this communal experience was also essential to drive home the fact that Jesus doesn’t just want to be with some of us, but all of us. For example, I love my time journaling alone with Jesus while He feeds me fresh bread from His Word. I also love the Life Groups where I get to hear from God through His people as they share their journal interactions with The Word. It’s kind of like the difference between a meal and a feast. I can have meals with Jesus every day, but when I’m with God’s people It’s a feast with Jesus as everyone brings something good to the table and we share it together!
Prayer
Some of my favorite memories in life are around the table with family and friends and with You. I’m thinking about last night at Life Group and how I learned so much about You through the bother’s and sisters around the table. I walked away truly full on a Biblical feast. I’m looking forward to another Life Group tomorrow morning. I’m looking forward to our Sabbath extended time of quiet on Friday and our night of worship on Saturday. I just love to be in Your presence and so very grateful You’ve provided a way through Your sacrifice on The Cross for me to spend every waking moment with You! I'm showing up to the feast!
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