◄ Leviticus 23:25 ►
You must not do any regular work, but you are to present an offering made by fire to the LORD.'"
Study Bible
You must not do any regular work
This command is part of the instructions for the observance of the Feast of Trumpets, a sacred assembly for the Israelites. The prohibition against regular work underscores the importance of setting aside time for worship and reflection. This mirrors the Sabbath principle found in Exodus 20:8-11, where rest is commanded to honor God. The cessation of work symbolizes trust in God's provision and a focus on spiritual matters over daily labor. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to find rest in Christ (Matthew 11:28-30).

but you are to present a food offering to the LORD.
The food offering, or "offering by fire," was a central aspect of Israelite worship, symbolizing dedication and thanksgiving to God. These offerings were a tangible expression of devotion and reliance on God for sustenance. The act of offering food to the LORD is a reminder of God's provision and the covenant relationship between God and His people. In the broader biblical narrative, these offerings prefigure the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:10-14). The offerings also point to the spiritual sacrifices believers are called to make, as described in Romans 12:1, where lives are offered as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the laws and commandments from God, including the instructions in Leviticus.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, to whom the laws in Leviticus were given as part of their covenant relationship with Him.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, who commands the observance of holy days and offerings.

4. The Tabernacle
The portable sanctuary where offerings were made, representing God's presence among His people.

5. Feast of Trumpets
A sacred assembly and one of the appointed feasts of the LORD, marked by rest and offerings.
Teaching Points
Observance of Holy Days
The command to refrain from regular work on holy days underscores the importance of setting aside time for worship and reflection. In our busy lives, we must prioritize time for God, recognizing His sovereignty over our schedules.

Sacrificial Offerings
The offerings made by fire symbolize dedication and purification. Today, we are called to offer our lives as living sacrifices, dedicating our actions and decisions to God's glory.

Rest as a Divine Principle
The principle of rest is not only physical but also spiritual. Observing rest allows us to trust in God's provision and sovereignty, reminding us that our worth is not based on productivity.

Community Worship
The communal aspect of the Feast of Trumpets highlights the importance of gathering with fellow believers. Corporate worship strengthens our faith and encourages us to live out our beliefs in community.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the command to refrain from regular work on holy days challenge our modern understanding of rest and productivity?

2. In what ways can we present ourselves as "offerings made by fire" in our daily lives, as suggested by Romans 12:1?

3. How does the concept of rest in Leviticus 23:25 connect to the spiritual rest described in Hebrews 4:9-10?

4. What are some practical ways we can prioritize time for God amidst our busy schedules, reflecting the observance of holy days?

5. How can participating in community worship, as seen in the Feast of Trumpets, enhance our personal faith journey and relationship with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:8-11
The commandment to observe the Sabbath, emphasizing rest and holiness, similar to the rest commanded in Leviticus 23:25.

Numbers 29:1-6
Further details on the offerings and sacrifices to be made during the Feast of Trumpets.

Hebrews 4:9-10
The concept of rest as a spiritual principle, pointing to the ultimate rest found in Christ.

Romans 12:1
The idea of presenting ourselves as living sacrifices, connecting the physical offerings of the Old Testament to spiritual worship in the New Testament.
Sermons
The FestivalsR.A. Redford Leviticus 23:1-44
Feasts of the LordW. H. Jellie.Leviticus 23:2-44
God's FestivalsHenry, MatthewLeviticus 23:2-44
God's Holy DaysHenry, MatthewLeviticus 23:2-44
Seven Feasts Mentioned in This ChapterD. C. Hughes, M. A.Leviticus 23:2-44
The Great FeastsJ. C. Gray.Leviticus 23:2-44
The Holy FestivalsJ. A. Seiss, . D. D.Leviticus 23:2-44
Feast of TrumpetsR.M. Edgar Leviticus 23:23-25
The Feast of TrumpetsJ. B. Lowe, B. A.Leviticus 23:23-25
The Feast of TrumpetsJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 23:23-25
The Feast of TrumpetsR.A. Redford Leviticus 23:23-25
The HebdomadJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 23:23-44
People
Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Bring, Field-work, Fire, Fire-offering, Laborious, Manner, Offer, Offering, Present, Regular, Servile, Therein
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 23:23-28

     8270   holiness, set apart

Leviticus 23:23-36

     7435   sacrifice, in OT

Leviticus 23:24-25

     5338   holiday
     7359   Feast of Trumpets

Library
The Consecration of Joy
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 34. Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord. 35. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 36. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord; on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Of a Private Fast.
That we may rightly perform a private fast, four things are to be observed:--First, The author; Secondly, The time and occasion; Thirdly, The manner; Fourthly, The ends of private fasting. 1. Of the Author. The first that ordained fasting was God himself in paradise; and it was the first law that God made, in commanding Adam to abstain from eating the forbidden fruit. God would not pronounce nor write his law without fasting (Lev. xxiii), and in his law commands all his people to fast. So does our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
IT was the last, the great day of the Feast,' and Jesus was once more in the Temple. We can scarcely doubt that it was the concluding day of the Feast, and not, as most modern writers suppose, its Octave, which, in Rabbinic language, was regarded as a festival by itself.' [3987] [3988] But such solemn interest attaches to the Feast, and this occurrence on its last day, that we must try to realise the scene. We have here the only Old Testament type yet unfilfilled; the only Jewish festival which has …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes - Examination of their Distinctive Doctrines.
APART from the repulsively carnal form which it had taken, there is something absolutely sublime in the continuance and intensity of the Jewish expectation of the Messiah. It outlived not only the delay of long centuries, but the persecutions and scattering of the people; it continued under the disappointment of the Maccabees, the rule of a Herod, the administration of a corrupt and contemptible Priesthood, and, finally, the government of Rome as represented by a Pilate; nay, it grew in intensity …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Chronology
45. The length of the public ministry of Jesus was one of the earliest questions which arose in the study of the four gospels. In the second and third centuries it was not uncommon to find the answer in the passage from Isaiah (lxi. 1, 2), which Jesus declared was fulfilled in himself. "The acceptable year of the Lord" was taken to indicate that the ministry covered little more than a year. The fact that the first three gospels mention but one Passover (that at the end), and but one journey to Jerusalem, …
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

"But if the Spirit of Him that Raised up Jesus from the Dead Dwell in You, He that Raised up Christ from the Dead Shall Also
Rom. viii. 11.--"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." It is true the soul is incomparably better than the body, and he is only worthy the name of a man and of a Christian who prefers this more excellent part, and employs his study and time about it, and regards his body only for the noble guest that lodges within it, and therefore it is one of the …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Jesus Living at Nazareth and visiting Jerusalem in his Twelfth Year.
(Nazareth and Jerusalem, a.d. 7 or 8.) ^C Luke II. 40-52. ^c 40 And the child grew [This verse contains the history of thirty years. It describes the growth of our Lord as a natural, human growth (compare Luke i. 80); for, though Jesus was truly divine, he was also perfectly man. To try to distinguish between the divine and human in Jesus, is to waste time upon an impracticable mystery which is too subtle for our dull and finite minds], and waxed strong [His life expanded like other human lives. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Healing Peter's Mother-In-Law and Many Others.
(at Capernaum.) ^A Matt. VIII. 14-17; ^B Mark I. 29-34; ^C Luke IV. 38-41. ^c 38 And he arose out of the synagogue [where he had just healed the demoniac], ^b 29 And straightway, when they were come out of the synagogue, they came { ^c entered} ^b into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. [Peter and Andrew had dwelt at Bethsaida (John i. 44). They may have removed to Capernaum, or Bethsaida, being near by, may be here counted as a part, or suburb, of Capernaum. Its name does not contradict …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision A. Jesus Cleanses the Temple. ^D John II. 13-25. ^d 13 And the passover of the Jews was at hand [We get our information as to the length of our Lord's ministry from John's Gospel. He groups his narrative around six Jewish festivals: 1, He here mentions the first passover; 2, another feast, which we take to have been also a passover (v. 1); 3, another passover (vi. 4); 4, the feast of tabernacles (vii. 2); 5, dedication (x. 22); 6, passover (xi. 55). This …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
(from Bethany to Jerusalem and Back, Sunday, April 2, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXI. 1-12, 14-17; ^B Mark XI. 1-11; ^C Luke XIX. 29-44; ^D John XII. 12-19. ^c 29 And ^d 12 On the morrow [after the feast in the house of Simon the leper] ^c it came to pass, when he he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, ^a 1 And when they came nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage unto { ^b at} ^a the mount of Olives [The name, Bethphage, is said to mean house of figs, but the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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