Topical Bible: The Feast of Pentecost: Called The: Feast of Harvest

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Feast of Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Harvest, is one of the major Jewish festivals outlined in the Old Testament. It is celebrated on the fiftieth day after the Sabbath of Passover week, marking the conclusion of the grain harvest. This feast holds significant agricultural, historical, and spiritual importance within the biblical narrative.

Biblical Foundation and Observance

The Feast of Harvest is first mentioned in the Book of Exodus, where it is described as a time to bring the firstfruits of the harvest to the Lord. Exodus 23:16 states, "You are to celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field." This command underscores the festival's role in acknowledging God's provision and blessing upon the land and its produce.

Leviticus 23:15-21 provides further instructions for the observance of Pentecost. The Israelites were to count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath following Passover, culminating in the fiftieth day, which was to be a day of sacred assembly. On this day, they were to present a new grain offering to the Lord, along with burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings. The passage emphasizes the communal and celebratory nature of the feast, as well as its role in fostering gratitude and worship.

Historical and Theological Significance

The Feast of Pentecost is not only an agricultural festival but also a commemoration of a pivotal event in Israel's history. Jewish tradition associates Pentecost with the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, which occurred fifty days after the Exodus from Egypt. This connection highlights the feast's dual significance as both a celebration of physical sustenance and a reminder of the spiritual covenant between God and His people.

In the New Testament, Pentecost takes on additional significance with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, as recorded in Acts 2. This event marks the birth of the Christian Church and the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit as a guide and comforter. Acts 2:1-4 describes the scene: "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of a fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

Symbolism and Christian Reflection

For Christians, Pentecost is a time to reflect on the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church and individual believers. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of the Spirit, who equips and empowers the faithful for service and witness. The Feast of Harvest, therefore, symbolizes not only the physical gathering of crops but also the spiritual harvest of souls brought into the Kingdom of God.

The Feast of Pentecost, with its rich layers of meaning, continues to be a source of inspiration and reflection for believers, reminding them of God's faithfulness, provision, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 23:16
And the feast of harvest, the first fruits of your labors, which you have sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when you have gathered in your labors out of the field.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Miracle of Pentecost and the Birthday of the Christian
... The feast of languages in the Roman Propaganda perpetuates this ... at once, as on the
day of Pentecost, it would ... fire "sat upon each of them""were called to be ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 24 the miracle of.htm

At the Feast of Tabernacles - First Discourse in the Temple
... of the festive week, the half-holy days were called. ... For this was pre-eminently the
Feast for foreign ... nor yet quite so readily in summer's heat for Pentecost. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi at the feast.htm

The Two Sabbath-Controversies - the Plucking of the Ears of Corn ...
... we know that the fifty days between the Feast of Passover and that of Pentecost
were counted ... day of reckoning, or Sephirah,' as it was called ({hebrew ...
/.../chapter xxxv the two sabbath-controversies.htm

Concerning the Festivals; and How Each Day of Such Festival is to ...
... day, which is Pentecost, but is called by the Hebrews Asartha, which signifies
Pentecost, they bring ... and must slay sacrifices, in order to feast upon them. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning the festivals.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... son of Nakhor (Nahor), was so called by his ... The Passover and the feast of Tabernacles
lasted each of ... seven weeks after the Passover came Pentecost; the great ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

Way-Marks in John's Narrative.
... the Passovers, the Tabernacles or harvest-home feast of the autumn, and one called
"the Dedication ... That classical Pentecost Chapter of Acts gives the wide ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/way-marks in johns narrative.htm

The Passover visit
... On completing this year a Hebrew boy was called a son ... were three annual feasts, the
Passover, the Pentecost, and the ... On the second day of the feast, the first ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 8 the passover visit.htm

Pentecost
... As they called to remembrance the words that Christ had ... largely of the new wine prepared
for the feast. ... witnessed the marvelous scenes of the Day of Pentecost. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 4 pentecost.htm

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
... did the three great festivals"Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles ... and failure to
name the feast prevents mistaken ... sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxvii jesus heals on the.htm

The God of the Rain
... Pentecost was a feast of the first-fruits of the ... The Feast of Tabernacles was a great
national harvest home. ... the Christian faith by science falsely so called.'. ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xvii the god of.htm