Topical Bible: The Feast of the New Moon: Disliked by the Ungodly

Bible > Topical > The Feast of the New Moon

◄ The Feast of the New Moon: Disliked by the Ungodly ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Feast of the New Moon, a significant observance in ancient Israel, is rooted in the biblical calendar and holds a place of importance in the worship and communal life of God's people. This feast, occurring at the beginning of each month, is marked by the appearance of the new moon and is a time for offerings, sacrifices, and communal gathering. Despite its sacred nature, the Feast of the New Moon is often met with disdain by the ungodly, who fail to appreciate its spiritual significance and divine ordinance.

Biblical Foundation and Observance

The Feast of the New Moon is instituted in the Torah, where God commands the Israelites to observe it as a time of special offerings and sacrifices. Numbers 28:11-15 outlines the specific offerings to be made: "On the first day of each month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all without blemish." This observance is a reminder of God's provision and sovereignty over time and creation.

The New Moon was also a time for the blowing of trumpets, as stated in Psalm 81:3 : "Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and at the full moon on the day of our Feast." This act served as a call to worship and a reminder of God's covenant with His people.

Spiritual Significance

The Feast of the New Moon is not merely a ritualistic observance but carries deep spiritual significance. It is a time for reflection, renewal, and recommitment to God's covenant. The offerings and sacrifices symbolize the people's dependence on God and their desire to maintain a right relationship with Him. The New Moon serves as a monthly reminder of God's faithfulness and the need for continual spiritual renewal.

Disdain by the Ungodly

Despite its importance, the Feast of the New Moon is often met with disdain by those who do not follow God's ways. The prophet Amos highlights this attitude in Amos 8:5 , where the ungodly express impatience with the observance: "When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat?" This verse reveals the heart of those who prioritize material gain over spiritual devotion, viewing the feast as an inconvenience rather than a sacred duty.

The ungodly's dislike for the Feast of the New Moon is rooted in their rejection of God's authority and their preference for worldly pursuits. Their impatience with the observance reflects a broader disregard for God's commandments and a lack of reverence for His appointed times.

Contrast with the Godly

In contrast, the godly embrace the Feast of the New Moon as an opportunity to draw closer to God and to align their lives with His will. They understand the feast as a gift from God, a time set apart for worship, reflection, and community. The godly recognize the New Moon as a symbol of new beginnings and a chance to renew their commitment to living according to God's statutes.

The Feast of the New Moon, therefore, serves as a dividing line between those who honor God and those who do not. It is a test of faithfulness and a measure of one's devotion to the Creator. Through this observance, the godly demonstrate their allegiance to God, while the ungodly reveal their true priorities.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Amos 8:5
Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Exposition of the Doctrines of Grace
... continually preached the absolute necessity of the new birth by ... shall come forth
"Fair as the moon, clear as ... whether a doctrine is like or disliked, whether it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/exposition of the doctrines of.htm

Moody's Stories
... try to feed them, while the Bible is a feast prepared, into ... The moon borrows light
from the sun, and so we ... to scatter, like a wealthy farmer in New York state ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys stories/moodys stories.htm