These institutions were appointed and practiced as they became necessary in the development of Old Testament History.

A thorough knowledge of the sacred occasions will aid every Christian to understand the work of the Jewish Church better and enter more fully into the spirit of their worship. It is thought by some that the Jewish laws were difficult to obey, but when they are properly understood it is clearly seen that no nation ever had laws enacted that more carefully considered the moral and spiritual development of the people. These laws allowed time for rest, vacation and worship. The periods of rest that were specified in the Jewish law always had in them that which made them more spiritual and perfect. Days, weeks and even years the Jews had to devote to a higher spiritual training. How many days, weeks and years do we set apart for rest, and if set apart for that, do we use these intervals of time for a higher attainment in holiness? If the Jews could give so much time for spiritual culture, how much ought the Christian to give? It was for this training of a more spiritual life that the following order of intervals for worship was set apart in the Jewish Church:

1. SABBATH (Heb. Shabbath).

1. The Sabbath day was regarded by Israel as a day of rest. God worked six days and rested on the seventh. This example was to be followed by God's people in the Old Testament. We have the first teaching in connection with the giving of the manna. Ex. 16:5. It means that one seventh of our time must be given to the Lord in worship. Ex. 20:8-10.

2. In the New Testament the time for observing this day of worship was changed to the first day of the week. Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2.

2. THE NEW MOON.

1. On the first day of every month special offerings were made as the new moon appeared. Num. 10:10; 28:11-15.

2. The announcement was made by blowing silver trumpets.

3. All the nations that observed a strict lunar calendar found it necessary to have a distinct public announcement of the beginning of each month.

4. In the later periods of Jewish history only a few faithful Israelites who heeded the instruction of the prophets observed the new moon.

3. THE SEVEN ANNUAL NATIONAL EVENTS.

1. The Passover.

(a) This commemorated the birth of the Jewish nation and was typical of Christ's death. Ex. 12:42.

(b) It began on the fifteenth day of the first month of the sacred year and closed at the end of the twenty — first. Ex. 12:18.

(c) The fourteenth day of the first month was the preparation day for the solemn feast; on this day the lamb was killed.

(d) At the beginning of the fifteenth day the lamb was eaten, and during the entire feast of seven days unleavened bread was used. Ex. 12:19-21.

2. The Pentecost.

(1) This commemorated the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai, and was typical of the great Pentecost in giving the Holy Spirit.

(2) The feast was held fifty days after the first sheaf of the harvest was offered.

(3) The following are the three periods of fifty days each:

(a) From the birth of the Jewish nation (first fruit) to the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai.

(b) From the offering of the first sheaf (first fruit) to the harvest meeting where the loaves were offered.

(c) From the resurrection of Jesus Christ (first fruit) to the giving of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

3. The Feast of Trumpets.

(a) It was the New Year's Day of the civil year.

(b) This was held in the beginning of the seventh month of the sacred year, corresponding to our September or October.

(c) Trumpets were blown and more offerings were made than on any other new moon occasion.

4. The Atonement Day.

(a) This was held on the tenth day of the same month as the Feast of Trumpets.

(b) It was the only fast day commanded by the law.

(c) Sacrifices were made to atone for the high priest, the congregation and the tabernacle.

(d) This was the only day of the year that the high priest went into the Most Holy Place.

5. The Feast of Tabernacles.

(a) This was to remind the Israelites of the time when they dwelt in booths in the wilderness. Lev. 23:43.

(b) It was also called "The Feast of Ingathering," mean ing that the entire harvest was gathered and it was a special occasion for thanksgiving.

(c) It began on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, just five days after the Atonement, and continued until the twenty — first. Lev. 23:31.

6. The Feast of Dedication.

(a) The temple was defiled by the Syrians and Judas Maccabæus reconsecrated it in 166 B. C.

(b) It was held each year to commemorate the purifying of the temple and the rebuilding of the altar.

(c) It began on the twenty — fifth of December and continued eight days.

7. The Feast of Purim.

(a) This commemorated Queen Esther's deliverance of the Jewish people. Esther 9:20–32.

(b) It was celebrated on the fourteenth and fifteenth of Adar or March, one month before the Passover.

(c) A fast was held on the thirteenth day, which was the day of delivery.

4. THE SABBATICAL YEAR (Lev. 15:2-7).

1. This began on the tenth day of the seventh month, or Atonement Day.

2. Just as the seventh day was set apart for worship, so every seventh year was set apart for study and worship.

3. The three main reasons for this observance are:

(a) To allow the land to rest. Ex. 23:11; Lev. 25:2-5.

(b) The poor to receive what grows. Ex. 23:11.

(c) Debts are to be suspended (Deut. 15:1-3), except to foreigners.

4. The design of the year was the same as the Sabbath, that is, Christian training and worship.

5. How may we be able to secure such a system of worship that every seventh year may be given to preparation?

5. THE JUBILEE YEAR (Lev. 25:8-55).

1. It was celebrated every fiftieth year.

2. The Sabbatical year came on the forty —ninth year, one year before the great Jubilee.

3. This also began on tenth day of seventh month.

4. The land was not to be tilled this year.

5. The land not in the owner's hands must be returned to him.

6. The servants were set free who desired it.

7. This was typical of the great Jubilee that shall take place at the end of the world.

QUESTIONS.

• What were the sacred occasions?
• How did the Sabbath originate? When was it observed?
• What change in New Testament times?
• When was the New Moon observed?
• How was it announced?
• What were the seven annual national events?
• What did the Passover commemorate?
• Of what is it a type? When did it begin?
• How long did the Feast of Unleavened Bread continue?
• What did the Feast of Pentecost commemorate?
• What did it typify? When was it held?
• What are the three periods of fifty days?
• What did the Feast of Trumpets commemorate?
• When was it held?
• When was the Atonement Day?
• How was it observed?
• What did the high priest do on that day?
• What did the Feast of Tabernacles commemorater?
• Why called the Feast of Ingathering?
• When did it begin?
• How long did it last?
• What did the Feast of Dedication commemorate?
• When was it held?
• What did the Feast of Purim commemorate?
• When was it held?
• What was the Sabbatical Year?
• What three reasons for its observance?
• What was the Jubilee Year?