SHAVU’OT

“’Observe the festival of Shavu’ot with the first-gathered produce of the wheat harvest, and the festival of ingathering at the turn of the year.’”
Exodus 34:22

The Festival of Weeks in the New Testament is the time between when Yeshua ascended to heaven and when the Holy Spirit fell in the Upper Room. However, the Festival of Weeks is first named in Exodus 34:22 as the Festival of Shavu’ot, with a command given to celebrate with the first fruits of the wheat harvest. It is actually one of three times on the Jewish calendar when men were required to go before the Lord to celebrate and pay tithes, with the other two celebrations being Pesach and Sukkot. But to gain a little more understanding behind this celebration, I want us to draw our attention back to Exodus 32:28, as we saw earlier. It is here that we read of more than just an agricultural significance to this festival, but rather are able to relate Pesach to a commemorating of the giving of the Law, the Torah, to Moshe.
I remind you that on Pentecost fifteen hundred years earlier, back when the Law was given to Moshe on Mount Sinai, three thousand Hebrews died because of rebellion. On Pesach as seen in Acts 2, three thousand people became the first fruits of new life in the Spirit. The Golden Calf brought with it destruction, but the belief in Adonai and accepting His commands brought life eternal.
This date is also termed as Matan Torah (giving of the Law), for as we read, it is tied to the Ten Commandments received by Moshe and shared with the people. This brings up an interesting relationship that I leave you with today. In the giving of the Commandments, a new covenant was made between Adonai and Isra’el. Adonai marked His people, giving a guideline of what was expected of them if they chose to follow. Years later, following the death and resurrection of Yeshua, a new covenant was made. Again Adonai gave, or rather reestablished His covenant with His people. And where once He gave the Commandments, now years later He was giving His Spirit. This Spirit would become named the Counselor, or Guide. This Spirit, if we allow it to, will guide us in the ways of following the Commands originally given. It is in this thought I celebrate, for I am one who desires to keep Adonai’s commands and many times just needs guidance in doing so.

Exodus 34:10-26