Are all the Feasts of the LORD Sabbaths or Holy Convocations?
The LORD distinctly names His Feasts in Lev. 23.
Le 23:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.
It is well known that NO SERVILE WORK is to be done on any weekly Sabbath or any Sabbath of Holy Convocation, including NO BUYING OR SELLING. However, according to the written word of God, which cannot be broken, it seems that work is allowed on some of these Feasts and Feast Days. So, is God telling us in Lev.23 that all of the “Feasts of the LORD” is to be counted as Sabbaths of Holy Convocations, or is that our interpretation? Lets look at another verse with the same style language…
Isa 1:13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
In Hosea 2:11 it is written:
Ho 2:11 I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.
In Hosea, God makes a definite distinction separating between feasts days, New Moons, Sabbaths and solemn feasts. Feasts are even listed twice as two types; first as feast days and then as Solemn Feasts. Now turning our attention to Lev. 23, God specifically names only the following Feasts (beside the weekly Sabbaths) as Sabbaths of Holy Convocations of no work:
While God was very precise in Lev.23 to call out by name the above as Sabbaths of Holy Convocations, He does NOT specifically call out any of the following as Sabbaths or Holy Convocations in Lev. 23, nor does He anywhere else in the Scripture.
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Passover
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Day 2,3,4,5, & 6 of Unleavened
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Firstfruits
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Day 2,3,4,5,6, & 7, of Tabernacles
One clear indication that all feast days are not Sabbaths or Holy Convocations is the very fact that, according to the Torah, day 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 of Unleavened are not specifically called out as Sabbaths or Holy Convocations. If all feast days should be counted as Sabbaths, why didn’t God name the days two through six as He did one and seven, or just say that the feast of Unleavened is a Sabbath instead of choosing only certain days? It is obvious that He places a distinction on one and seven.
Also there is the matter of Firstfruits. On Firstfruits Israel is commanded to go out into their fields and gather a wave offering to bring to the High Priest. This is not consistent with the commandment to do no work on the Sabbath. If Firstfruits (one of the seven of Unleavened) is to be counted as a Sabbath, how is it that a man is put to death for gathering sticks on a Sabbath but yet commanded to do the work gathering of his crop on a Sabbath? … God is not inconsistent.
Not only do we see work being done on Firstfruits, there is specific account on this day that should be addressed. Mary and others came to the sepulture after the weekly Sabbath was over. This day was the feast of Firstfruits, the first day of the week, which was also day four of Unleavened. The account recorded the Gospel says that the women bought spices! If Firstfruits had been considered a Sabbath or Holy Convocations, it would have been unlawful to buy or sell on this feast day; or for that matter, any day during Unleavened.
Mr 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had BOUGHT sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him
The language concerning Tabernacles is identical with the days of Unleavened; a Sabbath or Holy Convocation is only specified on certain days. The first day of Tabernacles and then the eighth day are called out as Sabbaths or Holy Convocations, indicating a definite distinction separating them from day two through seven. Notice too that Tabernacles a feast of celebration, not a solemn day.
Now we come to Passover. First of all, it is not called out by name as a Sabbath or Holy Convocation in Lev.23 or anywhere else in the Scriptures of Truth. Additionally there are many witnesses indicating the complete opposite, that Passover is not counted as a Sabbath or High Day. Here are just a few listed as follows:
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Gathering of manna was not lawful on the Sabbath; “ And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow AFTER the Passover, unleavened cakes, and parched [corn] in the selfsame day. And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land…" (Joshua 5:11-12)
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A Sabbath or Holy Convocation is for ALL in the house or family to observe and do, except for Passover. Distinguishing this from a Sabbath or Holy Convocation, only those who are circumcised can observe Passover.
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Yeshua told Judas to do what he must do quickly; the disciples thought Yeshua was sending Judas to buy something (John 13:26-30). Since the disciples have been with the Messiah for a minimum of the last 3 Passovers, they would certainly know if the Passover is considered a Sabbath or not, there would be NO BUYING.
John 13:29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, BUY those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
Mark 15:46 And he BOUGHT fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
In summary, it is written that all scripture is profitable for reproof, correction, and instruction. No scripture is in error; if any seem to be contradictory, it is our interpretation that is in error. By the evidence of many more than two or three witnesses presented from the scriptures themselves, it is clear that all feasts are NOT Sabbaths or Holy Convocations. It is by this same evidence that Passover is among those that are not considered a Sabbath.
