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Shavuot

Shavuot. Celebrate the Feast of Weeks. Background. Shavuot (pronounced “sha-voo-OHT”) commemorates the single most important event in Israel’s history: the giving of the Torah (the Law) to Moses at Mount Sinai. . Deuteronomy 4:10–13.

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Shavuot

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  1. Shavuot Celebrate the Feast of Weeks

  2. Background Shavuot (pronounced “sha-voo-OHT”) commemorates the single most important event in Israel’s history: the giving of the Torah (the Law) to Moses at Mount Sinai.

  3. Deuteronomy 4:10–13 “Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when he said to me, ‘Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.’”(v. 10)

  4. Deuteronomy 4:10–13 “You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain while it blazed with fire to the very heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness.” (v. 11)

  5. Deuteronomy 4:10–13 “Then the Lord spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice. He declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets.” (vv. 12-13)

  6. Background Shavuot is celebrated seven weeks after Passover, with the festival commencing on the 50th day. • The word Shavuot is Hebrew for “weeks.” • Shavuot is sometimes referred to as the Feast of Weeks.

  7. Background Shavuot is also known as the Feast of Pentecost. • Pentecost is a Greek word that means “fifty.” • Moses received the Torah fifty days after the Israelites fled Egypt.

  8. Background Shavuot illustrates two important spiritual truths: • The Exodus (physical liberation) was incomplete without an accompanying spiritual redemption. • The ultimate purpose of our freedom and salvation lies in the opportunity we have been given to serve God.

  9. Celebration Scripture connects Shavuot with the harvest of wheat and fruits. It also marked the bringing of the firstfruits to the Temple in thanksgiving to God.

  10. Deuteronomy 16:9–10 “Count off seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain. Then celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the Lord your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the Lord your God has given you.”

  11. Exodus 23:16 “Celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field.”

  12. Celebration In ancient times, sheaves of barley (the winter crop) were brought to the Temple on each of the 50 days between Passover and Shavuot.

  13. Celebration The bringing of the firstfruits on the 50th day was done amidst great pomp and ceremony. The people rejoiced before God and thanked Him for their material blessings.

  14. Exodus 23:19 “Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God.”

  15. Celebration Today, Jews still count the days between Passover and Shavuot to show their devotion to God and love for His Word.

  16. Celebration Many Jews observe Shavuot by staying up the entire night and learning from the Torah.

  17. Celebration At synagogue services on Shavuot morning, the Book of Ruth is read. This is because: • The book takes place during harvest time and coincides with Shavuot. • The story describes how Ruth (a Moabitess) embraced the Torah and joined the ranks of the Jewish people. • As an ancestor of King David, Ruth is tied in lineage to the Messiah.

  18. Christian Celebration The birth of the Christian Church occurred on Pentecost after the death and resurrection of Jesus.

  19. Christian Celebration In the Christian tradition, Pentecost marks the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, empowering Jesus’ followers to spread the Gospel story.

  20. Application Shavuot reminds us of the “principle of firstfruits”: When we present the first of our resources to God, He promises to bless the remainder.

  21. Proverbs 3:9–10 “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

  22. Application Shavuot is also a reminder that followers of God are to strive for spiritual growth (and a spiritual harvest) throughout the year.

  23. Application Shavuot inspires us never to lose faith in God and never to detach ourselves from His Torah. We are never so estranged or distant from God that we cannot repent and return to Him.

  24. Further Reading Other readings tied to Shavuot include: • • Exodus 12–20 (the Israelites' journey from Egypt to Mount Sinai) • Ezekiel 1 (describing a vision of God's glory) • Habakkuk 2:20–3:19 (Israel is urged to persist in her faith despite suffering) Photo Credits: Slide19, iStockPhoto.com/FernandoAH; all other photos from photostogo.com and Wikimedia Commons.

  25. International Fellowship of Christians and Jews 30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2600 Chicago, IL 60602-3356 www.ifcj.org

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