Justin Houtz

Leviticus 23, Acts 24

DateVersionReading Plan
April 23, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Leviticus 23

Observation

The LORD told Moses to give instruction to the people regarding the appointed feasts. There was the Sabbath held on the seventh day, the LORD’s Passover, the Feast of Firstfruits, the Feast of Weeks (Harvest, Pentecost), the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur( and the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles, Ingathering, Sukkot). For most, there is explicit directive given that the people were to hold a holy convocation and do no ordinary work. Regarding the feasts described in this this chapter, the CSB Notes states, “God set aside a sacred period that included festivals and holy days to give the covenant community rest from everyday life. These special days would also help them remember his acts of creation, deliverance, protection, and provision.”

Application

It was a work of God’s grace to appoint these days and feasts as a means of commemorating and celebrating who He is and all that He has done. The LORD knows how fickle we are and thus provided a structured calendar by which His people could pause, reflect and rejoice in His goodness. Moreover, the feasts symbolized the degree of God’s provision as plentiful and abundant. While we no longer adhere to these days and feasts, we should be diligent in regular remembrance of God’s majesty and sustenance, ever refreshed in the knowledge that He is the One from whom all blessings flow.

Acts 24

Observation

Tertullus, a spokesman chosen by the Sanhedrin, presented their case against Paul to Felix. They accused Paul of sedition and for being a plague, a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even trying to profane the temple (Acts 24:6). After the accusation, the governor nodded for Paul to speak and Paul presented his defense. He gave reason for his actions and confessed to the governor that he worshiped the God of their fathers, believing everything that was laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope that there will be a resurrection of the just and unjust (Acts 24:15). Paul expressed that the charge regarding was unfounded and that he “was alone at the time, and had been purified from ceremonial defilement.” (BBC) Paul stated that the “accusing Jews from Asia who caused the riot against him in Jerusalem ought to have come to Caesarea to accuse him.” (BBC)

Felix said that he would decide Paul’s case when Lysias the tribune came down and ordered Paul to be kept in custody. Paul was given some liberty that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs (Acts 25:23). “Some days after the public trial, Felix and his wife Drusilla arranged a private interview with the apostle in order that they might hear more concerning the Christian faith. With consummate fearlessness, Paul reasoned with this profligate governor and his adulterous wife about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.” (BBC).

Over the next two years, the governor called on Paul repeatedly, but his motive for doing so was impure, hoping that “some of Paul’s friends would pay him a handsome bribe in order to have him released.” (BBC). After the two years had elapsed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix and Felix left Paul in prison out of a desire to do the Jews a favor (Acts 24:27).

Application

The false accusations levied against Paul by Tertullus of the Sanhedrin is one of many examples in Scripture where we see the truths of gospel abrade with the prideful proclivities of sinful man. Paul was a believer in the one, true God and was actively spreading the news that Christ was the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. But rather than receiving this as the good news it is, the Jews seized Paul found him to be a plague.

Of the many things to draw from this, one must be that even with benevolent intentions to encourage repentance and faith in Christ, believers will encounter hostility for heralding this glorious message. It should not be strange to us when we are met with retaliation.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are supreme in all wisdom and grace to provide for your children. How wonderful it is to be oft reminded of Your splendor and righteousness. Father, by Your Spirit, empower and embolden Your children to endure the hardships that come with being Your ambassadors. Help us to persevere in faithfulness in the calling to which we have been called.

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