Thursday, April 26, 2012

Should Christians Celebrate The Day of Atonement?

Today's Reading:
  • Leviticus 22:17 - 23:44
  • Proverbs 10:19
Read Bible Passages Online

Leviticus 22:17 - 23:44

These chapters in Leviticus deal with holy holidays.  I was immediately interested in The Day of Atonement, otherwise known as the Jewish holiday Yom Kipper.  The Lord says that we must deny ourselves that day (by fasting, I presume) and that no work shall be done.  The Lord even says that all people who do not deny themselves that day will be cut off from God's people, and that He will destroy anyone who does work that day.  The Lord then concludes by saying this is a permanent law to be followed generation after generation.

So of course I have to wonder, does this count for Christians?  From all the holy days that the Lord has so far said to observe, this one comes with the most stern warnings -- to be cut off from God's people, and to be destroyed if one performs work that day.

I did some research and Yom Kipper is the most holy of Jewish holidays.  I did find that many Christians observe this day also.  In 2012, The Day of Atonement starts at sunset on September 25th and ends at sunset on September 26th.  I guess I have until then to see what all I can find out about this day -- should it be observed by me, how should it be observed by me (what all does "deny yourself" mean) and so on.

From what I have read so far, I feel like if there is any Old Testament holy day I should observe that it should certainly be this one.  I really do want to learn more about it, and would appreciate any comments on why or why not a Christian should observe this day, and what all is including in denying one's self.

Proverbs 10:19
Too much talk leads to sin.  Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
I see over and over again in the bible how the words that come out of our mouths defile us.  Most of us (including myself, of course) could probably do good getting some practice on learning when to shut our mouths!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

great info on God's appointed times
http://www.therefinersfire.org/jewish_holidays.htm

enjoy

Anonymous said...

My interest in Yom Kippur is due in part to the Inca calendar (one of them at least) coming to an abrupt end in December of this year.
More than this I find it interesting that several feast and or holy days align loosely with some American "holidays "(sukkut to thaksgiving ).
As far as keeping the holy days : I too am not sure as to God's will for me. I can tell you that I have prayed about it and will continue to study about it. I believe God does want me to afflict my soul on a daily basis so that I may lean more and more on him. I know that within me dweleth no good thing. l know that by beholding Jesus I become changed (into His likeness ), because His word tells me so.
Thank you for your blog and listening to me
Flynn

Author said...

Thank you for your comments! I still have not decided if this is for me yet; Hopefully I will come to that decision before the next one rolls around.