The Fall Feasts – 3 Things to Remember

I am a Christian, so why should I care about the Old Testament fall feasts? What are the fall biblical feasts, and how were they celebrated? How can learning about these feasts help me grow in my faith?

The fall is a wonderful time to take a closer look at three special feasts God gave to Israel. While Christians are not required to observe these Old Testament feasts, they can teach us much about God's character, His work throughout Scripture, and the promises we have through Jesus.

Join me today for a brief introduction to the three biblical feasts that occur in the fall.

A Calendar Given by God

Before delivering the children of Israel out of Egypt, God gave them a new calendar.

Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.”  Exodus 12:1–2 NKJV

This calendar included special appointed times or feasts. In Leviticus 23, we find God's instructions for these appointed times throughout the year.

For Christians, the word feast can sometimes be confusing. These weren't simply holidays or celebrations. The Hebrew word translated "feast" can refer to an appointed time, a fixed time or season, a festival, or an assembly gathered for a specific purpose.

God appointed these times for His people to remember what He had done and to gather together.

Because the biblical calendar follows a lunar-solar system, the dates of these feasts change each year on our modern calendar.

The Three Fall Biblical Feasts

The three major fall feasts are:

1. The Feast of Trumpets

2. The Day of Atonement

3. The Feast of Tabernacles

Let's take a quick look at each one.

1. The Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah

The Feast of Trumpets is the first of the fall feasts. God instructed the Israelites to observe a special day of rest and remembrance, marked by the blowing of trumpets or the shofar.

You can read about it in Leviticus 23:23–25.

Today, this feast is commonly associated with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year on the civil calendar. Modern Jewish observance begins at sunset and continues through two days. 

This year: September 12-13.

The trumpet gives us a beautiful picture to consider as Christians.

Paul writes:

“For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:52 NKJV

The sound of the trumpet reminds us that Jesus is coming again.

Remember: Be Encouraged

When we look at the Feast of Trumpets, we can remember that God's story isn't finished. One day the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised, and Christ will return.

2. The Day of Atonement

The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, was the most solemn of Israel's appointed days.

On this day, the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the people.

You can read about the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 23:26–32 and Leviticus 16.

Today, Yom Kippur is traditionally observed as a solemn day of fasting, prayer, and repentance.

This year: September 21.

As Christians, the Day of Atonement gives us an opportunity to remember the greater work of Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews explains:

“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come...” Hebrews 9:11 NKJV

Jesus is our High Priest. His sacrifice provides the atonement for our sins, and because of Him, we can come boldly before God.

Remember: Be Thankful

The Day of Atonement reminds us to be thankful for what Jesus accomplished for us.

We don't have to depend on an earthly priest to enter God's presence. Through Jesus, we can come directly to the Father.

3. The Feast of Tabernacles

The final of the three fall feasts is the Feast of Tabernacles, also called the Feast of Booths or Sukkot.

This was a joyful seven-day celebration. The Israelites lived in temporary shelters as they remembered how God cared for them during their journey after leaving Egypt.

It was also connected with the gathering of the harvest.

You can read about the Feast of Tabernacles in Leviticus 23:33–36.

This year: September 25 to October 2.

The Feast of Tabernacles points us toward another wonderful promise.

John writes:

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them...”
Revelation 21:3 NKJV

The word tabernacle means dwelling place. What a beautiful picture of the day when God will dwell with His people forever.

Remember: Look Forward

The Feast of Tabernacles reminds us to look forward to the day when God will once again dwell with His people.

Three Things to Remember

There are many lessons we can learn from studying the biblical feasts. But for Christians, I think these three are especially encouraging:

1. Be Encouraged

One day the trumpet will sound and the dead will rise.

1 Corinthians 15:52

The Feast of Trumpets can remind us of the hope we have in Christ and His promised return.

2. Be Thankful

Jesus is our High Priest and gave Himself as an atonement for our sins.

Hebrews 9:11–12

The Day of Atonement points us toward the perfect sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf.

3. Look Forward

One day God will tabernacle among His people.

Revelation 21:3

The Feast of Tabernacles reminds us that God's ultimate plan is to dwell with His people forever.

Why Study the Fall Feasts?

The biblical feasts are part of God's story throughout Scripture. Studying them helps us slow down and notice connections between the Old and New Testaments.

We can see God's faithfulness to His people, better understand the role of sacrifice and atonement, and recognize pictures that point us toward Jesus and the promises still to come.

You don't have to celebrate the biblical feasts to learn from them.

Instead, use them as an opportunity to open your Bible, learn something new, and remember what God has done—and what He has promised to do.

If you'd like to learn more, our Biblical Feasts and Holy Days study introduces each of the biblical feasts and holy days in a simple, chronological format.

The fall biblical feasts can be a wonderful opportunity for families to review God's work throughout Scripture. This time of year, let them remind you to be encouraged, thankful, and looking forward to the day when Jesus returns and God dwells with His people forever.