Kristin Hill Taylor

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Celebrating & feasting on truth

August 13, 2020 by Kristin 8 Comments

My Bible study group studied the gospel of John for 18 months. There’s a lot of history and truth packed into those 21 chapters. In the Precept study, which is actually three studies, we spent some time talking about the feasts John mentions, their relevance to Jesus, and how that affects our faith. It was super interesting, but I wanted more time with it.

So when I was asked to review a new study called “7 Feasts: Finding Christ in the Sacred Celebrations of the Old Testament” by Erin Davis, I said yes without hesitation. It seemed like the next right thing for me. Plus the timing was ideal because I wasn’t doing another study. Now I’m three weeks in, and I’m thankful this study showed up in my life.

Before the study gets to the feasts, the introductory week spends some time talking about creation and rhythms. I loved this section so much, I texted pictures of it to a friend from my Bible study group. Sabbath is commanded with four of the seven feasts, so Davis writes about how God created and created and created and created and created and created … and then changed the pattern with a day of rest.

“The Seven Feasts and the Sabbath are examples of ways God invites His people to change the pattern – to look up from our work and rest in His work; to stop gazing at ourselves and to gaze at Him instead; to unclench our fists and open our hands for the gifts He has for His children.”

– Erin Davis in “7 Feasts“

In this eight-week study, Davis teaches the significance of these feasts and why God wanted His people to celebrate, how each of them point to Jesus and His work in redemption, and why all of this matters for our lives today. Leviticus 23 is the launching pad for this study, but Davis takes readers throughout the Old and New Testaments as she unpacks each feast. Perhaps now I won’t skim over the mention of feasts in the Bible because I can better see how they all point to Jesus, who is certainly still relevant in my life, even if animal sacrifices aren’t.

“The Israelites were commanded to observe the seven feasts as a practical way to remember who God is. God graciously structured their calendars in a way that combatted their spiritual amnesia,” Davis said in a press release about the study. “Because of Jesus, we no longer live under the letter of the law. We do still live, however, under the spirit of the law. We’re still prone to spiritual amnesia. We still need to rest in God’s redemptive plan. Our hearts still need to be shocked back into praise on a regular basis.”

I’m looking forward to learning about the relevance of a few more feasts now that I’ve spent time studying Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

About the book

After spending the first week setting a foundation by helping readers better understand the rhythms of God, author Erin Davis focuses on the following feasts in subsequent weeks:

  1. Passover: Reminds us of our deliverance from death.
  2. Feast of Unleavened Bread: Reminds us that we still face the dangerous and permeating death of sin.
  3. Feast of Firstfruits: Celebrates that God gives us His very best: Himself. In return, as an act of worship, we give Him our very best.
  4. Feast of Weeks: Reminds us that God never wastes the wait.
  5. Feast of Trumpets: Jesus will fulfill the Feast of Trumpets with His triumphant return.
  6. Day of Atonement: This day showcase’s God’s elaborate grace.
  7. Feast of Booths: Shines the spotlight on God and reminds His children of His character.

“7 Feasts” is a 304-page paperback published by Moody Publishers (June 2, 2020).

About the author

Erin Davis is a writer and teacher passionately committed to getting women of all ages to the deep well of God’s Word. She is the author of many books and Bible studies, including “Connected,” “Beyond Bath Time,” and “7 Feasts.” Erin hosts the Women of the Bible podcast and the Grounded videocast. When she’s not writing, you can find Erin chasing chickens and children on her small farm in the Midwest. Learn more and discover her work at ErinDavis.org.

Giveaway

And there’s a copy for one of you! Just use the Rafflecopter below to enter to win! The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. A winner will randomly be chosen Friday, Aug. 21.

Click here to enter giveaway!

*****

I received a free copy of this study from Moody Publishers in connection with Sidedoor Communications in exchange for a review, but I genuinely love working through this study right now. They’re also providing a copy to the winner of the giveaway. I’m happy to include it in my recommended reads.

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Filed Under: books, review Tagged With: books, faith, review

Comments

  1. Cheryl Green says

    August 19, 2020 at 2:02 pm

    I’ve been wanting to learn more about the feast. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 19, 2020 at 3:29 pm

      It’s really interesting! Thanks for entering the giveaway!

      Reply
  2. Mandy Farmer says

    August 19, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    I’ve been interestedin the feasts for some time now and creating understanding with the women I lead.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 19, 2020 at 3:29 pm

      They’re fascinating! And this is a good study. Thanks for being here.

      Reply
  3. Joanne Viola says

    August 20, 2020 at 8:27 am

    Thank you for sharing about this study. I am on vacation and actually re-reading a book I won several years ago in one of your giveaways 🙂 This is a study I would very much enjoy.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 20, 2020 at 12:03 pm

      Oh that’s fun you’re re-reading a book you won! 🙂 I’m glad to see your pretty face here – it’s been awhile!

      Reply
  4. Sarah says

    August 20, 2020 at 11:06 am

    This study sounds amazing! I’ve never ever studied the feasts, but find it so interesting!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 20, 2020 at 12:06 pm

      This is my first time studying them – and I’m loving it. It pulls together the gospel, history, and rhythms. Thanks for being here!

      Reply

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About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our high school girl who never forgets, our middle school boy who has no fear, and our joy-filled first-grade girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

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