For information on the autumn festivals, we turn principally to the Book of Leviticus. In the Hebrew scriptures, it is called “Vayikra”; taken from the opening words of the book meaning “Adonai called”. This third book of Moses is also known as “Torat Kohanim” – instructions to the priests. Its English title obviously is taken from the name of the tribe of Levi (the priestly tribe).
The Book of Leviticus contains more words spoken by Adonai than any other book in the Hebrew scriptures. Twenty of the twenty-seven chapters of Leviticus and some thirty-five other paragraphs, begin with, “And the Lord spoke to Moses …” or some similar expression.
It is believed that the Book of Leviticus was revealed to Moses during the fifty-day period after the Tabernacle was set up (Exodus 40: 17) and before Israel left Sinai (Numbers 10: 11).
Let’s consider the historical context.
It was in the 14th century BC that Adonai delivered Israel from 400 years of slavery in Egypt. Undoubtedly, whilst in captivity Israel would have been influenced by their masters. The people of Israel tended to hold on to polytheism and pagan ritual in the desert as evidenced by the Golden Calf incident (Exodus 32). Prior to the events in Sinai (the Commandments and the Mosaic Law), Israel only had the historic records of the patriarchs from which to gain knowledge on how to live before Adonai.
The Book of Exodus ends with the setting-up of the Tabernacle. The next step was for the priests to receive instructions on how to carry out the sacrifices and other rituals.
So, in the Book of Leviticus we see Adonai give instructions for His people. This group of bedraggled refugee slaves were Adonai’s covenant people. His aim was to transform them into His people who could approach Him through sacrifices and honour Him by holy living. Ritual and moral purity would be required.
Therefore, every regulation and festival in the Book of Leviticus is a revelation from Adonai through Moses for His people. With the Laws etc. Adonai personally instructed His people on how to live before Him in the land He had prepared for them.
In the Book of Exodus, we see Israel delivered from Egypt and set apart as Adonai’s special possession. In Leviticus, we see how they are to be separated from sin and uncleanness in order to approach Adonai. Holiness becomes the rule of the camp. But this presents a problem. Mankind is by nature sinful and practice unholiness. The solution was blood atonement (Leviticus 17: 11).
Leviticus, of course, addresses many of the required activities for Adonai’s priest. But its regulations are intended for the entire community. This was to ensure that the people would know and value their privileges and responsibilities before Adonai and that the priests could not gain oppressive power by any monopoly of knowledge on how to approach Adonai. Much of the work of the Levites concerned caring for the physical structure and grounds of the Tabernacle (and, of course, later the Temple).
In Leviticus we see Adonai’s laws for holy living, the offerings, the responsibilities of the priesthood, the food laws and rituals concerning childbirth, disease, sexual morality, and ceremonial laws. And, of course, we have the autumn festivals. Together these all make up Adonai’s plan to assist the people to avoid sin and remain faithful to the covenants.
Avoidance of and atonement for sin are central to the regulations contained in the Book of Leviticus.