The Feast of Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.

[ Acts 2:1]

For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

[Acts 20:16]

But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

[I Cor. 16:8]

On Friday, the 6th of Sivan on the Hebrew calendar, Jews will celebrate Hag Ha Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks or the Feast of Pentecost. The Torah - the five books of Moses - details seven feasts during the Hebrew calendar. The first three feasts are in the spring, in the month of Nisan: Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of First Fruits. These feasts are predictive of the First Coming of Jesus. In between the spring and fall feasts, fifty days after the Feast of First Fruits, there is the Feast of Pentecost. This feast, celebrated this week, is associated with the Church. The Birth of the Church appears to be a fulfillment of the Feast of Pentecost. (It is interesting to note that this is the only feast in which leavened bread is ordained.) The last three feasts are in the fall, in the month of Tishri: the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and the Feast of Tabernacles. These are associated with His Second Coming. The timing of the Feast of Pentecost is based on Leviticus 23:16 which points to "the morrow after the seventh sabbath" (fifty days) after the Feast of First Fruits. The Greek word Pentecost means "the fiftieth day." Since the Passover was on the 14th of Nisan, and there were three days to the Red Sea crossing, then 46 days into the wilderness, and three days of Moses' preparation, this is deemed to correspond to the 49 day interval between the Feast of First Fruits (17th of Nisan) and the Feast of Pentecost (6th of Sivan). The Feast of Pentecost is associated with the birth of Israel and the giving of the Law in Exodus 19. Thus, it is also called the Feast of Revelation. Another name for the Feast of Pentecost is Hag Ha Kazir, The Feast of Harvest, since it is celebrated at the time of the "first harvest." A study of the Feast of Pentecost is not complete without a review of the Book of Ruth. The Jewish observance of the Feast of Weeks has always included the reading of this particular book. It is provocative to note the interesting parallels relating to the Church. This elegant love story exemplifies the role of the goel, or kinsman-redeemer. As we examine Boaz's role, we notice that he, in many ways, pre-figures our own kinsman-redeemer, Jesus Christ. Through his act of redemption, Boaz returns Naomi (Israel) to her land, and also takes Ruth (a Gentile) as his wife. This suggests a parallel with the Church as the Gentile bride of the kinsman-redeemer. The Feasts of Israel, set by God, are not only commemorative in a historical context, but are also prophetic.