The Eighth Day
“Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the LORD for seven days; on the first day there shall be a Sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a Sabbath-rest” (Leviticus 23:36,39).
We should all note carefully that this feast is not simply a feast for the Lord, but it is actually the feast of the Lord, meaning that, it is a feast designated to the Lord to honor Him as the King of kings and Lord of hosts.
So then, what is the rationale, the objective and significance of this eighth day? According to Jewish law and tradition the eight day is figurative to cleansing, dedication and circumcision. This eighth day which follows the Feast of Tabernacles commemorates the circumcision of Jesus Christ as was in the case of John Baptist for it is written: “So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, "No; he shall be called John" (Luke 1:59-60).
And in the case of Jesus we are told that, “And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb” (Luke 2:21).
The day of Jesus` circumcision should be a day to be highly commemorated by all humanity especially gentiles, because before the circumcision of Jesus Christ gentiles were considered as aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, and strangers of the Covenant of promise, who had no hope, and without God in the world.
But now, through the circumcision of Jesus Christ, gentiles have been granted the equal opportunity to become partakers of the everlasting Covenant which God made with Abraham. (Ephesians 2:11-13).
The eighth day is also a day to be highly commemorated and exalted because, it was on that day that God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippian 2:9-11).
The Eighth Day also foreshadows eternity when time shall be no more, and reminding us of God as the Eternal God. This time is figurative to a new beginning when all things are made subject to Jesus Christ, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
Taking into consideration the rationale and objective of the days which the Lord has ordained as times of holy convocation, I beg to ask the question, what is so legalistic, burdensome or difficult in observing these days!
Consider on the other hand the commitment, dedication and passion we exercise in observing our own birthdays, anniversaries, national holidays and customs and traditions of men?
This is why I firmly believed that, the sin of irreverence is the main reason why there are so many conflicts, divisions and confusions in the church because, we are failing to ascribe to the Lord the glory that is due to His name by not observing His Sabbaths, which is a form of disrespect, vain worship and blatant idolatry.
It is of great importance to note however that, to observe or not to observe the Lord`s ordained festivals is a personal choice each individual has to make on his or her own volition depending on his or her own persuasion and will have to give an account of himself/herself to God.
And one should not ignore the fact that, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. Therefore, if we know these things happy are we if we do them.
With brotherly love
Lucius Joseph
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