Pentecost and the Whole House of Israel • What is Shavuot? | Shavuot and Jesus | The Lost Tribes

Pentecost and the Whole House of Israel • What is Shavuot? | Shavuot and Jesus | The Lost Tribes

This Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, delivered by Matthew Vander Els, explores the deep connections between the Jewish festival of Shavuot and the Christian celebration of Pentecost. It delves into the historical context of Shavuot, its prophetic significance in the Old Testament, and its ultimate fulfillment in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2.

The Jewish Roots of Pentecost: Shavuot

The teaching begins by establishing that Pentecost, which occurred 50 days after Passover, is the Greek name for the Hebrew festival of Shavuot, meaning "weeks." Shavuot was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals in the Jewish religious calendar, alongside Passover and Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles). During these festivals, the Israelites were commanded to travel to Jerusalem and bring first fruit offerings to the Lord as a sign of gratitude for the harvest.

Deuteronomy chapter 16 describes these three pilgrimage festivals, highlighting that Shavuot took place in the summer and involved offering the first fruits of the wheat harvest. This festival was observed 50 days after the offering of the first barley harvest during Passover week, hence the name Pentecost, derived from the Greek word for fifty. The speaker emphasizes the significance of this offering, explaining that in an agrarian society, the harvest was essential for life, and a successful harvest was seen as a direct blessing from God. Bringing the first fruits was an act of thanksgiving for God's faithfulness in providing rain and sustenance. This practice is presented as the root of the modern tradition of tithing, where a portion of one's provision is given back as an expression of gratitude.

The celebration of Shavuot was a time of joy, dancing, and a sense of divine peace. Families would create beautiful baskets to carry their offerings to the temple in Jerusalem, highlighting the importance and celebratory nature of the event. The speaker suggests that modern society might have a harder time fully grasping the profound gratitude associated with these harvest festivals, given our less direct connection to agricultural cycles.

Prophetic Promises and the Kingdom of Israel

The teaching then shifts to the Old Testament prophecies concerning the future of Israel. After the reign of King Solomon, the unified kingdom of Israel split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Both nations fell into idolatry and disobedience, leading to their eventual exile by the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. During this period of exile, prophets like Hosea, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Malachi arose, carrying messages of repentance and future hope.

The prophecies spoke of a time when God would regather the scattered Israelites and restore the kingdom under a shepherd king from the lineage of David. Ezekiel chapter 34 depicts God as the ultimate shepherd who would rectify the failures of the earthly kings and care for his people. Verse 23 of Ezekiel 34 specifically mentions that David would be the shepherd, raising the question of whether this refers to the historical David or a future descendant with divine authority. The speaker clarifies that the prophets often united human royalty with divine control, indicating a future king from David's line who would rule with God's authority.

Ezekiel chapter 37, with the vision of the valley of dry bones, further emphasizes the promise of restoration and resurrection for the defeated and scattered people of Israel. Verse 24 of Ezekiel 37 reiterates that a descendant of David would be king over them, uniting them under one shepherd and establishing an everlasting covenant of peace. These prophecies instilled hope in the exiled Judeans for a future return to their land, the rebuilding of the temple, and the reestablishment of their kingdom under a righteous king.

The Disciples' Question and the Arrival of Pentecost

Even after the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus (Yeshua), the expectation of a restored kingdom of Israel remained strong among his followers. As recorded in Acts chapter 1, the disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom of Israel?" This question reveals their continued focus on the prophetic promises of national restoration. Jesus responded that it was not for them to know the timing but redirected their attention to the coming of the Holy Spirit, through whom they would receive power to be his witnesses throughout the world.

Acts chapter 2 recounts the events of Pentecost, which occurred while the disciples were gathered in Jerusalem. Significantly, this coincided with the Jewish festival of Shavuot, a time when devout Jews from "every nation under heaven" would have been in Jerusalem for the pilgrimage. Instead of the people bringing offerings to God, God poured out his Holy Spirit upon the believers. This was manifested by the miraculous ability of the disciples to speak in other languages, allowing the diverse crowd to hear the wonders of God declared in their own native tongues.

Pentecost: Fulfillment and New Creation

The speaker highlights Luke's deliberate emphasis on the diverse national origins of the people present in Jerusalem, listing 15 different regions. This emphasis mirrors Old Testament prophecies, such as Isaiah 11, which foretold the regathering of Israel from the nations to which they had been scattered. The miracle of speaking in tongues served as a powerful sign, connecting the scattered Judeans in a new and profound way.

Peter's sermon in Acts chapter 2 explains the meaning of these events. He declares that Jesus is the promised shepherd king, risen from the dead and exalted to the right hand of God, reigning even now. Peter argues that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the gathering of people from all nations signify the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the new covenant, the ingathering of exiles, and the reign of the Davidic king. He proclaims that Jesus is the one who brings this reconstitution of Israel, not as a political entity but as a spiritual body. The new temple being raised up is not a physical building but a growing community of believers indwelt by God's Spirit, destined to expand throughout the world.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Cultivate Gratitude: Reflect on God's provision in your life, both material and spiritual, and express gratitude like the Israelites bringing their first fruits.
• Embrace Diversity: Recognize and value the diversity within the body of Christ and in the wider world, understanding that the Holy Spirit works across cultures and languages.
• Seek the Holy Spirit: Acknowledge the Holy Spirit as a gift that brings life, power, and guidance, drawing you closer to Jesus.
• Be an Ambassador of Life: Allow the Holy Spirit to work through you to bring forth spiritual life, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit in your interactions with others.
• Participate in the Kingdom: Recognize that the kingdom of God is a growing reality that you are invited to be a part of.
• Repent and Be Transformed: Respond to the work of the Holy Spirit by turning away from sin and embracing the forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ.
• Find Unity in Christ: Despite differences, strive for unity with fellow believers through the common bond of the Holy Spirit.
• Offer Hope in Chaotic Times: Trust that the Holy Spirit can bring order and life to the chaotic areas of your life.
• Use Your Abilities for Good: Use your abilities, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to benefit others and further God's kingdom.
• Be a Witness: Share the message of hope, grace, forgiveness, and mercy that is found in Jesus Christ.

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