Shavuot Title

The Spiritual Significance of Shavuot

 

Feast

Pentecost

Biblically Accurate or Hebrew Name

Shavuot (pronounced shah-voo-OAT)

 

Biblical Significance

Shavuot comes at the time of the grain harvest. Hence, it is a harvest festival, wherein we offer to God the prepared fruits of our harvests, in the form of 2 loaves of bread made from grains from the harvest (Leviticus 23:15-21). On the first Shavuot, God revealed His glory and gave the Torah to the children of Israel at Mount Sinai in the desert (Exodus chapters 19-20). Thousands of years later, the Holy Spirit fell upon believers gathered together in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, as they waited for the gift that was promised (Acts chapters 1-2).

Spiritual Relevance

Shavuot comes 50 days after Firstfruits. During those 50 days, God’s people prepare for the harvest, spiritually and naturally. Spiritually, it is a time to reflect on oneself and repent before God. Then, on the day of Shavuot, God’s people present ourselves for that which He will give us, so that we may bring a harvest of souls into His Kingdom. In Exodus 19:5-6, God said that Israel would be a kingdom of priests, thereby bringing Gentile nations to Him as their harvest. In Acts 2:41, 3,000 believers from all over the world were added to God’s Kingdom after He poured out the Holy Spirit. In these last days, God wants to remind us of the Torah and give us His ministry of reconciliation to save the land from a curse (Malachi 4:4-6). We are preparing for the end-time harvest of souls, so that we may present them to Yeshua at the time of His imminent return.

Observance Suggestion

During the 49 days that precede Shavuot, we should present ourselves to God daily for reflection and repentance. On Shavuot, a sacred assembly with other believers is required. A sin offering and burnt offerings for deliverance are also required, with their grain and drink offerings (communion). The sin offering is Yeshua (Jesus), as He atones for all sins. We should apply the Blood of Messiah, through prayer, to every sin area in our lives (known and unknown, to include generational curses). Additionally, God asks for 2 loaves of bread that are traditionally bound by a red cord. These represent a harvest of Jews and Gentiles into God’s Kingdom, one in Messiah so that He can dwell in us by His Spirit (Ephesians 2:14-22). Hence, our services on Shavuot should be comprised of thanksgiving to God for all of His provisions, prayers lifted to God for deliverance and for Jews and Gentiles to be one in Messiah. God’s people should also be prepared for God to release an anointing and revelation for reaching His harvest fields. Additionally, this is one of the feasts at which God requires a special offering called the “Shelamim” that demonstrates how much He has blessed us throughout the year (Deut. 16:16). Hence, this special offering should be prepared for prior to and collected on Shavuot.