“Holy days” are special days appointed by God for the children of Israel to observe. They are unlike the holidays of the world, because the observance of these “holy days” has a special and spiritual significance. In Exodus 23:10-19, a list of special days, namely the Sabbath (vv10-13) and three feasts (vv14-19) were appointed by God for the children of Israel to observe and keep. There are three main thoughts from these God-appointed days.

1. Days of faith and rest (Exod 23:10-12)

The Sabbaths are days of rest given by God for believers to exercise their faith in Him. The observance of the Sabbath sets the children of God apart from the world, as they rest on the Sabbath. It is a time for believers to restore and refresh their souls by communing with God and worshipping Him. The significance of keeping the Sabbath is that believers put their faith and trust in God to provide for them.

2. Days for remembrance (Exod 23:13-17)

Feast days are given by God to help the children of Israel remember His faithfulness and goodness. The following three feasts are mentioned.

(a) The feast of unleavened bread (v15): Leaven in bread is used as an illustration of the spread of sin. Thus, unleavened bread signifies the believer’s life of purity by his removal of sins from his life. We must constantly remember to keep ourselves pure and holy as we grow and mature in the Lord.

(b) The feast of harvest (v16a): This feast is observed at the end of the harvest to remind the children of Israel that all that they have gathered are from God, and they are to be grateful for His provision. For us, every accomplishment in our lives occurs because of God and we must always give Him the praise and glory.

(c) The feast of ingathering (v16b): This feast reminds the children of Israel of how God protected, and provided for, them during their forty-year-wilderness wandering. (Note: This was a prophetic feast when God gave it in Exodus 23, because they had then not arrived in the Promised Land yet.) For us, it reminds us that our ultimate home is in heaven, not here on earth.

3. Days for thanksgiving (Exod 23:18-19)

The Passover feast is a reminder to the children of Israel of God’s mercy when He spared their lives in Egypt. Thus, they are to express their sincere gratitude by happily offering their firstfruits of the land to God. Not to “seethe a kid in his mother’s milk” (v19) is a warning not to pervert or abuse God’s blessings. We too must have a sincere, grateful heart towards God for His grace and mercy, and be joyful to offer our best to Him.