The first pair of brothers found in Scripture are Cain and Abel (perhaps more correctly Qayin and Hevel). Their story has many lessons for us, but as we consider the time of Yom Kippur, the brothers connection to the two goats of this appointed time are of particular interest.
more “Yom Kippur Brothers”
I believe that YHWH’s moedim (appointed times) began with time itself. Perhaps the specific dates were unknown to the people of ancient times, but YHWH always knew them and has more than possibly worked in sync with these special times. Jewish tradition states, for example, that Adam and Eve were created on [what we know as] Yom Teruah. Personally, I wonder if their banishment from the garden occurred on Yom Kippur?
Later on in Genesis, we see some dramatic events in the life of Lot that correlate with the appointed time of Passover. Whether you believe the events took place on the actual moed of Passover or not, I think there’s some lessons to be gleaned from the links we find.
more “Lot’s Passover”
In the form of a serpent, Satan said to Eve, “Yea, has God said you shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”. Simple words, simple question, simple answer.
more “First Words of Satan”
There were six cities throughout the land of Israel that were designated in the Torah as places of refuge. What was their purpose – and are we in need of a “City of Refuge” today?
more “Exile in the City of Refuge”
Although I’ve left it until last, the very first of the Moedim is mentioned in verse three of Leviticus 23:
“Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of YHWH in all your dwellings.”
more “The Sabbath שבת Shabbat”