What Are God's Feast Days? Understanding the Appointed Times from Creation
- Grandma Patches
- Nov 23, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Jan 11
In autumn, God's (YHVH's) Feast Days—His appointed times—come to an end with the final celebration in Leviticus 23: the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). As we harvest pumpkins in the US, we feel the air cool, and watch the northern hemisphere settle into its winter rest, Creation begins to slow, and we often slow with it. In Israel, this season marks the great ingathering—the final harvest of all the fruits, olives, grapes, pomegranates, dates, and figs of the land.
Spiritually, this season invites us into reflection. When we believe in God (Yehovah), we begin to see that this rhythm is intentional. He designed the cycles of life and the observance of times and seasons in Genesis 1:14, declaring ‘the end from the beginning’ (Isaiah 46:9–10).
This understanding becomes the foundation for recognizing God’s appointed times. His Feast Days are rhythms that guide us in holiness—being set apart—and help us know our Creator and understand His plans and purposes.
Creation and God's Feast Days Revealed
The first three days of Creation (Days 1, 2, and 3) establish the structure—the spaces—that the next three days (Days 4, 5, and 6) will fill with life and purpose. As we look more closely at the days of Creation, we begin to see that the physical world points to something greater than itself.
Day One: Light and Separation
In Genesis 1, God speaks forth light and separates it from the darkness, establishing the pattern of evening and morning as a full day. This introduces the concept of time even before the sun, moon, and stars are created. We also see greater clarity about the identity of this light through John 1:1–4, which reveals that the Light present from the beginning is Jesus—Yeshua. Day One sets everything into motion and prepares the way for the other lights that will appear on Day 4.
Day Two: The Separation of Waters
God separates the waters above from the waters below, creating the expanse (the sky or atmosphere). Interestingly, Day Two is the only day of Creation where God does not say “it was good.” Many Bible teachers see a possible connection to Ephesians 2:1–2, which describes Satan as “the prince of the power of the air.” While Scripture doesn’t give a direct reason, the absence of the phrase is unique and worth noting.
Day Three: Land and Life Appear
God gathers the waters so that dry land appears, and He brings forth vegetation. This forms the earth’s surface and its food supply. On this day, life emerges without the death of a seed—something that later becomes a picture of the Messiah (John 12:24). This life also appears before the sun, moon, and stars are created, showing that the Author of life is God Himself—not the lights He later made. The appearing of dry land prepares the earth for what God will create on Day Six.
It becomes clear that the first three days establish the environment that Days Four, Five, and Six will fill and complete. Days 1–3 form the foundation; Days 4–6 bring fullness and purpose to what God prepared. Now, let’s look at what happens on Day Four.
Day Four: Lights with Purpose
This day is similar to Day 1, as God creates light, but now the physical sun, moon, and stars come into being. Day 4 holds the keys to their purpose, pointing back to the light of Day 1 and revealing the eternal plans woven into God’s Feast Days, which show His divine purposes for creation and humanity
Day Five: Life in the Seas and Skies
This day fills what God formed on Day Two—fish in the waters and birds in the skies. The sea creatures swim in depths far beyond human reach, and the birds rise to heights we cannot attain without help. Yet both move in and out of the world where we were created to live, quietly teaching us about our Creator if we are willing to learn. (Job 12:7–10)
Day Six: Land Animals and Humanity
On this day, God creates the land animals and creeping things, along with humanity, to fill what was formed on Day Three when the land and vegetation appeared. It is striking that man is shaped from the very dust the waters parted to reveal—much like the birth of new life. From that molded clay, God breathes into his nostrils the breath of life, and man becomes a living soul, bearing the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27). And yet, Day Six still stands one step short of completion, pointing us toward the rest and fulfillment that arrive on the next day.
Day Seven: The Sabbath Rest
On this day, the Creator completes all His work, and He declares it “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Day Seven becomes the pattern for all of God’s appointed times outlined in Leviticus 23. Here we begin to understand the depth of His rest—His Sabbath—and His holy days set within His seasons. It is the rhythm God invites us into, a rest that reflects His heart and His holiness (Hebrews 4:10).
Day Four: God's Lights and Appointed Times
So much can be said about each day of Creation that one could write an entire book on Day One, Day Two, or Day Three alone. Each day holds incredible depth and richness in God’s design. In this section, we will focus on Day Four and its connection to Day One. In Genesis 1:14, God declares, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, seasons, days, and years.
Exploring the Hebrew behind these words reveals deeper meanings for these “lights” in the sky and the purpose God built into them from the very beginning.
The word "signs" in Hebrew is oth meaning a signal (literally or figuratively) as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc:-mark, miracle (en-) sign, token.
The word for "seasons" in Hebrew is mo-ade meaning an appointment, i.e a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year.
The word for "days" in Hebrew is yome from an unused root meaning "to be hot." It refers to a day as the warm hours, whether literally from sunrise to sunset or from one sunset to the next—a space of time defined by an associated term.
The word for "years" in Hebrew is shanaw meaning a year, as a revolution of time.
With these definitions in mind, we begin to see the Creator’s plan as He lays out, in perfect order, what He wants to accomplish on the earth. He establishes the guiding principles of the universe to tell His story—His story of love and redemption from the very beginning.
We see that God has oth—signs and signals—throughout history. For example, the sun stood still so the Israelites could win a battle (Joshua 10:12–14), and the sundial went back ten degrees to show Hezekiah that God heard him (2 Kings 20:9–11). The star appeared in the heavens at the birth of Jesus/Yeshua (Matthew 2:1–2), and darkness covered the land at His death (Matthew 27:45). These lights in the sky may also point to future events, when the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall before Jesus/Yeshua’s return (Matthew 24:29–30). God uses these heavenly signs to communicate miraculous events, calling His followers to take notice and understand His plan.
The Creator of the Universe has given us mo-ade—appointed times—the feasts of Yehovah, revealed through the lights in heaven that were set from the very beginning and carry prophetic meaning (Leviticus 23). These festivals and holy days occur each year in their designated months to help His people remember and not grow weary. Each appointed time holds deep spiritual significance and continues to unfold. These mo-ade connect us to the past, illuminate the present, and point toward the future for those with ears to hear.
God has also given us yome—the 24-hour cycle of day and night—which reflects His plan of redemption. Each day begins in darkness, representing our lost state, and progresses into light, symbolizing the understanding of our salvation through the Messiah (Isaiah 9:2). This daily rhythm reminds us of God’s unfolding plan and His guidance for His people.
Finally, there is the word shanaw, meaning a year. Each of these blessed cycles—daily (yome), appointed times (mo-ade), and yearly (shanaw)—draw us closer to redemption and the return of Jesus/Yeshua. God set up these cycles on Day Four of Creation to guide us and reveal His plan for humanity.
Tying It All Together: God’s Day Four Lights and Appointed Times
God’s appointed times, which date back to the beginning of Creation, invite us to the practice of “remembering.” In Genesis 1:14, God tells us that the sun, moon, and stars were given so we can recognize the signs (oth), the seasons (mo-ade—appointed times and festivals), each day (yome), and every year (shanaw), as they repeat continually. These cycles give us faith to face the future while remembering the good works of our Creator from the past.
God had a plan from the very beginning of Creation. On Day One, He revealed that the “light” (salvation) was meant to divide and separate from darkness. The evening and morning have existed each day (yome) since Creation, and even today, more is yet to be revealed on the great day (yome) of the LORD (Malachi 4:5).
The lights placed in the heavens were designed for us to recognize miracles, festivals, and prophetic signs in each day and year. God gives these messages to His people throughout the months to help us remember and not grow weary (Galatians 6:9). These festivals and holy days hold deep spiritual meaning that continues to unfold, reminding us that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
God’s appointed times reveal His full plan of salvation: the past, with events already fulfilled in history; the present, showing how God sanctifies His people today; and the future, with prophecies yet to be fulfilled—all rooted in Creation.
Why the Enemy Seeks to Alter the Feasts and Appointed Times of God
As we understand that Jesus/Yeshua did not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them—and that not one jot or tittle will pass from the Law until all is fulfilled (Matthew 5:17–18)—we see why claiming that the holy days “have been done away with” is so dangerous. God’s appointed times hold the keys to understanding the past, the present, and the future, and they provide wisdom for His people (Deuteronomy 4:6).
Daniel 7:25 warns that the enemy will attempt to “change times and laws.” Since God’s appointed times reveal His entire Kingdom plan, any distortion clouds understanding. Yet God’s design endures—every day, every season, and every feast proclaims His truth, Jesus/Yeshua (John 5:39).
God’s Appointed Times: From Creation to Redemption and Family Learning
From the first day of Creation to the appointed times in Leviticus 23, to the time of Jesus/Yeshua’s resurrection, and all the way to the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven in Revelation, God has woven His redemptive plan into the very structure of time. Understanding God’s appointed times helps us see the eternal truth in Creation, His spiritual purpose within His feasts, and the future hope promised to His people. These appointments are not relics; they are living reminders of God’s eternal plan. 1 Timothy 3:16-17
If you have children ages 2–6 and want to start teaching them in a fun and engaging way about God’s Feast Days, explore Big HOORAYS - God's Creation Days This book encourages your child to go through each day of Creation, giving God a big HOORAY for all He made, while also learning about the 7th day of rest.
Also, subscribe to our HIStory Newsletter to receive updates on our upcoming HIStory book series, which will introduce your little ones to the Feast Days and offer ideas for creating meaningful family traditions.
Members of our free site can access downloadable activity sheets and resources designed for children ages 2–6 to help them engage with God’s appointed times in a hands-on and fun way.
Grandma Patches has been passionate about her faith since becoming a believer at 17. She lives with her husband and family and loves sharing the insights the Father has revealed to her, encouraging the next generation of believers. She trusts the entire Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, and believes all of it “is very good.”
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