The deeper meaning of the word “mo’ed” is important to Christians because it implies the urgency of a marriage betrothal.
On the fourth day of Creation, God established the heavenly lights to mark His “mo’ed.”
Genesis 1:14: “Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons [mo’ed] and for days and years.’”
Then in Leviticus 23 God establishes the timing and description of each of these “mo’ed.”
Leviticus 23:1-2: “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: “The feasts [mo’ed] of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts [mo’ed].”’”
Leviticus 23:4 “These are the feasts [mo’ed] of Jehovah, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times [mo’ed].”
Leviticus 23:44: “So Moses declared to the children of Israel the feasts [mo’ed] of the Lord.”
These “mo’ed” are the Feasts of the Lord God Jehovah. The King of the Universe has invited us to come and meet with Him. How could we possibly reject His invitation? Let’s look at the origin of this word mo’ed to discover its deeper meaning for us.
Strong’s H4150
מוֹעָדָה מֹעֵד מוֹעֵד
mô‛êd mô‛êd mô‛âdâh
Pronounced: mo-ade’, mo-ade’, mo-aw-daw’
From H3259; properly an appointment, that is, a fixed time or season; specifically a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand): – appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn (-ity), synagogue, (set) time (appointed).
The word mo’ed is derived from the primitive root word yâ’ad. This word helps develop the potential of what the word mo’ed means for God.
Strong’s H3259
יָעַד
yâ‛ad
Pronounced: yaw-ad’
A primitive root; to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or position), to engage (for marriage): – agree, (make an) appoint (-ment, a time), assemble (selves), betroth, gather (selves, together), meet (together), set (a time).
This primitive root word yâ’ad implies the importance of God’s Feasts. It suggests that the mo’ed are tied to a marriage proposition or betrothal. It can also mean a court summons as well as a set appointed time or place for meeting.
When seen in this light it adds a new degree of emphasis to the importance of God’s meeting times. He wants to link us together with Him by a betrothal. And His request for our presence is as urgent as a direct court summons by the Judge of all the earth.
How does this compare to the Seal of God in which His people are being called to come to Him in a covenant bond and to be prepared to stand as His bride?
