In Genesis chapter 1:14-15,
“14 God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs to mark seasons, days, and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth;” and it was so.”
Our English word, “seasons”, in most translations of the Bible comes from the Hebrew word “moedim.” Which, in addition to seasons, means “appointed times.” According to Strong’s definitions, it can mean an appointed place, an appointed time, a sacred season, a set feast, and/or an appointed meeting, a festival, also a signal (as appointed beforehand), congregation. The definitions of biblical usage brings to light a lot more than the changing of Fall to Winter, Winter to Spring and so on! When God put the lights in the sky that we all see day and night, He intended them to mark His appointed times with His people! You can do a quick word search for other times that this word “moedim” is used. One of my favorites is Leviticus 23:2 where this word is used twice…
“Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The set feasts of Yahweh, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my set feasts.”
Two things stand out to me, 1) these appointed times belong to Him, 2) He invites His people to gather at His appointed times. God is a God of order and purpose, when He invites us into these times (which there are 8 when you read Leviticus 23) He has something to teach His people about who He is, about who we are, and about His entire plan of redemption from the very beginning throughout eternity. Lest we think that these do not apply or that they are not for us, read Jesus’s words in Matthew 5:17-19 and Paul’s explanation in Ephesians 2, I think you’ll find that the LORD didn’t want us to think this either! Through the blood of Messiah, we have been brought near when we were once far off. Praise His Name forever and ever!