I think you are wrongly reading this as they wished to go BACK to their old pagan habits. They wished to be circumcised. There were certain people who wanted the Gentiles to live like Jews (v 2:14). Instead of following Gentile pagan customs, certain Jews wanted the Gentiles to follow the Jewish customs. Paul states that they will be enslaved all over again.
Circumcision, eating or following dates are of no avail. They are all legalistic trappings to make one think they are doing a righteous act. Following traditional Jewish holidays was a documented problem in the early church and one that Paul venomously fought against. Please consider this:
I will also add the argument sounds enticing. What could be so wrong with having a Passover or forgoing certain foods? Were doing it for the Lord. Man gets himself into trouble every time when he gets into this way of thinking. It falls under the Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in you name
category.
Thanks again Harley. Sorry for taking so long to get back.
My Bible translates it, "how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles." Same thing, in essence! My question is......how could they turn back to something they had never known?
No where in this passage does he mention Sabbaths and I cannot find anywhere in scripture where God commanded us to observe any month. He does instruct us in Colossians to not pay any mind to those critical of our festivals, New Moons or Sabbaths. Col. 2:16