Festivals in the Promised Land

Deuteronomy Chapter 16

In honor of the Lord, said Moses to the Israelites, always celebrate the Passover at the proper time in spring, for that was when the Lord brought you out of Egypt by night. Your sacrifice may be from either a flock or herd and must take place at the place God chooses for his name to be honored. Eat bread with no yeast for seven days as you did when you escaped from Egypt. Eat the bread- the bread of suffering-so you will remember the trip from Egypt as long as you live. No yeast should be in your houses for seven days and do not let any meat from Passover lamb remain till morning.

The Passover must not be eaten in towns the Lord is giving you. It is only offered in the Place the Lord chooses. Roast the lamb and eat it in this place the Lord chooses, then go back to your tents the next morning. For six days, you may eat bread with no yeast and on the seventh day, assemble before the Lord and no work may be done on that day.

The Festival of Harvest takes place seven weeks from the beginning of your grain harvest. You must honor the Lord and bring him a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings you have received from him. It is a time to celebrate before the Lord at the place he chooses. Celebrate with your whole family, servants, Levites from your towns, foreigners, orphans, and widows. Remember you were once slaves in Egypt, so be careful to obey all the laws.

The Festival of Shelters must be observed for seven days at the end of the harvest season, after all the grain has been threshed and the grapes pressed. This festival should be a happy time to rejoice with your family, servants, Levites, foreigners, orphans and widows. Celebrate for seven days to honor the Lord at the place he chooses, for it is he who gives you the bountiful harvest and blesses all your works.

Each year every man in Israel must celebrate these three festivals. They must appear before the Lord their God at the place he chooses and they must bring gifts to the Lord. All must give, as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord.

Use these laws to rule the nation: Appoint judges and officials for each tribe in all towns. Never twist justice or show partiality. Don't accept bribes for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of the godly. Let true justice prevail, so you may live and occupy the land that the Lord is giving you. And NEVER set up an Asherah pole beside the altar of the Lord. Or Never set up sacred pillars of worship for the Lord hates them.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW that God did not expect the participants at the festivals to give more than they were able. But instead to give cheerfully even if it was a proportionate amount. In appointing good judges and officials, there may be trouble ahead for the Israelites finding spiritual leaders who could lead with wisdom.

How does this chapter relate to us today? It points up the series of festivals which involve joyous celebration and family, which includes orphans and widows etc. In our world, we have joyous celebrations too, but often ours consists of feasting without concern for others in our community who do not have so much as we do. We must change this attitude and learn to share and worship with others.
This chapter also talks of the importance of choosing wise and just leaders. In our world, we often elect or appoint leaders who do not have a spiritual connection and who do not seek God for wisdom. We must change this and make it part of our responsibility too.

Yours in Christ,
Mary