Today I read Deuteronomy 16, reminding the Israelites to observe the Passover, feast of weeks, and feast of tabernacles, and also have fair judges and officers. Today I considered that God wants us to remember the things God has done and continues to do for us.
Three Feasts
God had the Israelites observe three feasts each year at the Lord’s chosen location and reminded them about groves and images (Deuteronomy 16:1-17, and 21-22). The Israelites were to remember the Passover because of being brought out of Egypt. Passover includes eating an animal sacrifice the first night, eating unleavened bread for seven days, and not working on the seventh day. The Israelites were to observe the feast of weeks at the seventh week after they start harvesting the corn. The Israelites also observed the feast of tabernacles for seven days, after they finished the corn harvest. They were not to plant a grove near God’s chosen locations and to not have images that God hated.
Judges and Officers Behavior
The judges and officers appointed by the people were to be fair regardless of who the person was and not take bribes (Deuteronomy 16:18-20). God said being fair helped them continue to live and inherit God’s land.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
The feasts celebrated many things including the freedom God had given them from slavery in Egypt and God continuously providing what they needed like food. Followers of Christ Jesus have also been set free from the bondage of sin to live in grace and are blessed to be provided with everything they need. Some people take time at Thanksgiving or Christmas to thank God for all that the Lord has given them during the year.
How do you go about thanking and celebrating God for what God had provided for you and your family or friends?