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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Deuteronomy 16:16-17
Three times a year, all your men must appear before the Lord your God at the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. No man should appear before the Lord empty-handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.
Yesterday we were looking at the way of preserving Society - by passing on our Christian Heritage and Biblical Truths. Here is a continuation of the theme.
Deuteronomy repeats many of the laws and regulations found in Leviticus and Numbers, but also looks at them from additional perspectives, and adds other items and issues not mentioned before. I love the Book because there are many instances where the Lord has brought a significant ‘Rhema’ from the ‘Logos’ to me.
This chapter highlights the 3 main Feasts for the Jews, and yet surprisingly, it does not include the Feast of Atonement.
“The Feast of Unleavened Bread” (Passover) - Remembering their salvation. God’s totally unconditional grace in bringing the people out from bondage, slavery and shame to be released into freedom, joy, peace, unity and fruitfulness.
“The Feast of Weeks” (Pentecost) - Remembering the continual grace and provision of God. It takes place 7 weeks into the Spring Harvest after cutting the standing grain. It is a time to give thanks for all the goodness of God, His faithful provision and to care for the foreigners, widows and orphans. It also celebrates the Giving of the Law.
“The Feast of Tabernacles” to celebrate the autumn grain and grape harvests - again a time to rejoice and provide for the widows, orphans, and foreigners (refugees). Later, it became a time to remember the Supernatural provision of God during their time in the Wilderness.
Interestingly enough, Passover is a time of solemn reflection for 7 days going without the normal luxuries of life, but the other two are extravagant celebration feasts with much rejoicing and exuberant thanksgiving. Both types, however, worship God and honour Him. God is an extravagant God as we see all around us in the sheer vastness in the variety of plant, animal, bird and fish species, not to mention the incalculable expanse of the cosmos.
He is not a stingy God. What a very pale reflection we are, in our selfish, economical and efficient prowess. We have so grossly dishonoured God by our miserly attitude to both money and worship.
How interesting it is that God emphasises here, “No man shall appear before the Lord empty-handed” and yet how often do I do that. I go to Church to get. To receive love, care, acceptance, approbation, encouragement, healing, and forgiveness - whereas God expects me to come to give.
But what have I to give, you ask? “A gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.” In other words - He doesn’t expect you to bring what you can’t bring but what you can. He knows exactly what He has given you and expects you to come with some of that ready, able and willing to give.
Remember next time - He is watching expectantly, to receive something from you.
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