Rhythms of Work and Worship

God's People Worship
Worshiping in Jerusalem Again
(Nehemiah)

Festival of Booths

Exodus 23:12-17

The Message

¹² “Work for six days and rest the seventh so your ox and donkey may rest and your servant and migrant workers may have time to get their needed rest.
¹³ “Listen carefully to everything I tell you. Don’t pay attention to other gods—don’t so much as mention their names.

¹⁴ “Three times a year you are to hold a festival for me.

¹⁵ “Hold the spring Festival of Unraised Bread when you eat unraised bread for seven days at the time set for the month of Abib, as I commanded you. That was the month you came out of Egypt. No one should show up before me empty-handed.
¹⁶ “Hold the summer Festival of Harvest when you bring in the firstfruits of all your work in the fields.
“Hold the autumn Festival of Ingathering at the end of the season when you bring in the year’s crops.
¹⁷ “Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Master, God.

For Reflection

Summer is the time for Festivals.  We celebrate in the theater of life all that is good in what we do.  It is right and fitting that we do so.  It is also right and fitting that we remember the source of all creation.  God fashioned us a creative being so that we can reflect His glory.  It is not a worship of that which we create but of the maker that created us.  Save time in the rhythm of your life for remembering God.  

Pray

for the wisdom to punctuate the rhythm of your life in celebration of God's blessings.  Pray you will appear before the Master, God, in joy, confident in your obedience to His will.