Witness to God's Deliverance

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

Festival of Booths

Leviticus 23:33-44

The Message

^33-36 God said to Moses: “Tell the People of Israel, God’s Feast of Booths begins on the fifteenth day of the seventh month. It lasts seven days. The first day is a sacred assembly; don’t do any ordinary work. Offer Fire-Gifts to God for seven days. On the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and offer a gift to God. It is a solemn convocation. Don’t do any ordinary work.

^37-38 “These are the appointed feasts of God which you will decree as sacred assemblies for presenting Fire-Gifts to God: the Whole-Burnt-Offerings, Grain-Offerings, sacrifices, and Drink-Offerings assigned to each day. These are in addition to offerings for God’s Sabbaths and also in addition to other gifts connected with whatever you have vowed and all the Freewill-Offerings you give to God.
^39-43 “So, summing up: On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have brought your crops in from your fields, celebrate the Feast of God for seven days. The first day is a complete rest and the eighth day is a complete rest. On the first day, pick the best fruit from the best trees; take fronds of palm trees and branches of leafy trees and from willows by the brook and celebrate in the presence of your God for seven days—yes, for seven full days celebrate it as a festival to God. Every year from now on, celebrate it in the seventh month. Live in booths for seven days—every son and daughter of Israel is to move into booths so that your descendants will know that I made the People of Israel live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am God, your God.”

⁴⁴ Moses posted the calendar for the annual appointed feasts of God which Israel was to celebrate.

For Reflection

Celebrate as in a festival.  Live in a booth erected for the occasion.  Focus on God who through grace has delivered.  Do this in the company of the faithful.  Dedicate free-will offerings. 

How often do we set aside dedicated time to celebrate God?  When was the last time (if ever) you spent a week, or even a weekend, in a spiritual retreat?  When will you? 

Pray

that you will dedicate a time to worship in celebration of Gods power, grace, and bounty.