In this chapter, Moses discusses the celebration of Passover, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Shelters. He begins the chapter saying, “In honor of the Lord your God, always celebrate the Passover at the proper time in early spring, for that was when the Lord your God brought you out of Egypt by night.” (Deuteronomy 16:1) He continues, telling the people to sacrifice an animal from the flock or the herd, and eat it with bread made without yeast. “For seven days eat only bread made without yeast, as you did when you escaped from Egypt in such a hurry. Eat this bread--the bread of suffering--so that you will remember the day you departed from Egypt as long as you live.” (Deuteronomy 16:3)
Moses then explains that the Passover celebration must not take place in the towns that the Lord is giving them. Instead, “It must be offered at the place the Lord your God will choose for his name to be honored. Sacrifice it there as the sun goes down on the anniversary of your exodus from Egypt. Roast the lamb and eat it in the place the Lord your God chooses. Then go back to your tents the next morning. For the next six days you may not eat bread made with yeast. On the seventh day the people must assemble before the Lord your God, and no work may be done on that day.” (Deuteronomy 16:6-8)
Moses then tells the people to celebrate the Festival of Harvest seven weeks after the beginning of the grain harvest. In this festival, he informs them to bring a freewill offering, which is an offering in proportion to the blessings they’ve received from the Lord. He then says, “Celebrate with your whole family, all your servants, the Levites from your towns, and the foreigners, orphans, and widows who live among you.” (Deuteronomy 16:11)
Moses tells the people of Israel that for seven days at the end of the harvest season, they must celebrate the Festival of Shelters to honor God for all of His blessings and bountiful harvests He gives them. He then says, “Each year every man in Israel must celebrate these three festivals: the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Shelters. They must appear before the Lord your God at the place he chooses on each of these occasions, and they must bring a gift to the Lord. All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 16:16-17)
Moses finishes the chapter instructing the people to appoint judges and officials for each tribe in all of the towns the Lord is giving them. He states that these officials must judge people fairly, and “...never twist justice or show partiality. Never accept a bribe, 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 your God is giving you.” (Deuteronomy 16:19-20)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! You have given us more than we need and have blessed us abundantly! Help us to cheerfully give to others as you have given to us, and help us make wise decisions so our eyes are never blinded. We love you!
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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