The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Deuteronomy 16:16a,
"Three times a year all your men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles."
Three times a year the Israelites were to gather at a place of the Lord's own choosing. That place he calls "a dwelling for his Name." The Festival of Unleavened Bread (together with the Passover), the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles.
For each of these Festivals, in the directions the Israelites were given for them, the physical location is not identified, but just the reference to the place of God's own choosing. "You must not sacrifice the Passover in any town the Lord your God gives you except in the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name." Verses 5-6. "Then celebrate the Festival of Weeks to the Lord your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the Lord your God has given you. And rejoice before the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name..." Verses 10-11. "For seven days celebrate the festival [the Festival of Tabernacles] to the Lord your God at the place the Lord will choose." Verse 15.
"Three times a year all your men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles."
Three times a year the Israelites were to gather at a place of the Lord's own choosing. That place he calls "a dwelling for his Name." The Festival of Unleavened Bread (together with the Passover), the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles.
For each of these Festivals, in the directions the Israelites were given for them, the physical location is not identified, but just the reference to the place of God's own choosing. "You must not sacrifice the Passover in any town the Lord your God gives you except in the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name." Verses 5-6. "Then celebrate the Festival of Weeks to the Lord your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the Lord your God has given you. And rejoice before the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name..." Verses 10-11. "For seven days celebrate the festival [the Festival of Tabernacles] to the Lord your God at the place the Lord will choose." Verse 15.
Obviously, the Lord knew he would eventually have the Israelites move the tabernacle to Jerusalem and have the temple built there where his glory would maintain a presence. That was where Israel was to celebrate these three festivals. Jerusalem was the place the Lord chose "as the dwelling for his Name", but decided not to inform the Israelites at this point where it would be. I suspect his decision to keep it from Israel at this time had to do with the conquering and distribution of the land.
It may have been difficult to maintain tranquility among the tribes of Israel as they all fought together against the Canaanites to gain control of the promised land. Judah would be the tribe that would host the Lord's presence as Jerusalem fell into their share of the distribution of land. It just may have caused resentment among the tribes as they all fought together - something not needed for the conquering of the land.
Just thinking out loud here. I really have no clue, so I'm just musing. What does excite me about the idea of a place of God's own choosing as a dwelling for his Name is that in the church he has decided it will be within our own hearts! That is just amazing to me.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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