This is part of a video series covering the entire Bible in 4 years, one chapter at a time. Start at the beginning with Genesis 1 (Youtube link: https://youtu.be/wC2qD4RGOdo) and work through the playlist. Or go to https://www.peace.org.au/bible.html for more information.
In this video listen to Deuteronomy 16 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.
In Deuteronomy 16 in Moses’ great speech he recounts the three great feasts. These three are pilgrimage feasts which meant people were meant to travel to the place, which was Jerusalem later, for them. While the 12 tribes were in the land, none was really more than a few days' journey from Jerusalem, as we see later in the life of Christ, he regularly travelled to Jerusalem for feasts, This is seen most clearly in John’s gospel where he is present for multiple passover, plus other feasts.
We have often heard that Jesus had a three year ministry, but if you read Matthew, Mark or Luke we only see one passover there, the final one. But in John’s gospel is where we get the multiple feasts that Jesus attends in Jerusalem. Plus in Luke we also see Jesus' parents take him to the temple for passover as a twelve year old boy, so we see that pilgrimage was his family habit. Each of the pilgrimage feasts is a seven day feast - a symbolic number for God. And there are three, of them, the number of the trinity, also a number of God.
In verse 14 he says “you shall rejoice”. It’s funny that God commands them to keep feasts and then commands them to celebrate the feasts. This is because for humans the reason for joy is not obvious. Of course we cannot fake enthusiasm, (en theos) but we can through obedience grow to see the things that bring joy. So we always start with obedience to God. For the Israelites they were obliged to celebrate these three times per year as a way of remembering all that God had done for them.
As believers we participate not only in annual events like Christmas and Easter, but other regular practices like communion/eucharist, and weekly church attendance, which we should be joyful about too. IMagine if God said we had to attend church, and we had to celebrate. Many would not see the reason for doing so, but in time their eyes might be opened if they persist.
Ultimately the feasts are Christ, and we are celebrating Him. It is plainly stated by Paul in Colossians 2:16-17.
Jun 28, 2021 | Message by David Alley