August 4 2023
These are the appointed festivals of the Lord, which you shall celebrate as times of holy convocation, for presenting to the Lord offerings by fire—burnt-offerings and grain-offerings, sacrifices and drink-offerings, each on its proper day—
From Leviticus 23:1,4-11,15-16,27,34-37, NRSV
In today’s reading, God instructs Moses about some of the solemn festivals which the people of Israel are to keep in addition to continuing to keep the Sabbath. The appointed festivals mentioned in this extract are: Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread, The Festival of Weeks, The Day of Atonement and The Festival of Weeks. The main focus of all these festivals is gratitude for what God has done and continues to do. God clearly wanted his people always to remember and celebrate the great events of their history by which they were saved. The celebration of these festivals would require some effort, discipline and sacrifice on the part of the people.
- Why was it important for the people of Israel to remember their history?
- What are the Festivals that mark our Christian year – how can we make them special?
You may like to research how some of these Jewish festivals are celebrated today.
