In Deuteronomy 14 (today's OT reading), God instructs each Israelite family to set aside a tithe of their harvest. The purpose of this tithe is different from the one described in Numbers 18-- "You and your household shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice" (Deut 14:26). They were to carry their tithe to the place where the tabernacle was set up to have a festival (party) where they are to "rejoice" or "celebrate" (NLT) before the Lord. If they lived too far away to carry their tithe with them, then they were to sell it and use the money to buy cattle and sheep and wine (we’ll just skip over the “or other fermented drink” part) and whatever else they wanted when they got there. But whether they took their tithe with them or converted it to money to buy goods when they arrived, the tithe was to be used for the same thing. They were to have a festival, a celebration, a party before the Lord.
And it was a party with a purpose-- to teach them to “revere” (NIV) or “fear” (NASB) or “respect” (NCV) the Lord. Through gathering together with the people of God for this festival with eating and drinking and laughter, Israel was being taught to reverence God. Reverence was not seen as something that was incompatible with revelry; rather it was through the right revelry that Israel was taught reverence. It was through celebration and community that they learned something about the kingdom of God. In fact, one of the most consistent metaphors in scripture for the kingdom of God is the feast, festival or party--
And it was a party with a purpose-- to teach them to “revere” (NIV) or “fear” (NASB) or “respect” (NCV) the Lord. Through gathering together with the people of God for this festival with eating and drinking and laughter, Israel was being taught to reverence God. Reverence was not seen as something that was incompatible with revelry; rather it was through the right revelry that Israel was taught reverence. It was through celebration and community that they learned something about the kingdom of God. In fact, one of the most consistent metaphors in scripture for the kingdom of God is the feast, festival or party--
- Matthew 8:11-12: Gentiles coming into the kingdom (and the rejection of the Jews) is seen in imagery of a party.
- Matthew 22:1-12: The kingdom is a wedding feast where those invited to come don't, and so the master sends his servants to find other guests.
- Matthew 25:1-13: Watching for the Lord's return is explained in terms of a wedding and a wedding party.
- Luke 15:22-24: The loving father celebrates the return of his prodigal son by throwing a huge party, complete with music and, uh... choreography.
- In Revelation 19:9: The celebration to which all are invited and by which all who come are blessed is the wedding feast or party of the Lamb.
2 comments:
Sober minded does not mean sour puss face . . . A child may fear his or her parent yet play and be happy. This is not the fear we might feel from those who would molest or terrorize us as they do so.
It is reference is it not that we should have toward our heavenly father in good times and in bad times?
There are some who know they are doing wrong and continue using, abusing and causing others to become exasperated and many fall away, they live in fear and the dread that they feel now. It is a shadow of what will come at the judgement.
Those who believe and those who do not? Yes both will be in the same boat headed to the same place. Yet of those who believe some will stumble and some who fall will pick themselves up and others as they go forward. Much woo to those who cause them to fall! Theirs will be a much greater punishment.
Now lets get ready to party hardy! on earth while we are together and look toward the parting of goats and lambs!!!
What do we give up to become a Christian, I have seen those who abuse and deal in drugs of all kinds and they fall ill and die. I have seen what happens when people sin. Death here and now is welcomed in the our spirit and the body if we sin. All who do it knowingly or not draw closer to death if we sin. Sin is no fun! The kingdom of God is JOY in Christ! And joy in knowing that He hears you and will not allow your spirit to perish but will snatch you from the mouth of the lion. Let us celebrate that as we come together in His piece for His cause. "rejoice" or "celebrate" but teach “revere” “fear” “respect”to the Lord of Lords bow your head and worship none other. He breathed life into the nostrils of your mother’s mothers and your father’s fathers and it is his breath and spirit that will return to eternity all be his to do with as he wishes.
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