Date | Version | Reading Plan |
---|---|---|
June 18, 2025 | ESV (2016) | OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027 |
Deuteronomy 16
Observation & Interpretation
The LORD through Moses told the people that they were to observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover of the LORD their God (Deut. 16:1). This was “early in the spring, [and] must be observed as the month when the liberating event of the exodus took place.” (CSB Notes). The Passover sacrifice was to be offered in the place the LORD had chosen to make His name dwell (Deut. 16:3). They were to eat unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, and always remember the day when they came out of the land of Egypt (Deut. 16:3). The Passover sacrifice was not to offered within any of the towns the LORD had given them but at the place where He had chosen to make His name dwell (Deut. 16:5-6). They were to eat unleavened bread for six days and have a solemn assembly on the seventh, doing no work on it (Deut. 16:8).
From the time the sickle was first put to the standing grain, the people were to count seven weeks. There was to be a feast, The Feast of Weeks, which “began with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and is a symbol of the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (BBC). There was to be rejoicing among all the people at the place where the LORD had chosen to make His name dwell (Deut. 16:11). They were to remember that they were a slave in Egypt and should be careful to observe the statutes of the LORD (Deut. 16:12).
The people were to keep the Feast of Booths seven days, when they had gathered in the produce from their threshing floor and winepress (Deut. 16:13). As with the Feast of Weeks, there was to be rejoicing among all people at the place where the LORD had chosen for His name to dwell (Deut. 16:14-15).
Three times a year all males among the people were to appear before the LORD their God at the place He chose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Booths. Nobody was to appear before the LORD empty-handed and every man was to give as he was able (Deut. 16:16-17).
Officers and judges were to be appointed in all the towns of the people the LORD was giving them to judge with righteous judgment (Deut. 16:18). The people were not to pervert justice, show partiality or take a bribe as this blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of righteousness (Deut. 16:19). They were to follow only justice that they may live and inherit the land the LORD had given them (Deut. 16:20).
The final admonition of the chapter is that no trees were to be planted as an Asherah beside the altar of the LORD their God nor any pillars setup which the LORD their God hates (Deut. 16:21-22).
Application
For both the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Booths, there was a call for all people to rejoice at the place where the LORD had chosen for His name to dwell. This rejoicing was to be in remembrance of what the LORD had done and the great blessing with which He blessed them. Requisite rejoicing may see odd to us, but we must realize by Whom and for Whom it was called. Our aversive reaction to commanded rejoicing of the LORD reveals to the corruption of the human heart which is naturally disinclined to rightful worship of our God. We see this play out later in the Biblical narrative, reading in Amos 5:21 of how these feasts were despised by the LORD because they were outward ritual observances masking an internal rebellion and failure to live in justice and righteousness.
As New Testament believers, we should take from this that such callings to rejoice are not burdensome, but an invitation to exalt the One who alone is deserving of all exaltation. May we never tire or grow weary of rejoicing in our Lord for who He is and what He has done.
Ephesians 1
Observation & Interpretation
In Paul’s thanksgiving and prayer for the saints who are in Ephesus, we read of the “immeasurable greatness” of God’s power toward those who believe, according to the “working of his might” that he worked in Christ when “he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and dominion” (Eph. 1:19-20a).
Application
God is supreme over all earthly rule and authority and dominion. His power was made manifest in the raising of Jesus from the dead and seating Him at the Father’s right hand in the heavenly places. How heartening it is to read of how our God is all-surpassing in power and majesty and that no one exceeds His reign. May we abide in this wondrous truth, living in full surrender and devotion to our great God and King whose name is above every name in heaven and on earth.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are worthy of all honor, praise and glory. By Your Spirit, keep my heart ever afresh in the truth of the gospel of Your Son, thankful and rejoicing in His great sacrifice. Father, help me to rest in Your benevolent rule, courageous and faithful to the calling that You predestined, adopted to Yourself as a son through Jesus Christ.
Resources
- J. I. Packer et. al, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016)
- Colin Hansen (Editor in Chief), TGC Bible Commentary (Columbia, MO: The Gospel Coalition, 2022)
- Iain M. Duguid (Series Editor), ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018-2025)
- Faithlife Study Bible (Lexham Press, 2016)
- Believer’s Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2016)
- CSB Study Bible Notes (Holman Bible Publishers, 2017)
- The New American Commentary (Brentwood, TN: Holman Reference)
- Lane T. Dennis and Wayne Grudem (Editors), ESV Study Bible, Crossway, 2008.