Rejoicing - Deuteronomy 16

Chapter 16 is shorter as well, and mostly deals with the festivals that we have covered previously. One thing that I think is interesting to note is that the word that keeps coming up when describing these festivals is “rejoice”. I was talking to my daughter tonight and she said something to the effect of “I want you to have something good in your life that you live for.” I’m obviously still pretty upset about the issue that happened in my family and I guess probably just life in general, it’s always been a giant slog through. There was a very short time during 2005-2006 when I was happy and generally not super stressed out, but that’s it, that was the only time, like I said, everything else has just been soul crushing. But when my daughter said that, and reading it here now, it almost makes me wonder if, for me, if “rejoicing” and being “happy” if that’s not the ultimate demonstration of faith. That’s interesting, I’m going to have to think about that. I’m always pessimistic and prepping for the worst case scenario, I think as a trauma response, and I don’t think I’ve ever dared to be optimistic about the future. In fact, I was talking to a friend the other day and I said something like “I think it’s going to work out alright,” and I recognized that in that moment, that was uncharacteristically optimistic for me but I felt that way because I believe in the signs and promises that Jesus has given me. So that’s kind of an interesting connection. The other aspect that is mentioned with all the instructions is to make sure that orphans and widows were also part of the celebrations because isolation can be brutal. This isn’t just for families or elites, but rejoicing in the gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. These are interesting thoughts.

The IM has a good bit on this about celebrations, Christmas and Easter specifically, are meant to remind us about aspects of Christ’s ministry, the plan of salvation, and the gospel and that the festivals that the Lord commanded were to serve similar purposes for Israel, albeit different aspects of the gospel, that looking forward instead of backward. Additionally, some of the festivals were generally meant to coincide with changing seasons, “reminding the people of God’s constant provision for them, and providing an opportunity to return to God some token of all that he had given. Others commemorated the great events of Israel’s history, the occasions when in an unmistakable way God had stepped in to deliver his people. All were occasions of whole-hearted delight and enjoyment of God’s good gifts, and at the same time sober gatherings to seek his forgiveness and cleansing. They were never intended to be observed out of mere formality and empty ritual. The prophets had sharp words for those who reduced them to this level. The purpose of the festivals was spiritual: a great and glorious meeting of God and his people.”

I’ve always hated the phrase “men are that they might have joy,” because I felt like every time someone says it, it comes from someone who I don’t think has suffered the way that I have, and honestly, it’s probably true. I always thought “if you had lived my life and suffered the way that I had, then joy wouldn’t be possible.” And I still feel that way, but maybe it’s time to look at it a little bit more. Even after Lehi had his vision of the destruction of Jerusalem, when he came home, he praised God and rejoiced. What would Lehi have to rejoice about after seeing the death and enslavement of his people? The plan and mercy of God. God’s positive nature so greatly outweighed the destruction of his people that Lehi rejoiced in it. Something to think about.

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