Numbers 29:1-2 - “On
the first day of the seventh month hold a sacred assembly and do no regular
work. It is a day for you to sound the trumpets.”
Moses concluded God’s specific directions for each festival
and celebration with the requirements for the 7th month. Our September…was a month full of sacred
assemblies and sacrifices…continuing into the 8th day of the month. Trumpets
were sounded….this time in celebration of God’s great strength and mercy on
these stubborn people.
This celebration stopped work…and began an additional series
of offerings that rivaled no other time of the year. By the time the celebration
was over the number of lambs and rams was double the number offered at the Passover
and feast of Pentecost, the number of oxen was fivefold; for, instead of
fourteen… there were seventy offered during the week.
As I read…and think on what must have been a wonderful time
of fellowship and rest…I have nothing to compare it to in present day. Perhaps Easter…or Christmas…or even Thanksgiving
might give it a run for its money…but even those holidays don’t cause us to
stop work…and spend the next 8 days celebrating what God has done to deliver us.
Perhaps …because the need to sacrifice animals was done away
with when Jesus gave his life as the last blood sacrifice ever needed… we don’t
need these specific routines that offer up atonement and celebrate God’s care
in our life. But I don’t believe for a moment that I do not need to stop on a regular
basis and thank God for all that he has provided for me throughout my life as
much as I can. We save for a yearly vacation to rest and get away from our busy
lives…but when was the last time we saved to spend a few days in retreat just with
God?
Father…thank you for the reminder that I need to stop and
thank you for the many blessings and mercies you have shown to me throughout my
life. Forgive me for the times that I have taken your care and love for
granted. Help me to stop…really stop… daily…weekly…monthly…and occasionally go
away to spend a few days in a row just with you. Amen.
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