Why Keep the Feast? Mike Kreyer God’s Feasts are a great benefit to His people and He commands to be kept.
T he Feast of Tabernacles is the highlight of the year for mem- bers of God’s True Church. Like every one of God’s Feasts it is rich with meaning and spells out a specif- ic part of His master plan for man- kind. God’s appointed Feast days are a very important time for His people. Why is the Feast of Tabernacles such an important time of year? More im- portantly, why is it so important to God that His people observe it? The answer is found in Scripture, which reveals the foundational reasons for keeping this wonderful Feast. It’s God’s Feast When researching the Feast days, the first place to look is in Leviticus 23. One of the most overlooked reasons for attending the Feast is found in verse 2: “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the LORD, which you shall pro - claim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.’” Notice God’s wording. These are not described as Jewish feasts or human traditions—they are “the Feasts of the LORD” and “My Feasts.” God Himself established these appointed times. They originated with Him, be- long to Him, and reflect His divine purpose. Because God is the Author of His Holy Days, He also has the authority to command their obser- vance. Throughout history, many have viewed God’s Feast Days as optional or merely symbolic. Yet
Scripture consistently presents them as holy appointments established by God Himself. The encouraging news is that a day is coming when the entire world will observe the Feast of Tabernacles. In Zechariah 14:16 God declares: “And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations... shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.”
people closer to Him. One day the entire world will rejoice together un- der Christ’s righteous rule, living in peace and harmony with God. Yet one’s obedience should never be mo- tivated merely by duty. Jesus said in John 14:15: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” The greatest reason for attending the Feast is love. Christians attend be- cause they love God and desire to spend time in His presence. During these seven days, God’s people set aside the distractions of everyday life to worship Him, hear His instruction, drawing closer to Him. Jesus further reminds His followers in John 14:21: “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.” Likewise, Christ summarized the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37 (also found in Mark 12:30): “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” Love for God should be the founda- tion of everything Christians do at the Feast. When their hearts are cen- tered on Him, worship becomes more than attendance—it becomes a joyful expression of their relationship with the Creator.
What a remarkable picture! Humani - ty united in worship, every knee bow- ing before the King of kings, joyfully
keeping His appointed Feast. Commanded by God—and Motivated by Love
Leviticus 23 plainly commands God’s people to observe the Feast of Taber- nacles and the Eighth Day (known as the Last Great Day see John 7:37) as holy convocations, setting aside ordi- nary work and dedicating these days to worship before Him (Leviticus 23:33-43). God’s commandments are never arbitrary. They reveal His wisdom and His desire to draw His
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A Good Report, Vol. 2 No. 3
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