Deuteronomy 16:14
And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.
Deuteronomy 16:14 commands glad rejoicing at the weeklong Feast of Tabernacles, when Israel left their houses to live in leafy booths in remembrance of the wilderness journey, after the harvest was gathered and following the assurance of pardon on the Day of Atonement. The rejoicing was not for the household alone but was to embrace son and daughter, manservant and maidservant, and the Levite, stranger, fatherless, widow, and poor within the gates. Those in need and those who served God were to be welcomed as guests to share fully in the worship, fellowship, and gladness, with the feast supported by the second tithe and thank-offerings so none would be left out. Rejoicing was to be joined with generous gifts and freewill offerings in proportion to blessing received, for no one was to appear before God empty. The celebration was meant to turn hearts to God's goodness, mercy, and care through the year, teaching His people to hold their possessions as stewards and to use them freely for His cause and for the poor.
Feast Context and Celebration
The command to rejoice belongs to the Feast of Tabernacles, the weeklong commemoration of the time when the Hebrews lived in tents during the wilderness journey. For that week the people left their houses to live in booths made of green leafy branches, set up on rooftops, in streets, or outside the city. The temple and surrounding area were then filled with music, ceremony, and glad rejoicing. The feast fell in the seventh month, after the completed harvest and before the next year's labor, when the people were free from their labors. Its seasons were set apart from unnecessary work so the people could consider God's blessings.
It followed the Day of Atonement, when the people had assurance that their sin would be remembered no more, so they could rejoice at peace with God and give thanks for His goodness and mercy. The annual feasts were occasions for worship and social fellowship, first held at Shiloh and later at Jerusalem. Although only fathers and sons were required to attend, families came whenever possible. The feast was meant to turn thoughts to God's goodness, mercy, and care throughout the year. It brought people together in gratitude to God for the year's harvest.
It was also a time to remember God's blessings, including deliverance from bondage. The yearly Passover was also to be commemorated, and faithfulness to God's requirements was connected with His blessing on the people's increase and work.
Shared Joy and Generosity
Rejoicing at the feast was to include, as far as possible, not the household alone but the whole household and community within the gates: son and daughter, manservant and maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, the widow, and the poor. Children and servants, Levites, strangers, orphans and widows were all to share in rejoicing before God in remembrance of His blessings and freedom from bondage. The stranger was not to be despised for being from outside Israel but was to be welcomed at the thanksgiving feasts as the people remembered God's mercies. Families came whenever possible, though only fathers and sons were required to attend.
The stranger, the Levite, and the poor were welcomed as guests to share in the social and religious celebration, so that both gratitude to God and its blessings were shared with them. Generous hospitality to God's workers and to those in need was part of the celebration. The Levite who served in the sanctuary and taught religion was treated as a guest, and the poor, the stranger, and the Levite were welcomed beyond a household's own family. This shared religious feast at the yearly festivals was supported by the second tithe, alongside thank-offerings and a portion for the priest, so that the poor could participate and the people could receive instruction and encouragement in God's service.
Rejoicing was joined with gifts, freewill offerings, and thank offerings in keeping with blessings received, and the people were not to appear before God empty. Generous gifts showed gratitude and love for God as Benefactor, while meager gifts revealed selfishness, ungratefulness, and low regard for His gifts. The feast command taught the people to use their possessions generously to support God's cause and meet the needs of the poor, remembering that God owned what they had and had given it to them as stewards. Its inclusive hospitality calls for families to include others, especially the poor, in their hospitality, and for tender care for people in sickness or need.