On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
The verse appoints the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, also called the Feast of Booths, as a holy convocation, a sacred gathering and holy assembly on which no ordinary, servile labor or work is to be done. The feast lasted seven days, beginning on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, with an eighth day added to the seven and observed in the same manner as the first. It fell in the seventh month after the harvest work had ended and before the new year's work began. For the feast worshipers came up to Jerusalem and lived in booths made from branches, leafy booths set up around the city, which recalled God's care for Israel in the wilderness when the people lived in tents.
As the year's closing gathering, the feast was designed to turn thoughts to God's goodness, mercy, provision, care, and blessings, and to give thanks for the harvest and for the care by which it had been gathered. It was kept with booths, gladness, offerings, worship, shared meals, fellowship and hospitality, daily reading of the law, and care for Levites, strangers, and the poor. The temple was the center of the worshipers' rejoicing, with sacred song and thanksgiving, music, praise, and hosannas. The week-long stay in booths also included outdoor recreation, social life, and rejoicing, shared hospitably with strangers, Levites, and the poor. This freedom from care and labor allowed the people to gather in Jerusalem and give themselves to joyful worship, making the time devoted to gratitude and education.
The opening holy day, set apart from common work and business, calls all believing men and women to come up and assemble together. No excuse of expense or distance or prior attendance justifies staying away, and business must not detain God's people, for neglect to gather displeases God. Coming strengthens the work by personal presence, presents the full rank and file of believers before opposing ministers and prejudiced cities, guards the way that leads to the city of God, and gives opportunity to warn Wellington and open the way to other cities.
The verse appoints the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, also called the Feast of Booths, as a holy convocation, a sacred gathering and holy assembly on which no ordinary, servile labor or work is to be done. The feast lasted seven days, beginning on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, with an eighth day added to the seven and observed in the same manner as the first. It fell in the seventh month after the harvest work had ended and before the new year's work began. For the feast worshipers came up to Jerusalem and lived in booths made from branches, leafy booths set up around the city, which recalled God's care for Israel in the wilderness when the people lived in tents.
As the year's closing gathering, the feast was designed to turn thoughts to God's goodness, mercy, provision, care, and blessings, and to give thanks for the harvest and for the care by which it had been gathered. It was kept with booths, gladness, offerings, worship, shared meals, fellowship and hospitality, daily reading of the law, and care for Levites, strangers, and the poor. The temple was the center of the worshipers' rejoicing, with sacred song and thanksgiving, music, praise, and hosannas. The week-long stay in booths also included outdoor recreation, social life, and rejoicing, shared hospitably with strangers, Levites, and the poor. This freedom from care and labor allowed the people to gather in Jerusalem and give themselves to joyful worship, making the time devoted to gratitude and education.
The opening holy day, set apart from common work and business, calls all believing men and women to come up and assemble together. No excuse of expense or distance or prior attendance justifies staying away, and business must not detain God's people, for neglect to gather displeases God. Coming strengthens the work by personal presence, presents the full rank and file of believers before opposing ministers and prejudiced cities, guards the way that leads to the city of God, and gives opportunity to warn Wellington and open the way to other cities.