Party On - And That's An Order!

In Bill Hybels' book Axiom, he says that Leaders should be well-read individuals who regularly pursue knowledge expansion through the important discipline of personal reading. Whilst his remarks include all manner of different literature, I think that every Christian has a holy obligation to get hold of the Bible and diligently pursue Holy Spirit understanding as they tackle every dimension of God's Word.

After a month or two of study, I am coming to the end of the Book of Leviticus. It has been an interesting journey! Some of it has mystified me (even with a very good commentary) whilst other sections of it have taken on a life of their own and God has really spoken to me. It is not the easiest book of the Bible to get your head around but it has sparked off some very interesting thoughts in my mind, one of which I'd like to share with you today.

In Leviticus 23, God is instructing Moses on the various different feasts that made up the Israelite calendar. The one which caught my attention was Tabernacles (vs33-44). This was to commemorate the Israelites release from Egypt and the ensuing journey they took into the wilderness, led by the Lord. What distinguishes this feast is that every Israelite was to live in a booth for seven days (vs42-43). I wonder if this was some sort of forerunner to Faith Camp?! Can you imagine the atmosphere that would have permeated that camp as men, women, children and teenagers (who probably moaned and slammed a few curtain doors, all the while mumbling under their breath) all lived in these specially made tents for a whole week. I can imagine the word 'Why?' was regularly heard in these families as the children wanted to know what this adventure was all about. In fact, I think this is why God asked them to form this prophetic picture; a reminder of what it was like and the awesome work God did for them all.

This Feast was also a celebration. God actually commands the people to have a big party and celebrate hard for a while week! Verse 40-41 "One the first day you are to take choice fruit from the trees and palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars and rejoice before the Lord for seven days. Celebrate this as a festival to the LORD for seven days each year." This partying is not an irreverent, disrespectful knees-up (Ephesians 5:18). Rather it is permission from the Lord to party with Him not away from Him. Sometimes we need to be told to lighten up and enjoy what God has done for us. Christians should throw the best parties on earth as it is a reminder of the most amazing party yet to come (Matthew 25:10, Revelation 19).

Yes, there is important, serious matters to be attended to but I think the Lord likes to offset some of this work with fun, laughter, celebration and a big party - that's an order!