Leviticus 23

The Explanation

It was hot in the desert. The sand was warm under Moses' feet.

Moses stood still and listened. God was speaking to him.

"Moses," said God. "I want to tell you something happy."

Moses listened very carefully.

"My people must have feasts," said God. "Lots of feasts. Every year."

A feast! Moses smiled.

"First," said God, "one day every week. Six days you work. Then one day you rest. No work at all. Just rest, with Me."

Then God said more. "In the spring, a feast with bread. Flat bread, without any bubbles in it. Eat it for seven days, and remember. I brought you out of Egypt."

And there was more. "When the grain grows tall in the fields, bring Me the very first bit. Wave it up high, so I can see it."

And more still. "Then blow the trumpets! Toooot! Everybody comes and listens."

And at the end of the year, the very best feast of all.

What Does This Mean?

"Go outside," said God. "Pick branches. Palm branches, and green leafy branches, and soft willow branches from the brook."

Can you smell them? Green and fresh.

"Build little houses out of the branches," said God. "Little huts. Sleep in them for seven whole days. Eat in them. Sing in them."

Why little huts? Because long ago God's people had no houses. They walked and walked through the desert. They slept in little tents. And God took care of them, every single night.

So every year they built the huts again. And the children asked, "Why are we sleeping outside?"

And mother said, "Because God brought us out of Egypt. God took care of us. God still takes care of us."

And then everybody was glad. Seven days glad, together, with God.

The Common Thread

God did not say, "Now work harder." God said, "Now come and be glad with Me."

God also said something kind about the fields. "When you pick your grain, do not pick every last bit. Leave some in the corners. Leave some on the ground. Then the poor people can come and eat too."

So the feast was for everyone. Even for people with empty hands.

And later, much later, Jesus came. Jesus came to a feast like this. Jesus is the one who gives us bread. Jesus is the one who says, "Come to Me and rest."

For You

Do you know what God likes? God likes it when you are happy with Him.

You can make your own little hut. Under the table, with a blanket over it. Sit inside. Take a piece of bread with you.

And say, out loud, in your blanket hut: "God takes care of me."

Because He does. Every day. Every night.

Talk About It

What would you take with you into a little hut made of branches?

What is something happy that God gave you today?

Praying Together

Dear God,

Thank You for feasts.

Thank You for bread and for green branches.

Thank You that You take care of me, day and night.

I am glad You are my God.

Amen.