Today's Reading: Leviticus 23
The Bible
contains many words and phrases that are not familiar to many of us, and which
are not really part of our everyday conversations. One such word is “convocation.”
In the Old Testament, the word "convocation" was used to refer to a
sacred assembly or gathering of the people of Israel for the purpose of
worship, instruction, and celebration of religious festivals.
Today’s
verse outlines the importance of the Sabbath day to the people of Israel. God
commanded them to set aside the seventh day of the week as a day of rest and
worship, and to refrain from work and other secular activities. The Sabbath
convocation involved gathering together as a community to worship God and hear
from His Word. The people would come together to sing hymns, pray, and hear the
reading of God’s laws.
As
Christians, while we are no longer under the strict requirements of the Old
Testament law, we are still called to honor God with our time and to regularly set
aside a time for rest and worship.
In the New
Testament, Jesus himself affirmed the importance of the Sabbath when he said,
"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27).
This means that the Sabbath is a gift from God for our benefit, to help us rest
and recharge, and to draw us closer to Him.
For
modern-day Christ-followers, observing a weekly Sabbath can help us prioritize
our relationship with God and our spiritual well-being. This could mean setting
aside a day each week for rest, worship, and reflection, or finding other ways
to intentionally create space for God in our busy lives. It also means we
should take time regularly to gather with our fellow believers to sing hymns,
pray, and hear the teaching of God’s Word.
Ultimately,
the principle behind this commandment is to recognize that God deserves our
full attention and devotion. By setting aside a time for rest, worship, and
holy “convocations” (gatherings), we can honor Him and deepen our relationship
with Him.
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