Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 28:16-31. Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2028&version=NASB1995
I quote only the following verses.
“‘Then on the fourteenth day of the first month shall be the LORD’S Passover. On the fifteenth day of this month shall be a feast, unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days. On the first day shall be a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work. You shall present an offering by fire, a burnt offering to the LORD: two bulls and one ram and seven male lambs one year old, having them without defect. … On the seventh day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work.
‘Also on the day of the first fruits, when you present a new grain offering to the LORD in your Feast of Weeks, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work. You shall offer a burnt offering for a soothing aroma to the LORD: two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs one year old; and their grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil: three-tenths of an ephah for each bull, two-tenths for the one ram, a tenth for each of the seven lambs; also one male goat to make atonement for you. Besides the continual burnt offering and its grain offering, you shall present them with their drink offerings. They shall be without defect.” Numbers 28:16-19 and 25-31.
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There were similar offerings between the LORD’S Passover and Feast of Weeks. I did not quote all the offerings for the LORD’S Passover. For this devotion, I wanted to focus on the commands “you shall do no laborious work.”
The LORD’s Passover reminded Israel of God’s deliverance of them from their slavery in Egypt, summarized by deliverance from adversity.
The Feast of Weeks reminded Israel of God’s deliverance of them to abundant harvests of “first fruits”, and the hope of the Promised Land, summarized by deliverance to prosperity.
But throughout both adversity and prosperity, Israel was commanded to trust the LORD and rest, summarized by the commands “you shall do no laborious work.”
When we face adversity, let us trust the LORD and rest.
“Thus says the LORD,
“The people who survived the sword
Found grace in the wilderness—
Israel, when it went to find its rest.” Jeremiah 31:2-3.
“7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath;
Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.
9 For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.” Psalm 37:7-9.
“15 For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said,
“In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.”
But you were not willing,
16 And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses,”
Therefore you shall flee!
“And we will ride on swift horses,”
Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift.” Isaiah 30:15-16.
“Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.” Hebrews 4:1.
When we face prosperity, let us trust the LORD and rest.
“The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.” Psalm 23:1-2.
“I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest,” declares the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 34:15.
“11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!” Psalm 84:11-12.
“It is vain for you to rise up early,
To retire late,
To eat the bread of painful labors;
For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.” Psalm 127:2.
“Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.” Psalm 116:7.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 