Canter Bridge

In his valedictory speeches to the nation that has taken shape under his hands, Moses in the book of Deuteronomy lays out Israel’s festal rhythm. Three times each year, Israel is to rejoice in the feast: Passover, the Feast of Weeks, and the autumnal Feast of Booths.

The relentless servitude of Egypt is to fade away—though not its memory—before the productive labors and frequent feasts of Israel in its promised land.

A certain pattern emerges as the discipline of feasting is observed. First, there is to be gladness. Second, the Israelites will meet YHWH with offerings fueled by gratitude. Third, the feast is not to occur at the expense of added labor for the serving class. To the contrary, the entire community—including even its resident aliens—participates in the collective bonhomie of the Three Feasts. Finally, the people are to remember YHWH’s goodness in their affliction as an antidote to forgetting his presence among them. The feasts are to remind a joyous Israel of YHWH’s liberation and his provision.

In the calendrical timescape that Moses places before his impatient people, listening to their liberator and lawgiver on the cusp of their promised land, hard labor and warfare lie before Israel. But a feast is never far away.