THE FEAST OF WEEKS.
Deuteronomy 16:9-12.
At first glance the Feast of Weeks appears to be a purely agricultural festival (DEUTERONOMY 16:9-10), an offering of firstfruits to the LORD (cf. Exodus 23:16a; Exodus 34:22a). The timing of the Feast of Weeks is seven weeks and a day (in other words fifty days) after Passover (cf. Leviticus 23:15-16). It also involved various sacrifices to be made (cf. Numbers 28:26-31.
In rabbinic tradition it is taught that this date also commemorates the giving of the Law to Moses. The giving of the Law, as we know, led to the death of 3000 people after the Golden Calf incident (cf. Exodus 32:26-28).
The Hebrew feast is named ‘Shavuot’ or ‘Weeks,’ but came to be known in Greek as ‘Pentecost’ or ‘Fiftieth (day).’ For Christians, Pentecost has ‘fully come’ (cf. Acts 2:1) with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit: a day on which 3000 souls were added to the Church (cf. Acts 2:41).
The Feast of Weeks was a time for rejoicing “before the LORD” (DEUTERONOMY 16:11). It was a feast not just for families, but for whole households (including servants); for the local clergy (Levites); for strangers, orphans and widows.
Israel may never forget that once they were “a bondman in Egypt” (DEUTERONOMY 16:12). Likewise Christian people may never forget that once we were under the thraldom of the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Our gratitude for all that the Lord has done for us is reflected in acts of generosity towards the poor and marginalised (cf. Leviticus 23:22). In the words of Jesus, 'Freely ye have received, freely give' (cf. Matthew 10:8).
