Happy Sabbath!

This Sabbath marks the seventh Sabbath in our count to the Festival of Pentecost. Which means that this Sunday will be the fiftieth day from when the wave sheaf was offered and thus we will have a Sabbath and Holy convocation as instructed by God in Leviticus 23. Within the commands God gives about Pentecost is an instruction about leaving the corners and gleanings of the field at harvest time (Leviticus 23:22). While this may seem like it is out of context, there is a beautiful understanding about what God desires to work out in our hearts and minds.

We are told that the purpose of this directive was to provide an opportunity for the poor and the stranger to gather food. This was not the first time God gave these instructions to Israel (Leviticus 19:9), but there is a connection between the attitude God was looking for and the meaning of the Feast of Harvest (Exodus 23:16). There would be an association in the mind of the people between the harvest, the kindness of God revealed within the harvest, and the responsibility of the people to have that same kindness towards others. The outward action of leaving corners/gleanings for those who are poor, was to be done out of a love towards others. This was a way in which the people were to reflect the same love and concern that God had shown them. God's instruction was given to show how the character of God would be made manifest in outward actions.

For us today, we do not have the same connection to a physical harvest, but the lesson is the same. We know that this Holy Day pictures God pouring out His spirit on the brethren gathered in Acts 2. We, as a continuation of the Church, have that same Spirit dwelling within us. With this spirit we have been given the ability to have the love of God in our lives (Romans 5:5). If God is abiding within us through His spirit, we will show that love towards one another (John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:12-13). In fact, this love towards each other is evidence that God's love is being perfected in us!

On one hand, we have the Israelites who had been given God's law but lacked the heart to truly obey them as God desired (Deuteronomy 5:29). On the other hand, because of what God the Father enacted through His Son, we have God's Spirit poured into our hearts, giving us the power to sincerely express God's law in our lives. The basis of the law being love towards God and love towards man (Matthew 22:34-40). So, the instructions about leaving the corners and gleanings was God showing the people through His law, how His perfect love is displayed in our lives. God knowing that on the Feast of Pentecost He would give His people the power to truly begin to serve others with Godly love, connects the Holy Day to these instructions.

On Pentecost, we celebrate the awesome potential God has placed within us to reflect His nature. Let's rejoice in the recognition of the tremendous gifts God has given us and in turn acknowledge our need to grow in the love God.  

Look forward to seeing everyone the next two Sabbaths!

Devin Schulz