CHILDREN in the BIBLE
© Original material and text. 2019.

Section Five

Festivals

In the Old Testament, the Israelites had a calendar that was connected to their way of life. Because agriculture played such a big part in their way of life, months were linked to the cycles of harvest. Festivals were set aside to take place on the same day each year. Three festivals are described in Deuteronomy Chapter 16 verses 1 to 17. These three major festivals were used for specific purposes. The three festivals were Passover, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles. Each of the three have some specific instructions about including children. Exodus Chapter 12 shows that children were included in the Passover celebrations. Deuteronomy Chapter 16 verse 11 shows that children were included in the Festival of Weeks. Deuteronomy Chapter 16 verse 14 shows that children were included in the Festival of Tabernacles. All of these three major festivals included children.

The Three Festivals

Passover - remembering the events around the release from Egypt Festival of Weeks - a thanksgiving for the wheat harvest involving bread, animals and drink (see also Leviticus Chapter 23 verses 15 to 22) Festival of Tabernacles - a thanksgiving for the olive and grape harvest (see also Leviticus Chapter 23 verses 33 to 43) All three of these festivals celebrated God’s provision. As a result, they all involved giving something as ‘firstfuit’ offerings to thank God.
CHILDREN in the Bible
© 2019

Section Five

Festivals

In the Old Testament, the Israelites had a calendar that was connected to their way of life. Because agriculture played such a big part in their way of life, months were linked to the cycles of harvest. Festivals were set aside to take place on the same day each year. Three festivals are described in Deuteronomy Chapter 16 verses 1 to 17. These three major festivals were used for specific purposes. The three festivals were Passover, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles. Each of the three have some specific instructions about including children. Exodus Chapter 12 shows that children were included in the Passover celebrations. Deuteronomy Chapter 16 verse 11 shows that children were included in the Festival of Weeks. Deuteronomy Chapter 16 verse 14 shows that children were included in the Festival of Tabernacles. All of these three major festivals included children.

The Three Festivals

Passover - remembering the events around the release from Egypt Festival of Weeks - a thanksgiving for the wheat harvest involving bread, animals and drink (see also Leviticus Chapter 23 verses 15 to 22) Festival of Tabernacles - a thanksgiving for the olive and grape harvest (see also Leviticus Chapter 23 verses 33 to 43) All three of these festivals celebrated God’s provision. As a result, they all involved giving something as ‘firstfuit’ offerings to thank God.