Passover

(Exodus 12.1-20; Leviticus 23.4-8)

Moses said:

1People of Israel, you must celebrate Passover in the month of Abib,16.1 in the month of Abib: Abib (also called Nisan), the first month of the Hebrew calendar, from about mid-March to mid-April. Passover was celebrated on the evening of the fourteenth of Abib (see Exodus 12.6; Leviticus 23.4,5). because one night in that month years ago, the LORD your God rescued you from Egypt.16.1-8: Ex 12.1-20; Lv 23.5-8; Nu 28.16-25. 2The Passover sacrifice must be a cow, a sheep, or a goat, and you must offer it at the place where the LORD chooses to be worshipped. 3-4Eat all the meat of the Passover sacrifice that same night. But don't serve bread made with yeast at the Passover meal. Serve the same kind of thin bread that you ate when you were slaves suffering in Egypt16.3,4 the same kind…in Egypt: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. and when you had to leave Egypt quickly. As long as you live, this thin bread will remind you of the day you left Egypt.

For seven days following Passover,16.3,4 seven days following Passover: This period was called the Festival of Thin Bread (see also verse 16). don't make any bread with yeast. In fact, there should be no yeast anywhere in Israel.

5Don't offer the Passover sacrifice in any town where you happen to live. 6It must be offered at the place where the LORD chooses to be worshipped. Kill the sacrifice at sunset, the time of day when you left Egypt.16.6 sunset, the time of day when you left Egypt: Or “sunset on the same date as when you left Egypt”. 7Then cook it and eat it there at the place of worship, returning to your tents the next morning.

8Eat thin bread for the next six days. Then on the seventh day, don't do any work. Instead, come together and worship the LORD.

The Harvest Festival

(Exodus 34.22; Leviticus 23.15-21)

Moses said to Israel:

9Seven weeks after you start your grain harvest,16.9-12: Lv 23.15-21; Nu 28.26-31. 10-11go to the place where the LORD chooses to be worshipped and celebrate the Harvest Festival16.10,11 Harvest Festival: Traditionally called the “Festival of Weeks”, and known in New Testament times as “Pentecost”. in honour of the LORD your God. Bring him an offering as large as you can afford, depending on how big a harvest he has given you. Be sure to take along your sons and daughters and all your servants. Also invite the poor, including Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows. 12Remember that you used to be slaves in Egypt, so obey these laws.

The Festival of Shelters

(Leviticus 23.33-43; Numbers 29.12-38)

Moses said to Israel:

13-15After you have finished the grain harvest and the grape harvest,16.13-15 After you…harvest: Leviticus 23.34 gives the exact date as the fifteenth day of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, which would be early in October. take your sons and daughters and all your servants to the place where the LORD chooses to be worshipped. Celebrate the Festival of Shelters for seven days. Also invite the poor, including Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows.16.13-15: Lv 23.33-36,39-43; Nu 29.12-38.

The LORD will give you big harvests and make you successful in everything you do. You will be completely happy, so celebrate this festival in honour of the LORD your God.

Three festivals at the place of worship

(Exodus 23.14-17)

Moses said:

16Each year there are three festivals when all Israelite men must go to the place where the LORD chooses to be worshipped. These are the Festival of Thin Bread, the Harvest Festival,16.16 Harvest Festival: See the note at 16.10,11. and the Festival of Shelters. And don't forget to take along a gift for the LORD. 17The bigger the harvest the LORD gives you, the bigger your gift should be.

Treat everyone with justice

Moses said to Israel:

18-19After you are settled in the towns that you will receive from the LORD your God, the people in each town must appoint judges and other officers. Those of you who become judges must be completely fair when you make legal decisions, even if someone important is involved. Don't take bribes to give unfair decisions. Bribes keep people who are wise from seeing the truth and turn honest people into liars.16.18,19 turn…liars: Or “keep innocent people from getting justice”.16.19: Ex 23.6-8; Lv 19.15.

20People of Israel, if you want to enjoy a long and successful life, make sure that everyone is treated with justice in the land the LORD is giving you.

Don't set up sacred poles or stones

Moses said to Israel:

21When you build the altar for offering sacrifices to the LORD your God, don't set up a sacred pole16.21 sacred pole: See the note at 12.3. for the worship of the goddess Asherah.16.21: Ex 34.13. 22And don't set up a sacred stone! The LORD hates these things.16.22: Lv 26.1.