Who should be included in our celebrations according to Deuteronomy 16:11? Celebration According to Deuteronomy 16:11 “Rejoice before the LORD your God in the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name — you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, the Levite within your gates, and the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow among you.” Who God Wants at the Feast • You (the head of the household) • Your sons and daughters • Your male and female servants • The Levite within your gates • The foreigner (sojourner) living among you • The fatherless (orphans) • The widow Why Each Group Matters • Personal family — joy begins at home; worship is a family affair (Joshua 24:15). • Servants — those who work for you share in your blessing; God values their dignity (Ephesians 6:9). • Levites — spiritual leaders without land inheritance need community support (Numbers 18:21). • Foreigners — outsiders experience God’s welcome through God’s people (Leviticus 19:34). • Fatherless & widows — the vulnerable are placed at the center of rejoicing, reflecting God’s heart (James 1:27). Other Scriptures Echoing This Invitation • Exodus 12:49 – one statute for native and foreigner. • Psalm 68:5 – “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows.” • Luke 14:12-14 – invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind. • Acts 2:46-47 – believers broke bread together “with glad and sincere hearts.” Living the Principle Today • Celebrate milestones and holy days with an open table policy—include those outside your immediate circle. • Budget for hospitality so financial limits never exclude the needy. • Partner with local ministries to invite widows, single parents, or refugees to church gatherings and family events. • Teach children to see celebration as shared joy, not private luxury. God’s feast overflows; our guest lists should look the same. |
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