Topical Bible: Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Day of Gladness

◄ Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Day of Gladness ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The "Day of Gladness" is a term that encapsulates moments of celebration and joy as depicted in the Holy Scriptures. While the Bible does not explicitly mention a specific "Day of Gladness," the concept is woven throughout the biblical narrative, reflecting times when God's people experienced profound joy and thanksgiving.

Biblical Context

In the Old Testament, days of gladness often coincide with feasts and celebrations ordained by God. These occasions were marked by communal worship, sacrifices, and expressions of gratitude for God's provision and deliverance. For instance, the Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, was a time of great rejoicing as the Israelites commemorated their deliverance from Egypt and God's provision during their wilderness journey (Leviticus 23:33-43).

The Psalms frequently echo the theme of gladness, emphasizing the joy found in God's presence and salvation. Psalm 118:24 declares, "This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." This verse captures the essence of a day of gladness, encouraging believers to recognize and celebrate God's sovereignty and goodness.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, the concept of gladness is often associated with the coming of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God. The birth of Christ was heralded by the angels as "good news of great joy" (Luke 2:10), signifying a new era of divine grace and redemption.

The early church also experienced days of gladness, particularly in the context of fellowship and the breaking of bread. Acts 2:46 describes the early believers as "continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart." This passage highlights the joy and unity that characterized the early Christian community.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, days of gladness are not merely about temporal happiness but are deeply rooted in the joy of the Lord, which is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). This joy transcends circumstances and is anchored in the believer's relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

The anticipation of the ultimate day of gladness is also a significant theme in Christian eschatology. Revelation 19:7 speaks of the marriage supper of the Lamb, a future celebration where the redeemed will rejoice in the presence of God: "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory! For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready."

Practical Application

For believers today, a day of gladness can be any day set apart to celebrate God's goodness, grace, and faithfulness. It is an opportunity to gather with fellow believers, worship, and reflect on the blessings received through Christ. Such days serve as a reminder of the joy that is found in the Lord and the hope of eternal gladness in His presence.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 10:10
Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Secret of Gladness
... husband, and there to spend seven days in festivity and rejoicing ... The time of mourning
for an absent Christ was only ... which is true for us here to-day, may be a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the secret of gladness.htm

Praise be to Him who Sent Him!
... thy festivals,"the Watchers rejoice amid thy festivity!"for one ... been purged to
hear!"On His day watch thou ... is hard to comprehend, that before Time He is ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xviii praise be to.htm

Omar and the Sacred vine
... but he would not jump off the Monument all day long to ... It is easy to deny one's self
festivity; it is ... poignancy all the dark and drifting hedonism of our time. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/vii omar and the sacred.htm

The Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee - the Miracle that is a Sign ...
... At the same time it must be borne in mind ... much higher thoughts than merely those
of festivity and merriment. ... the bridal pair on the marriage-day symbolised the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the marriage feast.htm

Acts i. 1, 2
... neither did He immediately send the Spirit, but on the fiftieth day. ... in respect of
this season of the fifty days, the time of the Church's great festivity. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily i acts i 1.htm

Thoughts for the Clergy on the Amusement Question.
... is at the hilarious merry-making of the marriage, contributing to the festivity. ...
They are for all time. ... over which the church is mourning to-day, is simply ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/thoughts for the clergy on.htm

On the Baptism of Christ.
... of business we speak seriously, at times of festivity we relax ... For from the time
when the three rods were laid by ... for the holy subject of the day, which the ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the baptism of christ.htm

From the Latin Translation of Cassiodorus.
... backward; so also the soul, which at one time is laughing ... the third day, which fell
on the first day of the ... And what greater joy and feast and festivity can be ...
/.../who is the rich man that shall be saved/i from the latin translation of.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... Socrates, for example, called himself the midwife of men's thoughts ... in love and
reverence to the hero of that time. ... There had been a day when Philistia and Edom ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm