INGATHERING

 

Write From My Heart

October 3, 2021

Introductory note:

              I have mentioned before that I have many friends who follow the Old Testament to the exclusion of the New Testament, and just as many who follow the New Testament to the exclusion of the Old Testament. I am definitely a “Both Testaments-Whole Bible” Christian as I so often see information from one testament that is supported in the other testament. Clearly the Bible is meant to be viewed in its entirety, being whole and complete in its message.

              The second thing I notice is how easy it is to skim over Old Testament passages because so many of those cultural traditions are no longer “the norm” for us today. With the death and resurrection of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, we are now under a new covenant with God. The covenants of the Old Testament have been replaced by salvation through Christ our Lord. What was once only available to a select group of chosen people is now available to any who would call upon the name of the Lord.

              For the next few days, I would like to note some observations that I believe are still applicable to the modern day Christian. Once again, what is found in the Old Testament sets the foundation for what we find in the New Testament.

INGATHERING  to pick up or amass as if by harvesting

Exodus 23:14-15, 19 (NIV) Three times a year you are to celebrate a festival to me. Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Abib [i.e., March/April], for in that month you came out of Egypt. No one is to appear before me empty-handed.

            Celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field.

            Celebrate the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.  Three times a year all the men are to appear before the Sovereign LORD. … Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God.

 

            The Feast of Ingathering is the one I know the least about. I do recognize two things, simply that it is a gathering of all that we have or have done, and that we are to bring our best to the LORD. During early Bible times, the Ingathering was typically done at the end of the harvesting season and it was time to clean all the remaining produce from the fields. It causes me to wonder if I am using all my talents and abilities or if I am leaving something behind unused. It also makes me wonder if I am truly giving my best to the LORD in all that I am and in all that I do. I’m sure other Bible scholars could take these verses and produce a more meaningful sermon on them—but for me, and for this moment in time—even the most rudimentary explanations give me quite a bit of information to digest. Are you using all your talents and abilities for the LORD? Are you giving him the very best of all you are and all you do? Perhaps this is the best place and time to begin.