The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 286

3. There wore wonderful worl~s attending both the Pentecosts: the fearful thunder ings and lightnings at Sinai, and the rushing mighty wind ancl fire in the upper room at Jerusalem; the sound of the trumpet at Sinai, the sound of the gospel in many languages at Jerusalem. 4. There were important effects following both Pentecosts: thus the fear of the Israelites at Sinai, and the conviction of sin at Jerusalem; the separation and cere- monial at Sinai, Moses being constituted mediator, and the fellowship resulting at Jerusalem, when the three thousand were added unto the Church. III. SYSTEMATIO DENEFICENOE WAS FOSTERED BY THE FESTIVAL. In giving to God "according as the Lord thy God bath blessed thee," servants, Levites, strangers, and the widow and fatherless are sure to be considered. This was the case too after Pentecost. The Christian commune was tried, which was a mighty though unsuc- cessful effort of beneficence. This law of beneficence must be obeyed by all Christian men.-R. M. E. Vers. 13-17.-The Feast of Tabernacles-life a tented state. This was the third great festival, and it was after all the harvest and vintage had been gathered home. It was celebrated in the seventh month, from the fifteenth day to the twenty-second. It is also noticeable that it began five days after the great Day of Atonement, which was on the tenth day of this same seventh month. Sin pardoned, and the harvest saved, these were surely twin blessings at which poor sinners might well rejoice. l. THE FESTIVAL WAS TO REMIND THE ISRAELITES OF THE PILGRIMAGE IN THE WILDERNESS. Their settling in Canaan was not to blot out the memory of their previous pilgrimage, and how they dwelt with God in tents. The same danger threatens God's children still. This world gets so settled and home-like that we forget the pilgrimage which life is meant by God to be. We need the exhortation of Peter, " Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" (1 Pet. ii. 11). II. THE FESTIVAL WAS TO BE A JOYOUS ONE. It would be joyous on three accounts: (1) because of the ingathered harvest; (2) because of the complete atonement so recently past; (3) because of the time of year, the glorious October of Palestine. Hence the festival would be virtually a tenting out in the pleasantest time of the year, with minds delivered from all anxiety and fear. And this is to indicate the high-water mark of Christian experience. We are living below our privileges if we are not rejoiciug in God's providential goodness, and in his atoning grace, and in his beautiful world. "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice" (Phil. iv. 4). III. THE FESTIVAL FOSTERED HOPE. For if life as it now is should be regarded as a pilgrimage, an unsettled state, then each time we are reminded of this we learn to look for a better condition and more permanent abode. If I am reminded that I dwell in a tent of flesh, easily taken down, I learn to hope for the building of God, the "house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Cor. v. 1). " A while on earth we roam In these frail houses which are not our home, Journeying towards a refuge that ill sure,- A rest secure. • "For in• our Father's. house • • A mansion fair he has prepared for us ; And only till his voice shall call us henoe We dwell in tents." IV. THE FESTIVAL FOSTERED FORETHOUGHT AND THRIFT. It had all the wholesome effect on them which an annnal picnic has upon working people. They look forward to it and make preparation for it, Now, these festivals at the centre of the national worship were to be joyful and liberal times. They were not to appear empty-handed before the Lord. They were to be able to give at his altar and be hospitable as they had opportunity. Hence the festival cultivated thrifty habits in order to be open- handed when the glad day came. So should religion make us all 1-R. M. E.  'l'lrn nooK OF DEU1'EhONO!IIY. ten. x.vt. 1-22,