Deuteronomy 16:10
And you shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God with a freewill offering that you give in proportion to how the LORD your God has blessed you,
And you shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks
The Feast of Weeks, also known as Shavuot or Pentecost, occurs seven weeks after the beginning of the grain harvest. It is a time of thanksgiving for the harvest and is one of the three pilgrimage festivals where Israelites were required to appear before the LORD in Jerusalem. This feast is significant in the New Testament as the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles (Acts 2:1-4), marking the birth of the Church.

to the LORD your God
This phrase emphasizes the theocentric nature of the festival. The celebration is directed towards God, acknowledging His provision and sovereignty. It reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God is recognized as the ultimate source of all blessings.

with a freewill offering
A freewill offering is a voluntary gift given out of gratitude rather than obligation. This offering reflects the heart of the giver and is a personal expression of thankfulness to God. It contrasts with mandatory tithes and sacrifices, highlighting the importance of willing and joyful giving.

that you give in proportion
This indicates that the offering should be reflective of the individual's capacity and blessings received. It underscores the principle of proportional giving, which is echoed in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 9:7), where believers are encouraged to give according to what they have decided in their hearts.

to how the LORD your God has blessed you
This phrase acknowledges that all blessings come from God. It encourages reflection on God's provision and generosity, prompting a response of gratitude. It also serves as a reminder of the dependence on God for sustenance and prosperity, reinforcing the idea that giving is an act of worship and recognition of God's faithfulness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who commands the observance of the Feast of Weeks.

2. Israelites
The people of God who are instructed to celebrate the Feast of Weeks.

3. Feast of Weeks (Shavuot)
A significant Jewish festival occurring seven weeks after Passover, celebrating the wheat harvest and the giving of the Torah at Sinai.

4. Freewill Offering
A voluntary gift given to God, reflecting the individual's gratitude and recognition of God's blessings.

5. The Promised Land
The land given to the Israelites, where they are to observe this feast as a sign of God's provision and faithfulness.
Teaching Points
Gratitude and Generosity
The Feast of Weeks teaches us to express gratitude for God's blessings through generous giving. Our offerings should reflect the abundance we have received.

Recognition of God's Provision
This feast is a reminder to acknowledge God's provision in our lives. We are called to remember that all we have comes from Him.

Spiritual Harvest
Just as the Israelites celebrated the physical harvest, we are encouraged to consider the spiritual harvest in our lives and communities, seeking to bear fruit for God's kingdom.

Voluntary Worship
The concept of a freewill offering highlights the importance of voluntary worship and giving, which should stem from a heart of love and devotion to God.

Community Celebration
The Feast of Weeks was a communal event, reminding us of the importance of gathering together to celebrate God's goodness and faithfulness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of a freewill offering in Deuteronomy 16:10 challenge our current approach to giving and generosity?

2. In what ways can we celebrate and acknowledge God's provision in our lives today, similar to the Feast of Weeks?

3. How does the connection between the Feast of Weeks and Pentecost in Acts 2 enhance our understanding of God's plan for His people?

4. What are some practical ways we can cultivate a heart of gratitude and generosity in our daily lives?

5. How can we, as a community of believers, create opportunities to celebrate God's blessings and faithfulness together?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 23:16
This verse also mentions the Feast of Weeks, highlighting its importance as a harvest festival and a time of thanksgiving.

Leviticus 23:15-21
Provides detailed instructions on how to observe the Feast of Weeks, emphasizing the offering of firstfruits.

Acts 2:1-4
Describes the day of Pentecost, which coincides with the Feast of Weeks, marking the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the early church.

2 Corinthians 9:7
Encourages believers to give cheerfully and willingly, echoing the principle of a freewill offering.

James 1:17
Reminds us that every good and perfect gift is from above, reinforcing the idea of recognizing God's blessings.
Harvest Home a National FestivalHomilistDeuteronomy 16:9-12
Pentecost, the Feast of FirstfruitsR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 16:9-12
Thanksgiving DayF. W. P. Greenwood, D. D.Deuteronomy 16:9-12
The Feast of PentecostH. Simon, Ph. D.Deuteronomy 16:9-12
PentecostJ. Orr Deuteronomy 16:9-13
The Feasts of Weeks and of TabernaclesD. Davies Deuteronomy 16:9-17
People
Levites, Moses
Places
Beth-baal-peor, Egypt
Topics
Bless, Blessed, Blesses, Blesseth, Blessings, Celebrate, Feast, Freely, Freewill, Free-will, Freewill-offering, Free-will-offering, Giving, Hast, Hold, Measure, Offering, Proportion, Tribute, Voluntary-offering, Wealth, Weeks
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 16:10

     4406   agriculture
     7361   Feast of Weeks
     8488   tithing

Deuteronomy 16:9-10

     4428   corn
     4510   sowing and reaping
     7408   Pentecost
     8642   celebration

Deuteronomy 16:9-12

     7366   freewill offering
     8764   forgetting God

Deuteronomy 16:9-17

     8315   orthodoxy, in OT
     8644   commemoration

Library
The Age of the Apostles (Ad 33-100)
The beginning of the Christian Church is reckoned from the great day on which the Holy Ghost came down, according as our Lord had promised to His Apostles. At that time, "Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven," were gathered together at Jerusalem, to keep the Feast of Pentecost (or Feast of Weeks), which was one of the three holy seasons at which God required His people to appear before Him in the place which He had chosen (Deuteronomy xvi. 16). Many of these devout men there converted
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

Whether Six Daughters are Fittingly Assigned to Gluttony?
Objection 1: It would seem that six daughters are unfittingly assigned to gluttony, to wit, "unseemly joy, scurrility, uncleanness, loquaciousness, and dullness of mind as regards the understanding." For unseemly joy results from every sin, according to Prov. 2:14, "Who are glad when they have done evil, and rejoice in most wicked things." Likewise dullness of mind is associated with every sin, according to Prov. 14:22, "They err that work evil." Therefore they are unfittingly reckoned to be daughters
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Pride Should be Reckoned a Capital vice?
Objection 1: It would seem that pride should be reckoned a capital vice, since Isidore [*Comment. in Deut. xvi] and Cassian [*De Inst. Caenob. v, 1: Collat. v, 2] number pride among the capital vices. Objection 2: Further, pride is apparently the same as vainglory, since both covet excellence. Now vainglory is reckoned a capital vice. Therefore pride also should be reckoned a capital vice. Objection 3: Further, Augustine says (De Virginit. xxxi) that "pride begets envy, nor is it ever without this
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Passing and the Permanent
'For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.'--ISAIAH liv, 10.-- There is something of music in the very sound of these words. The stately march of the grand English translation lends itself with wonderful beauty to the melody of Isaiah's words. But the thought that lies below them, sweeping as it does through the whole creation, and parting all things
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
BY A.E. GRIMKE. "Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not within thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place: but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this. And Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer:--and so will I go in unto the king,
Angelina Emily Grimke—An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
Presented to the World in a Familiar Dialogue Between Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Attentive. By John Bunyan ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The life of Badman is a very interesting description, a true and lively portraiture, of the demoralized classes of the trading community in the reign of King Charles II; a subject which naturally led the author to use expressions familiar among such persons, but which are now either obsolete or considered as vulgar. In fact it is the only work proceeding from the prolific
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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