BibleProject | One Story That Leads to Jesusਨਮੂਨਾ

The Israelites camp at the Jordan River, poised to march into and claim God’s promised land on the other side. When they settle in the land, they will need rhythms and reminders of God’s faithfulness. They have God’s name as a reminder of who he is. Now he gives them further instructions for the feast days that order their calendar. These festivals orient their lives to the story of God’s redemption.

Each time the Israelites eat unleavened bread at Passover, they will remember the night in Egypt when God rescued them from slavery. Each time the Israelites lay their grain on the altar for the Festival of Weeks, they will remember that their abundant harvests are a gift from God. Each time the Israelites hear the blast of the ram’s horn at the Festival of Trumpets, they will remember God’s voice thundering from Mount Sinai as they became covenant partners. Each time they humble themselves on the Day of Atonement, they will remember God’s gracious, ongoing forgiveness. And each time the Israelites spend a week sleeping in temporary shelters for the Festival of Booths, they will remember how God brought them safely through the wilderness to a land of abundance.

By reliving these foundational events year after year, the Israelites declare who they are and who their God is. Watch the video to learn about the name God uses when revealing himself to Israel.

Reflection Questions

• The divine name of Israel’s God refers to the one who was in the past, is in the present, and will always be in the future. Why do you think this was important for Israel to know as God announced his plan to deliver them from slavery? How does God’s name help you understand who he is today?
• God first gave Israel instructions about their sacred feast days in Leviticus 23. What new instructions did God include in Numbers 28-29? Why do you think God includes these new directions here, at the borders of the promised land?