Daily Bible Reading – October 2022: God’s Renewing Word of Peace and JusticeMinta

October 24

Introduction

Today’s reading highlights three major religious festivals in Israel’s calendar, including descriptions of how these festivals were to be celebrated. Passover took place in the spring; the Harvest Festival occurred seven weeks later to mark the completion of the grain harvest, and the Festival of Shelters took place in the fall after the olive and grape harvests. The chapter concludes with a description of the appointment of public officials who are to bear responsibility for the order and quality of life of the community.

Scripture Reading

Deuteronomy 16:1-22

Today’s Key Verse: Deuteronomy 16:15b

Be joyful, because the LORD has blessed your harvest and your work.

Reflect

How are each of these three festivals to be celebrated? What is significant about each one? How is God to be honored and thanked? What festivals are celebrated within your community of faith? What instructions are outlined for those who bear the responsibility to administer justice? Are such instructions relevant for today? Why or why not?

Pray

Lord God, I thank and praise you for your many blessings. With joy in my heart, I worship you. May all I do this day bring honor and glory to you. Amen.

And now, join us in thanking God that Bibles are changing the lives of hurting people in Uruguay. Gracious God, the pandemic brought great trauma and pain to many families in Uruguay, pushing nearly 100,000 people below the poverty line and making it difficult for them to afford a Bible. But thank you, God, that the American Bible Society was able to provide struggling families with comfort from the Scriptures because of the “1 Million Bibles for Latin America” project. We pray that your Word will continue to bring the people of Uruguay the hope that comes from the Scriptures. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Deuteronomy 17:1-20: Moses continues to give the people instructions for the administration of justice.