Deuteronomy 16 COME TO THE PLACE Certain events in the course of a year need to be celebrated. There have been things that have happened in the past in nations, assemblies, families and in individuals lives that need to be reviewed because of their impact on us and on others. The nation of Israel was to remember their deliverance from bondage in Egypt annually in the month Abib. The fourteenth day of the first month on their calendar was the day of the Passover. For a week after there was to be no leaven in the bread when and after the sacrificial lamb was eaten. At the end of that week they all came together in unity. The Passover was eaten in the family setting and when they assembled together, they would celebrate the result of their deliverance with others. We remember we have been saved by God's grace and set apart to Him. When we think of past blessings, we rejoice. The gathering of the Lord's people is a time when we remember "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast." It is a sanctifying experience when we gather together in fellowship and remembrance. When we leave such a gathering, it puts all the things of life that absorb our daily attention, and that our minds have a tendency to dwell on, into proper perspective. We have remembered Him through whom all our blessings come, and are moved again to commit ourselves to holiness of life.
Blessings that abound in the present are a cause for great rejoicing. There is a strength that comes when we rejoice in the Lord together with God's people that we cannot get in any other way. When the Israelites came together there was a special feast set aside for rejoicing over the blessings God had given them. Amidst all the bad things that are happening in the world today, and the worsening conditions around the world morally, spiritually, economically and socially, we need these special times when the saints of God join their voices in praise and thanksgiving for the blessings God gives us. We should "not forsake the assembling of ourselves together" because these dark days are going to get darker as "evil men and seducers wax worse and worse." The strengthening effect on the people of God when they rejoice together is contagious and is a very important part of our lives. Many of God's people have very little to encourage and strengthen them spiritually in their home and work environment. To come together as children of God and look above the darkness to the Light of Life, and see the glory before us, strengthens our faith in the present.
The hope that we have in the future also is nurtured when we meet together in the place where the Lord has placed His name. The Lord's Supper is a reminder of the past when our Lord Jesus Christ fully satisfied God's just claims against us who had sinned against Him, by His sinless Person being sacrificed for us. The blessings of the present help us to keep a proper perspective on our daily living. We also are caused to respond with renewed vigor and commitment as we think of the future and His word, "ye do show the Lord's death till He come." It is not that we are keeping Jewish feasts that have long since passed their purpose, but when we meet as a New Testament church, we can see the reasons for the gatherings of God's people at the place of His choosing.
We can learn from the practices of those ancient people the value of bringing our offerings to God. Instead of having our pet projects that we think are more important than what God's people have as a company of saints, we are instructed to give our offerings in "the place." Our families that attend with us may only be looking on as observers, but they learn by what they see. For children to watch the reverently bowed heads of their parents and other believers in united prayer gives a sense of the awesomeness of our God that is not experienced in the times of prayer at home. There is an intimacy in the home setting, and there is an awe that comes over God's people as a large company is bowed before Him. The reading and teaching from the scriptures is quite different when the Word of God is opened in public. At home it has a quieting effect and is a companionable activity we share as each person reads a few verses and learns some practical lessons for the day. In public reading and teaching, one person at a time speaks God's truths that affect the lives of all those in attendance, and through them, communities and nations.
The public gathering of God's people provides a venue for giving our gifts to God in a way that can join our portion with that others give to meet some major need. In the place of gathering where we bring what we are able to give, our children who look on will hopefully understand that we all have an obligation and privilege to give back to God from the abundance of all He has given us. By observing our prayers, praise, teaching and financial responsibility to God and His work, they are in a position to learn that which will prepare them for adulthood and Christian service.
Among God's people, godly and just leaders are to take responsibility for maintaining order and caring for the people of the assembly. Those who lead must be able to make wise decisions after joint considerations and discussion among themselves. To come to a perfect consensus does not always happen, but in the course of decision-making, each can listen to, and evaluate the position of others, and adapt his own position as closely as possible to that of other leaders. In that way the affairs of the people can be fairly addressed and just decisions made. If one will not take counsel from others but insists that others acquiesce to his opinion, there will be serious trouble develop. For leaders to compromise truth for the sake of consensus is not right. But to insist that all must bow to my opinion would not be right either. We must let godliness, justice and joy prevail in the place where we meet together with our Lord and His people.