What the Bible says about National Holidays
(From Forerunner Commentary)

Zechariah 7:4-6 This actually confirms that God permits national observances. His complaint is not with the observance of the fasts per se, but with the attitude in which the Jews observed them. The Jews' attitude abused something permitted but not commanded. God expresses His disapproval of the ethical and spiritual attitudes that underlay their outward observance. He questions their sincerity and motivation during their fasts, which should have been times of prayer and repentance. They should have used the time to recall the sins that had led them into the slavery that made calling the fasts so necessary. They should have been searching for any remnant of those sins still residing in them and repenting of them. In Isaiah 58:5, God asks, "Is it a fast that I have chosen?" God is scolding the Jews in the same way. John W. Ritenbaugh Thanksgiving or Self-Indulgence? Related Topics: Attitude | Fasting | Fasting and Humility | Hypocrisy | Insincerity | National Holidays | Repentance | Repentance and Fasting | Sincerity | Spiritual Attitude

Zechariah 8:19 Is it sin for those who have made the covenant with God to celebrate a national holiday? Zechariah 8:19 gives four fasts established by the Jews, none of which has anything to do with God's plan. The fast of the fourth month (9th of Tammuz) marked when the Babylonians entered Jerusalem; that of the fifth month (9th of Ab), the destruction of the Temple; that of the seventh month (3rd of Tishri), the murder of Gedaliah, a governor of Judah; and that of the tenth month (10th of Tebeth), the beginning of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. God nowhere says that they are evil, that He hates them, or that to observe them is sin. In fact, the prophecy in which these fasts appear shows not only God's approval of keeping them, but also that He will turn them into feasts of joy rather than fasts of sorrow. One might argue, "Yes, but these fasts are solemn and serious in their purpose, and God could hardly be displeased with that." Maybe so, but is God displeased when people have fun rejoicing over His blessings? Hardly! The prophecy clearly shows He wants us to rejoice. John W. Ritenbaugh Thanksgiving or Self-Indulgence? Related Topics: National Holidays | Self-indulgence

John 10:22-23 This festival was a Jewish national festival and is not one of God's commanded festivals—under any covenant! Even in this, He set us a perfect example by showing us that it is not wrong to observe national holidays that do not do service to paganism. Earl L. Henn Was Jesus Christ Born Under the Law? Related Topics: Feast of Dedication | Hanukkah | National Holidays | Rededication of the Temple

John 10:22-23 John 10:22-23 shows Jesus walking in the Temple area in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication. Today, the Jews call this feast Hanukkah. It is the national celebration of the rededication of the Temple by the Jews at the end of the Maccabean revolt. Jesus gives no indication He was avoiding the day and its accompanying social and spiritual activities. If he had, He would have avoided the Temple. Commentators raise no questions about whether He was keeping the day; they conclude that His walking in the Temple was purposeful. John W. Ritenbaugh Thanksgiving or Self-Indulgence? Related Topics: Feast of Dedication | Hanukkah | Maccabean Revolt | National Holidays | Rededication of the Temple

 

		The Berean: Daily Verse and Comment Sign up for the Berean: Daily Verse and Comment, and have Biblical truth delivered to your inbox. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. See what over 155,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. Email Address:     A Faithful VersionKing James VersionNew International VersionNew King James Version Leave this field empty
We respect your privacy. Your email address will not be sold, distributed, rented, or in any way given out to a third party. We have nothing to sell. You may easily unsubscribe at any time.