Convocation מִקְרָא

We are moving into chapter twenty-three of Leviticus with our word for today. מִקְרָא summons, assembly, convocation, reading, recitation. It is used 23 times in the Old Testament, 11 times in our chapter. Our word is used in the sense of summon, a call to appear in person at a given place and time. Numbers 10:2 Make two silver trumpets. Of hammered work you shall make them, and you shall use them לְמִקְרָ֣א for summoning the congregation and for breaking camp. We also see our word used in the sense of a public reading. Nehemiah 8:8 They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the בַּמִּקְרָֽא reading. Most of the uses of our word are used in the sense of assembly. We have two uses of our word without the word holy next to it. Isaiah 1:13 Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of מִקְרָ֔אconvocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Isaiah 4:5 Then the Lord will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her מִקְרָאֶ֗הָ assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy. Even both of these uses still refer to this idea of a holy assembly or holy convocation. All the other 19 uses of our word have the word holy next to our word. This is the sense of gathering together to worship God. Exodus 12:16 On the first day you shall hold a מִקְרָא־קֹ֔דֶשׁ holy assembly, and on the seventh day a מִקְרָא־קֹ֖דֶשׁ holy assembly. No work shall be done on those days. But what everyone needs to eat, that alone may be prepared by you. Numbers 28:18 On the first day there shall be a מִקְרָא־קֹ֑דֶשׁ holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work. This is how our word is used 11 times in our chapter today. Leviticus 23:1-2, 4, 7-8, 24 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the Lord that you shall proclaim as מִקְרָאֵ֣י קֹ֑דֶשׁholy convocations; they are my appointed feasts … These are the appointed feasts of the Lord, the מִקְרָא־קֹ֔דֶשׁ holy convocations, which you shall proclaim at the time appointed for them … On the first day you shall have a מִקְרָא־קֹ֖דֶשׁ holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work. But you shall present a food offering to the Lord for seven days. On the seventh day is a מִקְרָא־קֹ֔דֶשׁ holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work … you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a מִקְרָא־קֹֽדֶשׁ holy convocation. From just a few of these examples we can see that the people were to make sure to set aside time to attend these gatherings. Also that they were not to do their regular work during this time instead it was to be a time of solemn rest to remember all that God had done for them. And they were to bring offerings to the Lord. We will look more into these specific holy gatherings in the days to come. For today I’ll close with these great verses about our gatherings as God’s people today in the church. Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 13:15-17 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.