PERIODS OF SABBATH AND SACRED FEAST DAYS (23:10-19):
The Hebrews were to plant and harvest their fields, olive groves, and vineyards for 6 years, but on the 7th year they were to let them rest.
Likewise, they were to work 6 days of the week and rest on the 7th.
They were not to worship any foreign gods.
Three special feast days were to be held every year: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Harvest (beginning of harvest), and the Feast of Ingathering (end of harvest).
All the men of Israel were required to “appear before the Lord God” on these days and offer sacrifices (Deu 16:16).
GOD PROMISES TO GUIDE ISRAEL AND GIVE THEM THE PROMISED LAND (23:20-33):
God was going to send an angel (a messenger) ahead of the Israelites to guard them and lead them to Canaan. They were to obey everything he told them to do.
When they arrived in Canaan, God promised to gradually cast out the pagan inhabitants of the land.
If Israel would faithfully obey God’s voice, He would be their strength, defeat their enemies, give them abundant food, take sickness away from them, and cure their barren women.
The Israelites were not to assimilate with the Canaanites or worship their gods, lest they become a “snare.”
