Deuteronomy 16:9-17

You shall count seven weeks; begin to count the seven weeks from the time the sickle is first put to the standing grain.¹ Then you shall keep the festival of weeks to the Lord your God, contributing a freewill-offering in proportion to the blessing² that you have received from theLord your God. Rejoice³ before the Lord your God—you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female slaves, the Levites resident in your towns, as well as the strangers, the orphans, and the widows who are among you⁴—at the place that the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his name.⁵ Remember that you were a slave in Egypt,⁶ and diligently observe these statutes.

You shall keep the festival of booths⁷ for seven days, when you have gathered in the produce from your threshing-floor and your wine press.⁸ Rejoice⁹ during your festival, you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female slaves, as well as the Levites, the strangers, the orphans, and the widows resident in your towns.¹⁰ For seven days you shall keep the festival to the Lord your God at the place that the Lord will choose; for the Lord your God will bless you¹¹ in all your produce and in all your undertakings, and you shall surely celebrate.

Three times a year all your males¹² shall appear before the Lord your God at the place that he will choose: at the festival of unleavened bread, at the festival of weeks, and at the festival of booths. They shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed; all shall give as they are able,¹³ according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.¹⁴

1 This one is more clearly (than Passover) and agricultural festival.

2 “in proportion to the blessing” - did the Jews take that as a formula or were they free to give whatever they thought appropriate?

3 Again rejoicing is a central part of the festival.

4 Slaves, Levites, strangers, orphans, widows – the least and the most vulnerable are all included in the celebration

5 Temple worship and exclusivity of God are again alluded to.

6 Once again the Israelites are called to remember their own slavery. It is unclear whether this instance is directed towards thanks towards God or compassion towards others who are oppressed.

7 The use of booths in the flight from Egypt is not mentioned here as it is in Leviticus 23

8 Another agricultural festival, this one tied to olives and grapes.

9 Again it says “rejoice”!

10 Yet again the least are specifically emphasized, and the communal nature of celebration is central.

11 God will bless you. This provides both the occasion for the celebration and hope within the celebration.

12 Only males appear to be able to use the holy place for these things.

13 Everyone must give to God.

14 Because everyone has been blessed by God.

Take-home: A festival of thanksgiving for God's provision is tied to the harvest and extended to all members of society.