THE BENEFITS OF ATTENDING THE “FAMILY BIBLE CAMP”

Dear Members in Christ,                                                                                                                   

The benefits of attending the “Family Bible Camp”   

When God called His people out of Egypt, God commanded that they sojourn to their land of promise. Their illustrious journey was recorded in the Books of the Bible, namely Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. God gave His people, the Israelites, the law and ordinances relating to the worship. Amongst all the laws, the people were instructed that when they had arrived at the promised land, they are to observe three assemblies each year. 

“Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.” Deuteronomy 16:16, 17

One of these three gatherings is called the Feast of the Tabernacles. Another name for this festival is the “Feast of Booths.” The Hebrew word translated in KJV as “booth” is Sukkot which means a tent, or a tabernacle. This is a reference to the dwellings of nomadic people who travel in the wilderness. God wanted His people to remember their humble origins, and that God had graciously delivered them from the oppression of their slave masters in Egypt. How apt it is to remember the grace of God upon His people. Should we not also remember God’s grace upon us?  

Yes certainly! We have this opportunity at our annual church Family Bible Camp. This year, we had a gathering at Ipoh, a duration of five days where we feasted upon the word of God, and enjoyed sweet fellowship uninterrupted by earthly distractions and the toil of our daily lives. A wonderful time of meditation upon the scriptures, and encouraging and edifying one another. Now, do we see any parallel between the annual Family Bible Camp and the assembly of God’s people in times of old?

The biblical purpose of the Feast of Tabernacles

The Old Testament scriptures declare to the people of Israel the purpose of the feast of Tabernacles. The instruction that God gave them was to dwell in booths (tents or temporary shelters) for seven days.

“Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 23:42, 43

The purpose is that the people may know the grace of God in the deliverance of Israel from the land of oppression. In addition, the people are to also remember their covenantal relationship with God. Therefore, the verse Leviticus 23:43 ends with a reminder “I am the LORD your God.” There are great blessings in gratefully remembering God’s mercy and providential care over us. This year, we meditated upon the life of Isaac, and we drew many lessons of God’s grace upon Isaac and his parents Abraham and Sarah. There are important lessons that we can apply to our spiritual lives.

Brothers and sisters, let us make it a point to attend the next Family Bible Camp. Many spiritual blessings await us at camp time. Mark your calendars, plan your leave if you can – do not miss out on next year’s camp!

Camp time – a time of feasting, rejoicing, and fellowship with the saints

Firstly, the scriptures spell out the method of construction of these booths. They are to be made of palm fronds. Tradition has it that the palm fronds are deliberately laid with gaps so that the occupants may look up into the night sky and see the expanse of the skies.  

“And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.” Leviticus 23:40, 41

In these sparse surroundings, the Israelites rejoice before God, they keep a feast, enjoying good fellowship amongst the people of God in remembering God’s goodness in leading them out of slavery into the promised land.

At family camp, we also enjoy a similar rejoicing and the spiritual blessing of edifying and strengthening one another. This year, we hear testimonies from campers of their blessings from their days at Family Bible Camp. Some share about the lessons that they have learned from the camp messages. Others share that they benefitted from the discussion groups where the members openly speak of God’s grace and help in overcoming the challenges in their lives. Undoubtedly, many will carry these lessons and sharing to help in their personal spiritual growth.

Dearly beloved, do not miss out on the opportunity to enjoy the blessing of gathering and feasting, and fellowship at the next camp. Make a prayer and commitment, and we shall rejoice together at our next camp. May God be praised! Amen.

In His Service, 
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor