LUKE 15:27 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet…Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again: he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. [New International translation]
Daniel 5:1; 5:30 Belshazzar the king invited a thousand of his officers to a great feast where the wine flowed freely…..That very night Belshazzar, the Chaldean king, was killed. [Living Bible translation]
Summary
There are a number of wonderful scriptures in the bible about celebrations. There is the parable about the lost son (Luke 15:11-31) who finds his way back home and the celebration that occurred when he returned to GOD and his family. There is another parable, also in Luke 15, about the lost sheep, and the celebration that occurred in the neighborhood when that one lost sheep was found. (Luke 15:3-6)
There is the celebration that occurred in the story in 2 Samuel 6:12, when David returned the Ark of the LORD to Jerusalem and with great celebration David danced before the LORD.
There is the celebration that occurred when Solomon completed the construction of the temple and offered 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep as a burnt offering.
Exodus 34:22 mentions a number of religious celebrations: the feast of weeks; the first fruit of wheat harvest, the feast of the ingatherings at the year’s end, celebrating how GOD blesses His people.
All of these celebrations remember and point to the GOODNESS, MERCY, GRACE of GOD
But, there are also some celebrations in the bible that ended “badly.” One of those celebrations is mentioned in book of Daniel.
According to Daniel, King Belshazzar had a celebration for himself and invited thousands. Perhaps he drank too much or wanted to show off or prove that he was as great as his father Nebuchadnezzar, but the celebration took a “wrong turn.” Remembering all the gold and silver that had been removed from the temple by his father, King Belshazzar ordered that all of those sacred cups and vessels be brought to him so that his guests, his princes, his wives and his concubines could use them to toast their idols gods. What occurred next was sobering. As they were drinking, suddenly the finger of a man’s hand appeared and began to write on the wall of the king’s palace. According to scripture, the king grew more and more hysterical (see Living Bible translation Daniel 5:9). Eventually, Daniel was called and interpreted the handwriting on the wall. Daniel said GOD had passed judgment and that very night the king died. In summary, it was a celebration that ended in a way the king never expected.
Celebrate Safely
July 4th is known for being a day of celebration. Some celebrate just having the day “off” from work. Some celebrate getting together with family and friends. Many people will travel. Many people will prepare “4th of July” foods to eat. Some will attend outdoor concerts or city organized fireworks displays. In “4th of July: Holiday or hazard?” Jeremy Samuel Faust, MD, MS, recommends exercising good judgment and being safe on “Independence” holidays.
Barbeque Safety
Because barbecues are a 4th of July tradition, Faust notes that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has an entire page devoted to barbeque food safety. The CDC’s food safety tips include the following:
- Separate (to prevent cross-contamination) and keep meat, poultry and seafood refrigerated until ready to grill. When transporting, keep items in an insulated cooler.
- Use a moist cloth or paper towel to clean the grill surface before grilling. If you use a wire brush, inspect the grill surface before cooking. Wire bristles from grill cleaning brushes may dislodge and stick into food on the grill. [These detached bristles can be swallowed and cause internal injury and damage to an unaware eater.]
- Throw out marinades and sauces that have touched raw meat juices, which can spread germs to cooked foods.
- Wash your hands before and after handling raw meat, poultry and seafood. Wash work surfaces, utensils and the grill before and after cooking.
See: https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/bbq-iq.html. Of course, eating raw may avoid many of these food problems.
Firework Safety
Faust also recommends using extra caution around fireworks, since they are a significant source of injury around the 4th of July. He notes that “over a quarter of the fires started by fireworks for
the entire year occur on Independence Day.” In communities where fires are already raging, this is especially hazardous and can lead to loss of homes, property and lives. Illegal fireworks and hand-held sparklers are common causes of emergency room visits. Fireworks can cause burns, hands and finger injuries as well as face, eye and ear injuries.
See, “4th of July: Holiday or hazard?” by Jeremy Samuel Faust, MD, MS, July 2, 2018, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/4th-of-july-holiday-or-hazard-2018070214166.
One Nation Under GOD
The 13 colonies claimed their independence from British rule, resulting in the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the formation of the United States. In 1954, at the urging of the president, Congress added: “one nation under GOD.”
As with all celebrations, let’s never forget about GOD. Let’s always give GOD thanks! Let’s also continue to strive to be GOD’s people, proclaiming “liberty and justice for all.”
Have a safe, GODly and Happy 4th of July and BE BLESSED.
