Although there are examples of private celebrations in Scripture, most celebration is associated with the acts of God. The enemies of God's people also celebrate, but in the end it is the triumph of God's purpose that is celebrated.
Celebrations in everyday life
Wedding: Judges 14:10; Matthew 22:2–3; Matthew 14:6 parallel Mark 6:21–22 birthday; Luke 5:29 for an honoured guest; Luke 15:22–24 family reunion
The Israelites celebrated God's acts
Celebrating God's gifts of harvest: Pentecost and Tabernacles
Exodus 23:16, Exodus 34:22; Leviticus 23:15–21, Leviticus 23:33–36, Leviticus 23:39–43; Numbers 28:26, Numbers 29:12; Deuteronomy 16:9–10
Celebrating their deliverance from slavery in Egypt: Passover
Exodus 13:3 See also Exodus 12:14, Exodus 23:15, Exodus 34:18; Numbers 9:2; Deuteronomy 16:1
So Moses told the people, “Remember this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; for the LORD brought you out of it by the strength of His hand. And nothing leavened shall be eaten.
Celebrating the deliverance of the nation through Esther: Purim
Religious celebrations
The bringing of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem
2 Samuel 6:12–15 parallel 1 Chronicles 15:27–28
Now it was reported to King David, “The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and had the ark of God brought up from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David with rejoicing. When those carrying the ark of the LORD had advanced six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf. And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD, while he and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sounding of the ram’s horn.
The bringing of the ark of the covenant to the temple
See also 1 Kings 8:3–6 parallel 2 Chronicles 5:4–6; 2 Chronicles 5:12–13
The completion and dedication of the first temple
1 Kings 8:63, 1 Kings 8:65–66 parallel 2 Chronicles 7:8–10
The dedication of the second temple
The reading of the law after the building of the walls of Jersualem
Christians celebrate the death of Christ and his return
The enemies of God's people celebrate
Judges 16:23 capture of Samson; Daniel 5:1 Belshazzar's feast; Revelation 11:3, Revelation 11:7–10
Celebration in heaven
Creation
The repentance of sinners
Divine deliverance through Jesus Christ
The downfall of evil
The final triumph of Jesus Christ
Revelation 19:9 See also Revelation 11:16–18, Revelation 15:2–4
Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.