² Thousands of years ago, God’s people also held holy conventions. We will review some Scriptural precedents for modern-day conventions, note similarities between ancient and modern features of such gatherings, and focus on benefits received from attending them.​—Ps. 44:1; Rom. 15:4.

LANDMARK CONVENTIONS, ANCIENT AND MODERN

3. (a) What characterized the first convention of Jehovah’s people that we have on record? (b) How were the Israelites called to assemble together?

³ The assembly at the base of Mount Sinai was the first large gathering of God’s people for spiritual instruction on record. It truly was a landmark event in the history of pure worship. On that thrilling occasion, which participants no doubt never forgot, Jehovah gave the Israelites a demonstration of his power when he gave them his Law. (Ex. 19:2-9, 16-19; read Exodus 20:18; Deuteronomy 4:9, 10.) That event was key to God’s subsequent dealings with Israel. Not long thereafter, Jehovah established a means by which to summon his people. He ordered Moses to make two silver trumpets that would be used to call “the whole assembly” to meet “at the entrance of the tent of meeting.” (Num. 10:1-4) Try to imagine the excitement on such occasions!

4, 5. Why were conventions that were held by Moses and Joshua particularly significant?

⁴ Toward the end of Israel’s 40-year sojourn in the wilderness, at a critical moment in that relatively new nation’s history, Moses assembled his fellow Israelites. They were poised to enter the Promised Land. This was the right time for Moses to remind his brothers of all that Jehovah had done for them and all that he would still do for them.​—Deut. 29:1-15; 30:15-20; 31:30.

⁵ Perhaps at that same convention, Moses referred to the regular provision for the assembly and education of God’s people. In Sabbath years during the Festival of Booths, the men, women, children, and alien residents of Israel were to congregate in the place Jehovah chose ‘in order for them to listen and in order for them to learn to fear Jehovah and take care to carry out all the words of the law.’ (Read Deuteronomy 31:1, 10-12.) So at this early stage in the history of God’s people, it was clear that they were to gather frequently to consider Jehovah’s word and purposes. When the Israelites had completed the conquest of the Promised Land but were still surrounded by pagan nations, Joshua assembled all Israel with the aim of fortifying their resolve to remain loyal to Jehovah. In response, the people made an oath to serve God.​—Josh. 23:1, 2; 24:1, 15, 21-24.

REGULAR OCCASIONS FOR REJOICING

11. What arrangement for regular seasonal festivals did God institute in ancient Israel?

¹¹ Jehovah required that the Israelites assemble in Jerusalem for three seasonal festivals each year​—the Festival of Unfermented Cakes, the Festival of Weeks (later called Pentecost), and the Festival of Booths. Concerning these, God commanded: “On three occasions in the year every male of yours will appear before the face of the true Lord, Jehovah.” (Ex. 23:14-17) Recognizing the great spiritual value of these festivals, many family heads attended with their entire family.​—1 Sam. 1:1-7; Luke 2:41, 42.

12, 13. Attendance at the annual festivals meant what for many Israelites?

¹² Think about what it meant for an Israelite family to make that journey. Joseph and Mary, for example, would travel about 60 miles (100 km) one way from Nazareth to Jerusalem. How long do you think it would take you to complete such a trip, walking with small children? The account of Jesus’ visit to Jerusalem as a boy reveals that relatives and acquaintances might make such trips as a group. It must have been quite an experience for them to travel and prepare meals together and to organize suitable sleeping arrangements in unfamiliar locations. Yet, conditions were safe enough for a 12-year-old like Jesus to be allowed a certain amount of freedom. Think how unforgettable that would have been, especially for the youngsters!​—Luke 2:44-46.

¹³ When the Israelites were widely dispersed outside the borders of their homeland, those attending the festivals came from many nations. At Pentecost of the year 33 C.E., appreciative Jews and proselytes traveled to Jerusalem from such places as Italy, Libya, Crete, Asia Minor, and Mesopotamia.​—Acts 2:5-11; 20:16.

14. How did the Israelites benefit from attending the annual festivals?

¹⁴ For faithful Israelites, the high point and focus of such trips was the spiritual aspect​—their eagerly worshipping Jehovah alongside thousands of appreciative celebrants. What would be the effect on those who attended? An answer can be found in Jehovah’s directions to his people regarding the Festival of Booths: “You must rejoice during your festival, you and your son and your daughter and your man slave and your slave girl and the Levite and the alien resident and the fatherless boy and the widow, who are inside your gates. Seven days you will celebrate the festival to Jehovah your God in the place that Jehovah will choose, because Jehovah your God will bless you in all your produce and in every deed of your hand, and you must become nothing but joyful.”​—Deut. 16:14, 15; read Matthew 5:3.