Seeds for 10/23/2024 - Nehemiah 8:16-18
Scripture:
16 So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves temporary shelters on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim. 17 The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.
18 Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly.
Observation:
First, the people’s response is simple and straightforward obedience to the Word of God. Yesterday’s reading reported a discovery in the Law:
…the Lord had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in temporary shelters during the festival of the seventh month and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make temporary shelters”—as it is written.
Today we see the that the people’s response is not to argue with or dismiss the command but to obey it. They take this word concerning observance of the festival and put it into practice. This reminds me of James’ instruction to Christians: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (1:22)
Second, the response of obedience was universal. Nehemiah reports: “The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them.” (italics mine) The community was unified in their obedience to God’s Word and therefore unified in renewal.
Third, “their joy was very great.” Obedience to God’s instruction was not a drudgery that hampered them. Instead, it was sacrifice that invigorated them. The command demanded effort, time, attention, and care. And the result was great joy.
Fourth, public reading of scripture was at the heart of their celebration. “Day after day… Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God.” Their assembly was not centered on emotionalism even though they had strong emotions. Nor was it centered on one another and the inherent fellowship from gathering. It was centered on publicly encountering God’s Word together, read by Ezra the teacher.
Application:
What scriptures have inspired or compelled you to simple obedience?
When have you experienced joy as a result of great effort?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, write your Word upon my heart and show me the joy that comes from trusting obedience. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
If you liked this post from Seeds of Faith, why not share it and/or subscribe?
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™