Feast of Tabernacles

August 4, 2013 Background Scripture: Nehemiah 7:73b – 8:18; Leviticus 23:33 – 43 Lesson Passage: Nehemiah 8:2, 3, 13 – 18 There were three annual assemblies when the men of Israel were called to present themselves before the Lord. The Feast of Tabernacles was the third of the three assemblies. This feast took place during the time of harvest. This feast required the children of Israel to live for a week under shelters that were constructed by using tree branches. This was a solemn act and a reminder of the conditions God led their ancestors to live in after He had brought them out of the bondage of Egypt. This was one of the ways God humbled their ancestors so that they would be taught to depend on Him to meet all of their needs. It was fitting that this feast would be celebrated at the time of harvest. It is often during the times when we are blessed with physical blessings that we tend to forget God who gives us all things. This self-inflicted humility as part of this feast served to help the children of Israel remember God as the source of all of their blessings. That it happened at the time of harvest made it an effective tool for teaching younger generations about their religious heritage. Surely such actions as living under tree branches for a week would engender questions in the minds of the children and youth. I can hear them asking their parents: Why do we live like we have nothing at the time of the year when we have the most? I believe that many would concur with me that this is an interesting challenge to the human ego. This was indeed a teachable moment. Each of the three annual gatherings of the men of Israel provided teachable moments for the younger generations. This ensured that the knowledge and worship of God would continue from generation to generation. Some of the most difficult things to pass from one generation to another are values. This structured worship achieved just that. After the walls of Jerusalem were completed under Nehemiah’s leadership, the minds of the children of Israel were turned towards the word of God (the Law). It was at this time that the people gathered together and called for Ezra to share with them the Law of God that was given to them by Moses. Ezra came forward and stood upon a platform that was constructed for that purpose. This platform allowed Ezra to be above the people which would have aided in projecting his voice. Ezra worshiped the Lord and the congregation of Israel likewise worshiped the Lord before the word of God was read into their hearing. While Ezra read the word of God, there were Levites who assisted by interpreting the word for those in the congregation so that they could understand it. Day by day the pattern continued with Ezra reading the Law, the Levites interpreting the Law, and the congregation of Israel receiving the Law. Because this occurred at the time of harvest, the people responded by obeying the Law and making booths of tree branches to live under for seven days. Thus Israel celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles. Robert C. Hudson July 27, 2013