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

Giving Gifts for the Temple

July 28, 2013 Background Scripture: Ezra 8:24 – 36 Lesson Passage: Ezra 8:24 – 35 It is strange how some local congregations have major disagreements over questions such as what color carpet to install. Should we use pews or chairs? How many and what kind of tables should we use to receive offerings and administer the Lord’s Supper? Should we use offering baskets or offering trays? Or what is the proper amount for a freewill offering that should be given to the church? With all that is lacking in mission, evangelism, and ministry today, it is disappointing how easily a local church can become distracted with such trivial matters. The fact that there is such a tremendous difference in furnishings, color schemes, and ministry financing plans from one local church to another is a clear indicator that no single answer was found to those questions. Thanks to the instructions provided by God through Moses, Israel never had to “figure out” what would be the proper gifts to bring for the house of God or how should it be furnished. God spelled it out in details. Everything from the furnishings and vessels to the gifts that were intended to sustain the Levites whose ministry it was to care for the temple and administer the required sacrifices was detailed. For Israel, it was only necessary that they get back to God’s plan. One step was to return the silver and gold vessels that were taken from the temple during the Babylonian conquest. God had seen to it that those vessels were returned when He acted on the heart of the Persian king after the Persians conquered the Babylonians. For Israel’s part, they were given the vessels but it was up to them to return them to their proper place. An accounting was made of each of the items (material, weight, and quantity) and then they were delivered to the Levites who were responsible for their upkeep and use. Once the temple was furnished according to God’s plan, then it was a matter of requesting the freewill offering. The individual freewill offering was to be given in proportion to the blessings the Lord had given the individual. This was similar to the tithe in that it was to be in proportion to what the person had received. However, unlike the tithe, the freewill offering was to come out of the ninety percent left after the tithe and the proportional amount was determined by the giver. God has declared the tithe to be His and therefore all we can do is surrender it to God as an act of obedience. On the other hand, the freewill offering is just that—an offering given freely as an act of one’s will. After freewill offerings are received, then God has declared that they too then become holy. Those who were appointed to receive those gifts were set apart by God and therefore they were holy. After the vessels were returned to their appointed place and freewill offerings had been given, then the burnt offerings were presented before God. Burnt offerings were acknowledgments of sin and were used vicariously in the stead of the one bringing the offering. They were totally consumed by fire and the ashes were handled according to instructions in the Law. Everything had its proper order and place and was not done haphazardly. It was a solemn act of worship to give gifts for the temple. Robert C. Hudson July 1, 2013