Checking the Source Material

Scripture: On the second day, the family leaders of all the people, along with the priests and Levites, assembled before Ezra the scribe to study the words of the law. They found written in the law how the Lord had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should dwell in booths during the festival of the seventh month. ... The whole community that had returned from exile made booths and lived in them. They had not celebrated like this from the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day. And there was tremendous joy. Nehemiah 8:13-14,17

Observation: Ezra and Nehemiah have been reorganizing the nation of Israel, and specifically the city of Jerusalem. After much of the rebuilding, they hold this event to read the scriptures, and the next day begin a study of the scriptures with local leaders. There they discover the Festival of Booths - a festival commanded in Leviticus - and they hold the festival. However, verse 17 makes an interesting statement ... that they had not celebrated the Festival of Booths since the time of Joshua.

Now, Leviticus was written by Moses, and the Festival of Booths is to commemorate the years in the wilderness. Since the festival would logically begin AFTER the wilderness period, and Moses did not cross the Jordan River with Israel, this means the Festival of Booths began to be celebrated once Joshua was leading them as a nation settling into the land. We now know it ended after Joshua. Therefore, this festival - commanded by God in Leviticus - was observed for only ~30 years. At most.

How quickly had Israel turned from God's instructions? Festivals are the FUN part of the law, and they could not observe them for a long time. If that could only last one generation, certainly items such as ceremonial cleanliness and debt forgiveness and conflict resolution were not going to last. Meanwhile, with the loss of agreement and understanding of the law, but with a general understanding of the law, it is no wonder other rules and traditions were created and adopted that did not comply with God's instructions yet were enforced as societal expectations.

Application: I get so worked up over things I think are right and wrong. How sure could I be that my perceptions are correct? The only way is to read the source material - the bible - and when I do, I don't see a lot of rules about ... proper timing of taking the offering, how to conduct communion, elder responsibilities, building maintenance budgets. I DO see a lot of information about ... caring for the poor, loving others, giving of treasure, resolving conflict, using kind words in correction, avoiding judgment, demonstrating patience.

I read the bible most days, and fail to put these things into practice within a matter of minutes. Maybe the Israelites did pretty good in holding onto the instructions for 30 years after all.

Prayer: Lord, today I ask for your spirit as I navigate earthly and work-related issues and problems. I know I can bring your heart with me into these situations. I wish to be patient and kind and gentle. I try to find joy and peace and goodness. May your spirit be with me, and with Laurie, in all things this day. Amen.