My New Home

Nehemiah 8:13-18

When you read the above passage, you will find the Israelites experiencing revival. They have just completed the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. They called for the Ezra to read God's word and help them understand it, and they are striving to obey each new truth they hear. This is the way revival always comes to us. When we hear the word of God and seek to obey it with our whole heart, we should expect revival in our life. Soon after God's Word becomes a joy, and God's way is the best and only. In our passage Israel had already been doing so much, but when Ezra told them that part of the feast of Tabernacles was living in a "booth" or "shack" during that week, the people immediately obeyed God's command. Their response could have been rebellious. "Come on Ezra, we are already doing so much." But Israel was all to happy to obey God's command. They all immediately went to work building "booths" or "shacks" to live in for the next week. God's will does at times seem uncoventional, but it is always the perfect idea.

So why did God want the Israelites to dwell in "booths" during the Feast of Tabernacles? (Tabernacle means dwelling place) This time of celebration was a time to look back and remember the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. God wanted them to always remember how he redeemed their nation from the bondage of Egypt and how they then rebelled and God punished their rebellion by making them wander in the wildreness. Secondly, this celebration was a time to look around and see all the blessings of the harvest that God had given to Israel. Finally, the Feast of Tabernacles was a time to look forward. It was a reminder not to grow comfortable in this world because every believer no matter if they lived before, during, or after Christ's death is a pilgrim temporarily living on this earth. The booths were just simple lean-to's that were not intended for long-term living.

Hebrews 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Hebrews 11:13-14 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

1 Peter 2:11-12 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

I'm not suggesting that we go live in a tent for a week, although that might be fun. I'm not telling you to cut down your neighbor's dead tree to make a framework for a booth like the Israelites did. I just want us to see that the 2 reasons for this passages. #1 Sometimes God's commands do not make total sense to us. The point is not to make sense of all God's Commands. The point is living in a constant state of revival where we jump at the opportunity to obey God's word. #2 Think about the reason God had them live in a "tent" for a week. He wanted them to look behind, look around, and look ahead. This is a great exercise for Christians today. Look behind and realize the grace of God in redeeming you, not from Egypt, but from sin and hell. Secondly, look around and take time to notice the blessing that God has given you (Ephesians 1-3, Psalm 68:19), Thirdly look ahead, always remember that were pilgrims just passing through this world. We are looking for a permanent dwelling in heaven with God.