DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – DISCIPLINES OF FAITH

"For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the grain, of the new wine, and the oil, to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are, where the priests who minister and the gatekeepers and the singers are; and we will not neglect the house of our God." (Nehemiah 10:39)

After the wall was completed, the people returned to their own cities where their homes were (Nehemiah 7:73). In the seventh month they all returned to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Trumpets as the Mosaic Law commanded, and the Book of the Law was read to them on the 1^st day of the 7^th month (Nehemiah 8:2). The people all went their way, understanding the words of the Law (Nehemiah 8:12). The next day, the leaders of the people, the priests and the Levites gathered together to have further instruction of the Law (vs. 13). It was then then that they understood that the Law commanded that they assemble together in the 7^th month for the Feast of Tabernacles (vs. 14). They sent out the word to all Israel to come to Jerusalem to celebrate this feast (vs. 15). So the people came with their branches to make booths or Tabernacles (vs. 16). They had not celebrated this feast since the days of Joshua (vs. 17). Throughout the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God and on the 8^th day they rested as the Law prescribed.

The Feast of Tabernacles was one of three Holy Days observed in the seventh month. The first was the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24). The tenth day of that month was the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29; 23:26). On the 15^th day of the 7^th month was the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:34, 39). That feast lasted 7 days which would bring them to the 21^st day of the month. On the 8^th day, there was to be a sacred assembly or sabbath (Leviticus 23:39), which would bring them to the 22^nd day.

So it is interesting that this was now the 24^th day of the month (Nehemiah 9:1) when those who had were consecrated met for further instruction. For 3 hours, they heard the Scriptures read, and for another 3 hours they confessed their sins and worshiped (vss. 2-3). The priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, Nethinim, and the nobles who had understanding, recommitted and rededicated themselves to observe the commandments, the ordinances, and the statutes Lord (10:29) – the disciplines of the Jewish faith, such as keeping the Sabbath, the sacrifices, tithes and offerings, and attendance to the house of the Lord. Through the years, these practices had been neglected, but now they committed themselves to "walk in God's Law....and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes" (10:29).

Sometimes we are like the Israelites who for years had neglected to keep the disciplines of the Jewish religion. It seems so easy for us to be negligent in keeping the disciplines of the Christian faith – such as bringing our gifts of financial support and tithing to the storehouse, and church attendance. These things are not required by Law – we are not under the Law – but they do reflect our devotion to God. May we not be negligent in keeping the Christian disciplines of worship, studying God's Word, giving, and attending the house of the Lord.

Love, Dad

Virus-free. www.avg.com