Nehemiah 8:13-18 – Festival of Shelters

Read Nehemiah 8:13-18

I appreciate when I can learn more about Jewish traditions and what the Law of Moses instructed the Jewish people to do. After all, these are the traditions that Jesus would have known and participated in. This feast or festival is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles and is still celebrated today for nine days sometime during the months of September or October. It is associated with the gratitude for the bounty and provisions of God.

Because the returnees were trying to do things “by the book,” literally, reviving this festival was one of those activities being renewed. Rather than “guess” at what God wanted, the leaders met to learn more by reading the law together. When we want to know how to act in a certain situation, our “go-to” should always be, “what does the Bible say,” or “what would Jesus do?”

I’m impressed with the devotion of these returnees to please God by showing their obedience to the law. Based on what we read here, God was pleased. Nehemiah writes, “So everyone who had returned from captivity lived in these shelters during the festival, and they were all filled with great joy!” God poured out his blessings, and the people felt joy.

Joy is a beautiful thing. Jesus spoke to his disciples about joy in John 15. In verses 9-11, Jesus says, “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” It sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? Jesus tells us to obey God’s commandments and stay connected to him (remain in his love).

While Nehemiah’s contemporaries didn’t have these words from Jesus yet, they were living them out just the same. They knew their ancestors had not kept the law. This particular festival had not been celebrated in this “correct” way since Joshua! That’s many generations ago! Can’t you just see God smiling when he saw his people taking him serious? That’s what he wants from us, too.

You can read more here about the Feast of Tabernaclesin a beautiful article published by Angel Studios (producers of “The Chosen”).

Let’s pray. Lord, I need to keep my eyes on you and resist the evil one’s schemes. I want to obey you and stay close. Thank you for how your joy spills out and makes me glad. I’m doing all I can to cling to that joy during some very sad times. Lord, I know there are so many people who don’t know you and feel like something is missing. I pray for them that they will discover your truth and your joy. Use me to share your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.