Your True Home

“They found written in the Law…that the children of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, and that they should announce and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem.” Nehemiah 8:14-15 NKJV

During the time of Nehemiah, the Jews rediscovered an ancient truth. Reviewing the Law, they realized that they had not been keeping God’s command to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (or “booths”).

This feast was to be a time to gather sticks and build booths by hand on their house tops. Then, they were to live with their families in those temporary dwellings for seven days, when they would have a solemn assembly.

This celebration was an annual reminder of everything that was important, and filled with activities that pointed everyone back to God. For this day was instituted by God Himself (Deuteronomy 16:16). He established this feast to help remind them of all that He had done in the past, and to help them remember His promises for the future!

This feast was a special time to present their sacrifices and offerings to God. But He made clear that they were not to “appear before the Lord empty-handed” but bring offerings from what they had received. Specifically, this was to be a special offering, above and beyond their regular tithes. As a result, this was an opportunity for God to bless them in special ways, above and beyond His normal blessings.

This was a yearly reminder that they were not to trust in their earthly possessions, but remember that everything in this life is temporary. To remember God’s faithfulness as they obeyed Him.
But these ancient Jews had forgotten about their own history. In the process, they had forgotten about God’s promises, and the keys to success and blessing.

On this day, the final day of this year’s feast, remember all that God has done for you! And remember that this world is not your home. That you can trust Him!

Prayer: “They found written in the Law…that the children of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, and that they should announce and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem.” Nehemiah 8:14-15 NKJV