Festivals

On the second day, the family leaders of the people, along with the priests and Levites, assembled before Ezra the scribe to study the words of the law. They found in the law how the alord commanded through amuses that the Israelites should dwell in booths during the festival of the seventh month. Nehemiah 8:13,14

The festival of booths is still celebrated in Jewish circles today. This festival was at the end of the ingathering of the harvest. The people were to build themselves tent-like structures and stay in them for seven days, much like going camping. They were not to do hard word but to rest and enjoy one another with feasting, prayers, reading scriptures. I know that my countrymen and women are looking forward to Easter, many go camping at this time and our holiday break is for around 5 days, for some who take holidays, longer.

Rest is important and so is remembering. The Israelites were doing this to remember when God brought them out of Egypt. At Easter we holiday to remember the sacrifice Christ made to set us free. It is important that we do things that help us remember. We go to church and give gifts, often chocolate eggs.

The children of Israel had not celebrated this practice since they had entered the promised land. The celebration was being re-instated. They must have enjoyed bringing back this tradition as it was a part of who they were and who their God enabled them to be.

What can you add back to your walk with God? Perhaps a renewal of your faith? Perhaps you can celebrate your Christian birth and baptism. Why not seek God for what He would have you revisit. Amen!