During the reading of the law, they came to a passage in the scripture referring to an important ceremony called the feast of the tabernacles. This feast was one of remembrance of their history as a nation. It began on the 15th day of the seventh month to last for seven full days. During those seven days, they were to live in booths, to praise God for the harvest. This ceremony had been neglected by the children of Israel. Remarkably, they read this portion of the law on the 2nd day of the seventh month.
Suddenly, they stopped everything to gather the all the fruits of the land and to build the booths, to reestablish this ceremony, to remember their history, and to praise God for keeping His covenant throughout the years, regardless of their having so often failed as a nation before God. It was a reminder that God “made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when (He) brought them out of the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 23:43). A reminder that God, “I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 23:43).
Note: God remains in control of every detail of our lives. It was no coincidence that they reached this passage just in time to prepare for the feast of the tabernacle; because, God knew the importance of His people to remember history and to have ceremonies to help them recall all He had done.
The Ceremony, a Celebration of History
So, the people went forth, and brought them (olive branches, pine branches, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of thick trees) and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gates of Ephraim.
And all the congregations of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua (Joshua) the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.
Also, day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner (Nehemiah 8:16-18).
Then, after all the ceremony was completed; on the 24th day of the seventh month, they all gathered with fasting, wearing sackclothes; with earth upon them. “The seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers” (Nehemiah 9:2). Confession of their sins was not a matter of international concern. The ceremony, the recollection of their history; was a matter of national concern. Returning to a sense of nationalism: paramount for their future as a nation under God.
PRAYER BEGINS WITH PRAISE
All the celebration had ended with a national prayer of repentance. Then, the priests and the Levites lead the nation in a four-part prayer. The prayer began with praise to God for who He is and all He had done.
“Stand up and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heave, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshipeth thee. Thou art the Lord, The God” (Nehemiah 9: 5-7).
Prayer begins with acknowledging to whom we pray. Unless I remember to whom I am praying; my prayers seem very small. It is important that I remember: “God IS and He rewards those who diligently seek Him” (paraphrase of Hebrews 11:6). This is foundational to our living lives of Abiding, Steadfast Joy, as I spent several chapters in my book of the same name writing about this truth. We must write this truth upon our hearts to have the faith necessary to face the trials that lay before us.
PART TWO: RECALLING HISTORY AND GOD’S GRACE
The second part of the prayer in Nehemiah 9:7-31 is an honest remembrance of history ending with a celebration of God’s grace. “Nevertheless, for thy great mercies’ sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God” (Nehemiah 9:31).
We must look back with honesty and integrity, remembering all that God has done; despite our failures. It is only God’s grace that I am where I am in life; because, I do not deserve the grace I have been given.
The same is true as our nation. We cannot whitewash our own failures; however, we must with honesty remember God’s grace through it all. It began with a preamble to our constitution built upon Godly principals as “one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.” Although, we may have stumbled along this path at times; our forefathers set forth a future ideology to do just that. As a people; because of God’s grace, we moved forward to ultimately repent of our sins, abolish slavery and provide equal rights for women. This was the futuristic dream of the founding fathers. Although many want to abolish our history; we must remember it with honesty and integrity.
Although many want to forget the truth of history, Francis Scott Key wrote the national anthem; not as a supporter of slavery. Rather against the slavery of England. He was held, along with many others as a prisoner and slave upon a British ship. He was a staunch abolitionist, fighting against slavery. His third verse stood in condemnation against all the slavery and imprisonment enacted by the British. But, alas, if we do not teach the truth of history; we will fail to be able to move forward.
PART THREE: A REPENTANT HEART
The prayer recorded in Nehemiah 9 then turns to a realization that all their trials as a nation came because of their own sins as a nation. We must see the truth within our own hearts; recognizing that were it not for grace, we deserved only God’s wrath. All that I have, is only due to grace. When I realize that truth, I cannot bemoan that which I do not have; rather, I must praise God for what I do have.
PART FOUR: A COVENANT TO SERVE GOD
The prayer in Nehemiah ends with a covenant to God, written and sealed by all the leaders of the nation of Israel. This included all the priests as well as the political leaders of the nation.
Have you made a covenant with God, to follow Him, to obey His commands? God’s covenant to us is certain. He is faithful. But what about us? Can you at least make a covenant to spend time in Bible study, worship and prayer? Write it down, sign it and place it securely in your Bible; then, keep it.
HISTORY AND CEREMONY REALLY ARE IMPORTANT
We must not forget who God is, nor the truth of our own history before God. With repentant hearts, recognizing that all we have is due to His grace; we must covenant to worship Him every day of our life from this day forward for the rest of our lives.
As we approach the celebration of Christmas, let us not forget history; let us celebrate our Savior and Lord.
CONCLUDING TWEETS
[bctt tweet=”Although many want to abolish our history; we must remember it with honesty and integrity” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]Have you made a covenant with God, to follow Him, to obey His commands? [/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=” Can you at least make a covenant to spend time in Bible study, worship and prayer?” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]Write A covenant to pray daily, sign it and place it securely in your Bible[/tweetthis]
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
OR ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?
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ABIDING, STEADFAST JOY 
A labor of love, this book provides you with 3 foundations of truth from the scripture which once known will provide you with abiding, steadfast joy. Undaunted by the storms of life; your joy will overflow.
WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
Through a study of Nahum, Habukkuk, and Zephaniah; I brought their message into our modern times. Answering the questions of “Why, God?”
Providing a foundation of faith and hope; even, as we see so much evil in the world and in our nation. With so much sorrow and despair, this book I wrote to guide you into discovering God’s Perfect Plan of love; amid this chaotic world filled with life’s storms.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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