The next day, all the heads of households, the priests, and the Levites gathered to listen to Ezra explain the words of the law. As they heard the law being read and explained, they discovered that they were to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
According to the law, the
children of Israel were instructed to gather branches from the mountains and
construct temporary shelters. They were to live in them during the seven-day
observance of the Feast of Tabernacles. With its huge historical significance,
this important feast was instituted for the people of Israel to express their
gratitude and commemorate when they migrated from Egypt to the Promised Land.
Upon learning this decree, the
people united and cooperated. They gathered branches and built shelters for the
upcoming Feast of Tabernacles. When the feast began, they moved to live in
these shelters. They stayed in them for the entire celebration, thus observing
the feast in a way that had yet to be done since the time of Joshua.
The people found profound joy and
deep spiritual fulfillment in faithfully obeying the law. During the feast
days, Ezra openly read the Book of the Law to the gathered assembly. On the 8th
day, following the conclusion of the feast, the Israelites held a solemn
assembly as commanded by the Law of Moses.
The importance of obedience and
unity of God’s people can never be overemphasized. God’s word, when understood must
be obeyed. Know it or not, obeying God always brings a deep sense of fulfillment and joy. The church today must remember the goodness of God and what He had
done for us through Christ. We too must not neglect our weekly gathering to commemorate,
celebrate, express our gratitude, and remember the faithfulness of God.
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