Consider Nehemiah Chapter 8. Do you need more JOY in your life? Are you seeking a revival in your faith? Nehemiah will show you the way. Join us today as we cover creating a spiritual “prayer booth” for rejoicing, reading Scripture, recalling what God has done for us, and receiving new JOY.
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Wall Completed
- Nehemiah and the Israelites completed the walls and gates in 52 days (Nehemiah 6).
- Now Nehemiah begins restoring his beloved people’s faith (Nehemiah 7 & 8).
Fortification and Worship (Nehemiah 7: 1-5)
- Nehemiah assigned gatekeepers to keep the city free from enemies so the people could worship without threats.
- He appointed singers to praise the Lord day and night and to lead worship. It nurtured a close relationship with God.
- He appointed the Levites to watch over all things holy.
Historic Memory
- God put it into Nehemiah’s heart to register every person.
- Historic memory is crucial to the survival of any nation or culture.
- Nehemiah had to remind the people of their heritage and that God was with them as the returning remnant.
The Gathering – New Year’s Day (Nehemiah 8: 1)
- It’s October 444 B.C., New Year’s Day, called Rosh Hashanah on the Hebrew Civil calendar.
- The Feast of Trumpets on the Hebrew religious calendar calls for the people to prepare for the holy days to come (Leviticus 23: 23-24).
Hunger for God’s Word and Joy (Nehemiah 8: 2-8)
- The people gathered to hear Ezra read from the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).
- The people stood up the entire time from morning to midday, starved and thirsty for the Word of God.
- It takes only a few fallen-away generations to leave the next ones destitute and ignorant about God.
- Ezra blessed the Lord. All the people responded, “Amen, Amen.” Thus, they (1) thanked God with their “Amen”, (2) praised God by lifting up their hands, and 3) bowed down in adoration and submission to God.
Weeping & JOY (Nehemiah 8: 9-12)
- It took hearing and understanding God’s Word to begin the healing of broken hearts and dreams.
- The Word of God revealed their sin, they were grieved, and they confessed their sins before God.
- Nehemiah and Ezra told the people: “Don’t be grieved, for the JOY of the LORD is your strength”(v. 10).
The Feast of Booths – 444 BC (Nehemiah 8: 13-18)
- The Feast of Booths, also called the Feast of Tabernacles (or Sukkot) was celebrated for seven days.
- God called the Israelites to recall how they wandered the desert and lived in booths or huts while God provided for them.
- The Feast of Booths commemorates God’s provision and guidance, and the Israelites must live in booths to celebrate it.
- They read the Word of God, rejoiced, offered thanksgiving, and worshipped God with their families in huts/booths.
- God’s Word led them to repent; God’s Word changed everything, and they were filled with much joy.
Personal Reflection – The Feast of Booths Application
- How will you respond to these verses of Scripture? You Could
- Prayer Booth. Set up a Holy Place (call it a booth or secret place) in your home where you can pray, praise, read Scripture, and write in your prayer journal. Your booth is your secret place – it’s like a spiritual booth/or hut/where the people celebrate the Feast of Booths. It’s a place to put yourself in God’s presence in your home. You offer praise thanksgiving and worship.
- Listen. Take time daily to read Scripture and allow God to speak to you. You can ask the Holy Spirit to set the Words afire in your heart and help you understand as you read. Try to record a few sentences in your journal of how the Lord speaks to you.
- Receive the JOY of the Lord. “For the Joy of the Lord is your strength.” Ask Jesus for JOY as you read His word. (See John 15: 11 & Psalm 1.)
Cup of JOY Women
- Consider hosting a weekly one-hour Cup of Joy Women’s small group study. It accompanies this podcast and you can begin anytime or choose another of my podcast series (e.g. Finding More JOY).
- Pray about accepting this opportunity to engage others and gently evangelize by hosting a small group of friends over coffee or tea. It’s free and I will help you get started. For information, contact me, or go to Cup of Joy Women.
Links
- Download Bookmarks from this podcast series at my website: com
- Read more on hosting a Cup of Joy Women’s small group.
- Check out more podcasts here!
- Click HERE to find the book: Nehemiah: Rebuilding Hope and Joy in Your Life.
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