Nehemiah 8:9-18

Third Sunday in Advent

December 13, 2009

Nehemiah 8:9-18 (New International Version) 9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." 11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve." 12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them. 13 On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to give attention to the words of the Law. 14 They found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in booths during the feast of the seventh month 15 and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: "Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make booths"-as it is written. [ a ] 16 So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves booths on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim. 17 The whole company that had returned from exile built booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great. 18 Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the feast for seven days, and on the eighth day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly.

In the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon wrote, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” and followed that statement with several verses of examples such as, “a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,” and many more. As we go to the words of Nehemiah we hear him echo those thoughts. He told the people of Judah it was not a time for mourning or sadness but

IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE

I. With the Word

II. With joy

III. With generosity

The Word had been missing as an integral part of the people’s lives. As the history of God’s people progressed they had strayed from the Lord. Once the Israelites were in the Promised Land and Joshua and his generation had passed on, the new generation had not experienced personally the great acts of deliverance from Egypt. Their dependence on the Lord was not as obvious and they started flirting with other gods. Eventually they requested a king, which was a less direct rule by God. Later they split into two nations, with only Judah retaining a descendant of David on the throne.

The northern kingdom went into a rapid decline. Therefore they were conquered by Assyria and lost their identity. Judah in the south had revivals under some good kings. However, evil eventually won out there also. God sent a time of captivity to purify their devotion to Him. They spent seventy years in Babylon, but they did receive permission to return, as the Lord had promised. Only one-sixth of the population chose to make the trip back home.

Those who did return settled in the land and took care of their needs to rebuild. The walls of the capital city Jerusalem remained in ruins. The temple had been rebuilt but the city of God was still not in an honorable condition nor was it safe without walls. Nehemiah received permission to return and finish the project. Under his leadership they completed the rebuilding in 52 days.

The nation gathered to note the event at the beginning of Ethanim, the seventh month of their year, in the latter part of September by our calendar. The first day of Ethanim was the festival of trumpets. Ezra read the Law of Moses, the early books of the Old Testament, to the people from daybreak until noon. The people listened attentively, the next day also. In the Word they heard of God’s actions and of His faithfulness in dealing with them. They also heard what the Law required. It didn’t take them long to connect the dots. Much was missing in obedience and dedication to the Lord and His ways. They realized what they deserved. They repented of their sins. “All the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.”

Why was it all so new to them? The Word had been neglected. What you don’t know you can’t put into practice. Even if they had been spiritually concerned enough to return to Judah, there was still a lot that was missing in their knowledge and behavior.

We need to take a lesson from their experience. Never let the Word be missing from your family and your life. Hear it as a priority. Dig into it. Surveys reflect a growing biblical illiteracy among our nation’s citizens. We have so many other tools of communication and literature available that the Word gets crowded out. Familiarity with Bible stories is often lacking among our youngsters. They can sing the words of commercials and recognize company logos. Teens memorize lyrics of favorite songs. Yet when it comes to Bible passages or catechism parts some will protest, “I can’t memorize.” Mere rote memory is not our goal but many also do not know the lessons of Bible history nor the truths imparted in passages. We need to do more celebrating and spending time with the Word.

II.

As the people of Judah heard the Word they learned it was time to celebrate with joy. There is another message in the Word besides the law with its regulations and warnings of judgment. It proclaims the faithfulness of God. He was ever there, in good times and in difficult days, guiding, guarding and providing for them. He does not let us down. He had bestowed blessings on their forefathers. That goodness will never end, for God does not change. He was with them also and always would be.

The key faithfulness of the Lord was His promise to send the Savior. That was why He had preserved their nation. They were bearing the promise that the Messiah would come through them. He was the One to crush the serpent’s head, that is, to defeat the devil and rescue them from sin and its effects. He was the world’s only hope. The Savior would forgive those sins of neglect and disobedience. That Gospel message is the key part of the Word. It brings relief and joy. Nehemiah noted, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” If someone asked you what your strength was, you might supply answers like your keen insight, dependability, physical skills, musical talents, mechanical aptitude, leadership or compassion. How can the joy that God gives be our strength? Our joy results from His forgiveness of our sins. It is based on the Lord and His actions. He keeps His Word and treats us, not as we deserve but based on His goodness and love. That is needed and wonderful news.

You have the joy: express it. God’s servant told the people, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks.” It was not a time for sadness. That would come soon. The Day of Atonement was a time they fasted and grieved over their sins. We have days like Ash Wednesday and Good Friday when similar emotions are appropriate. Right then they should enjoy good things. Choice food included fat portions of meat. Those were filled with flavor. Since they didn’t have a sedentary lifestyle, maybe they had no cholesterol concerns. There was also the fruit of their trees like pomegranates, dates, and figs. Sweet wine rounded out the feast.

From the Word they learned about the upcoming Feast of Booths and set out to get ready for it. On their roofs, which were flat, the Jerusalem residents set up huts of poles with leafy branches on top. These booths reminded them that their ancestors lived in temporary dwellings on their trip to the Promised Land. Visitors set up their booths in the city plazas, courts of homes and of the Temple, for this festival was one of the times when everyone was required to go to Jerusalem. The event was also a harvest festival and included prayers for planting the next crop. The land needed rain after a dry summer. In addition the festival pointed ahead to the final harvest of believers and the joy of heaven eternally.

We also have a joyous season at hand. It is fine to celebrate as we remember the goodness of the Lord in sending His Son into our world. It’s fitting to have good food and decorated homes and yards as we rejoice in God’s love. Always keep the focus on the Lord. Direct attention to Him, not away from Him to the trappings of the season. How can we not be joyful when we consider the miracle of God sending His Son to save us?

III.

It’s also not a time to hoard God’s goodness but a time for generosity. Nehemiah gave instructions to the people of Judah to share their good things. As they looked to enjoy the feast he told them, “Send some to those who have nothing prepared.” Some families would not be able to have a feast. All were to be included in the celebration because God’s goodness takes in everybody and He had given an ample supply of good things. Sharing also added to the joy of the event. And so it happened. The author noted a celebration to this degree had not taken place since the days of Joshua numerous centuries earlier.

As we celebrate our holidays we also have opportunities to share with others. We receive many appeals for funds this time of year, sometimes almost to the point that we become annoyed with them. You are not required to fund them all. Check to see if they are legitimate groups. Then if they touch your heart and you have the ability, respond. Generously we have received so we can also give generously. Not every need is monetary. You can help your neighbor—the recent large, heavy snowfall was a time to assist others with clearing walks and driveways, or if someone was stuck in a drift. You can invite the lonely to a holiday gathering or visit those who cannot be out and about.

Knowing the first and greatest Gift of Christmas, be sure to share Him with others, both personally as you witness to the love of Jesus and as you support the work of our congregation, Lutheran High School and synod. It is truly a time for generosity in all ways. The saving Gospel is not for hiding or keeping for yourself. God has plenty of love to spread around.

Experience God’s blessing and peace in this season as you celebrate with the Word and with joyful generosity. God is great. Rejoice in Him!