Me? Series Notes- Nehemiah 8:13-18

When Ezra the scribe reads the words of the Law to the people, they realize they have overlooked the festival of booths that their forefathers had previously observed. In observing this practice, originating during the time of the exodus from Egypt, the Israelites would gather branches and limbs of trees and construct temporary coverings or tents ("booths") in the wilderness to show their absolute reliance upon God. By the time of Nehemiah, the practice was no longer being observed as it once was.

Under conviction based on Ezra's reading of the Law, the people of Israel begin to observe the festival of booths once again. Considering that Jerusalem had just been restored, and individual homes had been built throughout the city, moving into a booth, even on a temporary basis proved their appreciation and obedience toward God.

Here's The Point: Just as the children of Israel had chosen to ignore the practice of observing the festival of booths, oftentimes we grow to overlook disciplines that were once crucial to our own spiritual growth. Consider these examples:

1. Years ago when you barely made any money, you tithed. But now, you make ?0,000 a year and to tithe on that amount would be costly.
2. There was a time when you read the Bible daily but now your world has gotten so busy and you simply can't find the time anymore. Because you have more important things to do.
3. You used to journal your thoughts, chronicle what God was teaching you, showing you, on a daily basis. Journaling used to mean so much to you. But now, there's just not time.

Maybe, just like the Israelites in Nehemiah's day, we need to assess what is important.