Introduction (for parents):
We are told that Ezra’s preaching marathon was launched on ‘the first day of the seventh month’ (8:2). That is important because we know now that the ancient Church is gathering to celebrate 3 festivals that run back to back: The Feasts of Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles (Tents). These are all festivals that are focussed on the Return of Christ (see e.g. Matt.24:31, I Cor.15:51); the Church’s experience of deliverance from the wrath and judgment of God (atonement!) and the renewal of Creation.
This last festival (Tents) becomes the focus of the Neh.8:13-18. The point is to remind the people that they are pilgrims, passing through a world that will one day be theirs, but which they have not yet inherited. It connects us to the spiritual mindset and heartset of the father of faith, Abraham:
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Heb.11:8-10.
At this key moment, when the temptation to think of the earthly Jerusalem – with its walls now complete – as ‘home’, Ezra and Nehemiah lift the people’s eyes to a New Creation, and a heavenly city; and in doing so remind the people that this world is not their home.
Neh.8 breaks into two, interconnected, sections. I’ll be speaking to both in our service. The first half of the chapter is the account of Ezra’s preaching.
Discussion:
Why is reading the Bible and preaching so important when the Church gathers to worship?
key idea: The preacher is a ‘herald’. If they are doing their job properly they are not just sharing their opinion. They are ‘giving the meaning so that the people understand what is being read’ (Neh.8:8). The Bible means something and it is a preacher’s job to help you understand it.
Why do we call the Bible the Word of God?
If it is the Word of God, how should we treat it?
Can you see in the passage how it makes the people feel? Why is everyone getting so emotional?
In Psalm 19:9-10, we are told the Bible is more precious than gold, and sweeter than honey? What does this mean?
What are some things we could pray about after we have discussed these questions?
We could pray for those who preach and teach us the Bible at Church...
We could pray for those who are being taught (including us)... maybe that we would have good listening ears! and that our hearts would respond well! and that would do what we hear God telling the Church to do (see Matt.7:24-27 for a great story about not just listening to Jesus, but doing what He says!)
We could pray for Wycliffe Bible translators, who are working to make sure that everyone can read the Bible
A famous verse in the Bible about the Bible is in II Tim.3:16-17, which says: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Can you memorise that?
A brilliant video telling the story of William Tyndale (who translated the Bible into English) can be found here.
If you wanted to spend some time helping your child(ren) think through the Bible and their relationship with it, then My First Books and more... (catechism for family worship) p.152 starts a section called: Let’s think about the Bible (Q&A 238-267) – so there is plenty to get our heads around.
And the second section: the festival of tents (‘temporary shelters’)!
Discussion:
What are we looking forward to most about the New Creation?
How does getting the Church to live in tents for a week help us to remember that we are ‘pilgrims’, passing through this age?
How can we live now in a way that helps get us ready for our life in the New Creation?
Why does remembering that our future is in the New Creation mean that our ‘joy is very great’ (Neh.8:17)?
What festivals in our Church remind us about the New Creation?
Why not have this conversation while camping... it might be in the garden, the Church Hall, or overnight at a local campsite. There are a few within 5 miles of Ipswich. Check them out here.
