joy
10 - 12/24 /11:47
Are you a joyful person? Do people enjoy being around you?
538bce (before common/christian era) the newly triumphant Persian empire authorized exiles could return to their homelands. Nearly 50,000 exiles returned to Jerusalem. The ancient city was desolate and the temple a ruin, but the Jewish people were determined.
Seven months later the entire Jewish community gathered for the Feast of Tabernacles. They camped out in shelters made of tree branches and listened to the public reading from the Law of Moses. Nehemiah records, “Their joy was very great.”
538bce (before common/christian era) the newly triumphant Persian empire authorized exiles could return to their homelands. Nearly 50,000 exiles returned to Jerusalem. The ancient city was desolate and the temple a ruin, but the Jewish people were determined.
Seven months later the entire Jewish community gathered for the Feast of Tabernacles. They camped out in shelters made of tree branches and listened to the public reading from the Law of Moses. Nehemiah records, “Their joy was very great.”
Nehemiah 8 guides readers to understand how God can tow people into joy. Trust God’s plan. Obey God’s word. Work God’s will.
The Jews who returned to Jerusalem gave up security, abandoned careers and sacrificed prospects. They did all this because they trusted God’s great plan—trusted that they still had a place in God’s plan.
The Jews who returned to Jerusalem determined to obey God’s word. Listening to the public reading of the Law they became aware of how they and their ancestors had neglected God’s law and violated God’s commands. They became aware of their sin. With weeping, they humbly confessed and repented.
The Jews rebuilding Jerusalem prioritized the work of God. Upon learning that the Feast of Tabernacles ought to be celebrated in temporary campground shelters they built shelters out of tree branches, then spent about a week living in those shelters. They worked God’s will.
God can tow into joy those who trust His plan, obey His commands, and work His will.
Problem is God’s will can seem silly. For example, putting lamb’s blood around your front door. Or parading around an enemy city instead of attacking it. The idea of living as aliens instead of US citizens may seem silly.
Occasionally God’s work is downright dangerous. The apostle Paul was compelled by the Holy Spirit to return to Jerusalem, even though he knew he would be imprisoned there. Jesus commands His followers to love their enemies, pray for their persecutors, forgive them.
Those who trust God’s plan, obey God’s word, and work God’s will find themselves towed into joy. Deep joy this world cannot give and cannot take away. ~
Merry Christmas,
Dan Nygaard