December 20, 2010
The temple is built and the wall is built. The people ask Ezra to read from the Book of the Teachings. Ezra began by praising the LORD. The Levites explained the teachings so everyone could understand what was being read. The people were finally "getting it." At first they were sad and crying. But the Levites told them not be sad but to rejoice, "Because the joy of the LORD is your strength." Then the people, for the first time since Joshua—built the shelters as God had told them to do. Ezra continued to read to them from the Book every day.
Desire. Before there can be any heart change, you must first have a desire to learn more about what God is teaching. The Israelites first wanted to know what God's word said. Then they understood and obedience followed. It always happens in that order. After obedience comes confession. When you seek God, He does reveal Himself and you do find joy. The joy of the LORD is my strength. Not was, not will be, but is both now and forevermore.
Addendum: 12/23/14 ~ They praised the LORD first. Their understanding came after praising the LORD. That is when our true understanding came as well. When you praise the LORD first, it puts the God → man order in the right perspective. When your perspective is right, then you are in a position where God can teach you what He wants you to learn, and understanding begins. After understanding, comes obedience and confession. Then it begins all over again with praise. Once you have understanding, you cannot keep it to yourself. You must share what you have learned with others.
This next passage of scripture brought so much meaning and understanding to us. We already knew we were supposed to build something to memorialize all the LORD has done for us, we just didn't know the how or completely understand the why. Nehemiah 8 explains it. "Go out into the mountains, and bring back branches... make shelters with them, as it is written." This was to be done to fulfill God's commands to Moses that the people were to live in shelters during the feast of the seventh month. I've never paid much attention to the Feast of Shelters. But this time it jumped out at me when it said they were to build the shelters on their land. What was this commandment to Moses from God about? I wanted to find out more about the Feast of Shelters. As I researched it, I was amazed.
The purpose of this commandment from the LORD, was to remind the people of God's faithfulness in providing shelter for them during their time of being in the wilderness and captivity. Not just as a reminder of a distant past experience, but a present tense remembrance and celebration—a time to worship the LORD for all He had done in protecting and guiding their lives.
This is the exact reason we have wanted to build some sort of structure to memorialize the LORD's faithfulness. For a while we considered building an open arbor, but we decided it needed to be something more than that. After reading about the Feast of Shelters, we realized it really needs to be an actual shelter. A shelter that will serve as a remembrance for how God has sheltered us during our seven year faith journey.
The Israelites were to celebrate the Feast of Shetlers during the 7th month. I looked up to see when the seventh month was in the Jewish calendar. It is during the months of September and October. I hope by September–October 2015, our shelter of remembrance with stones engraved with the scriptures Jane (Her Name Was Jane) told us to read, will be finished and the remembrance celebration can begin.
Addendum #2: 6/26/16 ~ The planning for the shelter began in September–October 2015. Lord willing, it will be done by September–October 2016. The shelter structure is built. The old street brick altar/fireplace is finished the old street brick floor is almost finished. The stones engraved with the God-given promises Jane gave us are all finished. We picked up the last engraved stone yesterday. This week we plan on starting the walkway of engraved stones and cobblestones which leads to the fireplace. The sign that says—"Praise Shelter, Est. 2016"—is routed and only needs to be stained. It truly is coming together. Blessed be the name of THE Lord.
Addendum #3: 2018 ~ Here is a picture of the Praise Shelter and a video of the cobblestone path.
The temple is built and the wall is built. The people ask Ezra to read from the Book of the Teachings. Ezra began by praising the LORD. The Levites explained the teachings so everyone could understand what was being read. The people were finally "getting it." At first they were sad and crying. But the Levites told them not be sad but to rejoice, "Because the joy of the LORD is your strength." Then the people, for the first time since Joshua—built the shelters as God had told them to do. Ezra continued to read to them from the Book every day.
Desire. Before there can be any heart change, you must first have a desire to learn more about what God is teaching. The Israelites first wanted to know what God's word said. Then they understood and obedience followed. It always happens in that order. After obedience comes confession. When you seek God, He does reveal Himself and you do find joy. The joy of the LORD is my strength. Not was, not will be, but is both now and forevermore.
Addendum: 12/23/14 ~ They praised the LORD first. Their understanding came after praising the LORD. That is when our true understanding came as well. When you praise the LORD first, it puts the God → man order in the right perspective. When your perspective is right, then you are in a position where God can teach you what He wants you to learn, and understanding begins. After understanding, comes obedience and confession. Then it begins all over again with praise. Once you have understanding, you cannot keep it to yourself. You must share what you have learned with others.
This next passage of scripture brought so much meaning and understanding to us. We already knew we were supposed to build something to memorialize all the LORD has done for us, we just didn't know the how or completely understand the why. Nehemiah 8 explains it. "Go out into the mountains, and bring back branches... make shelters with them, as it is written." This was to be done to fulfill God's commands to Moses that the people were to live in shelters during the feast of the seventh month. I've never paid much attention to the Feast of Shelters. But this time it jumped out at me when it said they were to build the shelters on their land. What was this commandment to Moses from God about? I wanted to find out more about the Feast of Shelters. As I researched it, I was amazed.
The purpose of this commandment from the LORD, was to remind the people of God's faithfulness in providing shelter for them during their time of being in the wilderness and captivity. Not just as a reminder of a distant past experience, but a present tense remembrance and celebration—a time to worship the LORD for all He had done in protecting and guiding their lives.
This is the exact reason we have wanted to build some sort of structure to memorialize the LORD's faithfulness. For a while we considered building an open arbor, but we decided it needed to be something more than that. After reading about the Feast of Shelters, we realized it really needs to be an actual shelter. A shelter that will serve as a remembrance for how God has sheltered us during our seven year faith journey.
The Israelites were to celebrate the Feast of Shetlers during the 7th month. I looked up to see when the seventh month was in the Jewish calendar. It is during the months of September and October. I hope by September–October 2015, our shelter of remembrance with stones engraved with the scriptures Jane (Her Name Was Jane) told us to read, will be finished and the remembrance celebration can begin.
Addendum #2: 6/26/16 ~ The planning for the shelter began in September–October 2015. Lord willing, it will be done by September–October 2016. The shelter structure is built. The old street brick altar/fireplace is finished the old street brick floor is almost finished. The stones engraved with the God-given promises Jane gave us are all finished. We picked up the last engraved stone yesterday. This week we plan on starting the walkway of engraved stones and cobblestones which leads to the fireplace. The sign that says—"Praise Shelter, Est. 2016"—is routed and only needs to be stained. It truly is coming together. Blessed be the name of THE Lord.
Addendum #3: 2018 ~ Here is a picture of the Praise Shelter and a video of the cobblestone path.
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