October 11, 2024

October 11:  Happy People.

The Joy of Being Accepted Again.
So everyone who had returned from captivity lived in these shelters during the festival, and they were all filled with great joy!  The Israelites had not celebrated like this since the days of Joshua son of Nun.--Nehemiah 8:17, NLT


AND AT THE TIME APPOINTED--on the tenth day of the seventh month--the solemn services of the Day of Atonement were performed according to the command of God.

From the fifteenth to the twenty-second of the same month the people and their rulers kept once more the Feast of Tabernacles.  It was proclaimed "in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go Forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, everyone upon the roof of is house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God....And there was very great gladness."--Prophets and Kings, 665.

Israel had returned to God with deep sorrow for backsliding.  They had made confession with mourning and lamentation.  They had acknowledged the righteousness of God's dealings with them, and had covenanted to obey His law.  Now they must manifest faith in His promises.  God had accepted their repentance; they were now to rejoice in the assurance of sins forgiven and their restoration to divine favor.--Prophets and Kings, 667.

                          "Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks,
                          and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared.
                          This is a sacred day before our Lord.  Don't be dejected and sad,
                                          for the joy of the Lord is your strength!"
                              
                                                       --Nehemiah 8:10, NLT