Then on the second day the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might gain insight into the words of the law. They found written in the law how the Lord had commanded through Moses that the sons of Israel should live in booths during the feast of the seventh month. So they proclaimed and circulated a proclamation in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches and wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches and branches of other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written. So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim. (Nehemiah 8:13-16)
It was day two of an historic revival amongst the exiles now returned to their promised land. On the heels of a memorable day of Ezra’s preaching, letting no grass grow, the leaders revived the Feast of Booths to commemorate their time in the wilderness, literally and figuratively. During the ensuing six days Ezra continued to teach the masses with the assistance of the Levites, as the people inhabited booths made of various leafy branches from trees and shrubs, some of which providing pleasant and memorable aromas.
Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, and instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, and it will be a memorial to the Lord, for an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.” (Isaiah 55:13)
Interestingly, the evergreen nature of the fragrant myrtle tree represents eternal life and reflects hope and God’s enduring covenant with His people.
17 The entire assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths. The sons of Israel had indeed not done so from the days of Joshua the son of Nun to that day. And there was exceedingly great gladness.18 And he read from the book of the law of God daily, from the first day to the last day. And they celebrated the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly according to the legal judgment. (Nehemiah 8:17–18, LSB)
Not since the days of Joshua had this celebration been implemented so authentically and joyously. Because their number could have ranged up past 40,000, this was also an excellent example for us of how to use the spiritual gifts resident in the body of Christ. Somehow Ezra’s message was disseminated to the masses, mainly through now useful Levites.
One of the obvious things we learn from this account is that throughout God’s word we learn of symbolic measures to encourage the Israelites to recall God’s past deliverances. These are useful for “correction and training in righteousness.”
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)
Speaking of Joshua, we have the example of him building a memorial in the river Jordan out of twelve stones to commemorate the people’s crossing made possible by the restraining hand of God.
6 Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.’ So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.” (Joshua 4:6–7)
In the New Testament, we have the sacrament of communion to remind us of Christ’s broken body and blood spent for us. This “last supper” was instituted by Jesus himself for us to remember his death on the cross.
19 And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. 20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. (Luke 22:19–20)
If I had a symbol representing my spiritual journey (my booth), it’d have to be my favorite “easy” chair. Down through the years, it’s been a typical recliner utilized for Bible study and prayer early in the morning “while it was still dark.” (Mark 1:35) This is where I’ve done business with God, and from this perch I’m writing this devotion.No particular aroma other than from the coffee pot.
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