THE 5TH FEAST

As we prepare for the glorious and much-anticipated feast of Pentecost, we recall that it is one of  7 Old Testament feasts that God required His people to observe from the time of Moses.  John 5: 39  says,  “Search the scriptures;  for in them ye think ye have eternal life:  and they are they which testify of Me…”   telling us that the Old Testament was a prophetic treasure map pointing us to the place where the most precious jewel of all time could be found.   And that jewel was named Jesus.   And since Jesus Himself said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil" (Matthew 5: 17), we believe that each feast was symbolic of what Christ would do which was demonstrated in the first 4 feasts as follows:  Passover (His death), Unleavened Bread (His burial), First Fruits (His resurrection) and Pentecost (the outpouring of the Holy Ghost.)   And since there are still events to occur according to God’s prophetic timeclock such as the final trumpet call, Christ’s second coming, the 1,000 year reign, the Judgement Throne and dwelling with God in New Jerusalem, we are certain that our Lord will fulfill the remaining 3 feasts (Trumpets, Day of Atonement & Tabernacles) in like manner, but in His own manner and in His own timing.    

But today’s message will focus on an event that occurred nearly 2,500 years ago on the 5^th feast called the Feast of Trumpets, or known in Judaism as Rosh Hashana.   Rosh Hashanah is referred to in Numbers 29 (also Leviticus 23), which says,  “And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.” 

This day was not only a gathering of God's people, but a wake-up call to repentance as well.  And though identified as occurring on the 7^th month, it was actually the beginning of a new year according to the Jewish civil calendar.   But unlike the wild celebrations of our secular New Year’s holiday on January 1st, the Jewish New Year focuses on prayer and spiritual growth.  What a difference!   Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every day was a day like that?   If it’s not, let's put in the effort to make it that way!

And so, before we get into our scripture today, a little history on what led to the event we will be discussing.    As we know, the people of Jesus’ Jewish roots, the Hebrews (also known as the Israelites,) were God’s chosen people.   But because of their disobedience, the country descended into civil war dividing into 2 kingdoms eventually being conquered and enslaved by other nations.  The northern Kingdom succumbed to the assault of their northern neighbors, Assyria, and the southern Kingdom was later ransacked by Babylon.   Both occupying forces forcibly deported great numbers of Israelites to other lands and replaced them with other people, but Babylon went even further and destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem as well.  Later, the Persian empire, which is modern-day Iran, comes into power and assumes control over all of the assets of the previous conquerors, including the enslaved Israelites.

But God already had a gracious plan of restoration and redemption for His people’s rebellion against Him and caused the King of Persia to allow some of the people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple.  This repatriation was accomplished over a period of time with three separate groups, each being led individually by Zerubbabel, Ezra and then Nehemiah as follows:

• Zerubbabel led the first wave to rebuild the Temple.

• Ezra led the second wave for covenant renewal and national repentance.

• Nehemiah led the third wave to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. 

And after all of this was done, unbelievably the people continued to sin.   Well, maybe not so unbelievable as we see so many people continuing to do the very same thing unto this very day.    Nonetheless, Ezra and Nehemiah joined forces to reestablish the reading of and obedience to God’s Word, to reinstitute much needed spiritual reform and to restore genuine worship of the eternal God.  Sounds like this current world could use a healthy dose of what these ancient leaders dispensed on this required day of gathering.   The specific details of this spectacular event which happened on the feast day of Rosh Hashana is documented in Nehemiah, Chapter 8, Verses 1-10.   So, let’s go through it.

[1]   And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.

Two important principles to note in this verse.  First the unity and agreement of all the people.  As we know from other events throughout the Bible, when this type of togetherness occurs marvelous things happen such as the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the feast day of Pentecost.  “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.   And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.   And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.   And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”  (Acts 2: 1-4)

Second, the importance of applying God’s Word to our everyday lives, both spiritual and temporal, cannot be overemphasized.   Without it, we are nothing.     Jesus, Who is the Word of God says,  “I am the vine, ye are the branches:   He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:  for without Me ye can do nothing.”   (John 15: 5)

[2]   And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

As there is no respect of persons with the Lord, the grace and blessings of God are available to all people regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, financial status, educational level or any other factor that this world thinks is important but is used too often to divide us.  “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female:  for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”  (Galatians 3: 28)  

However, the equality we enjoy in the Lord must still abide by the principles of decency, order, respect and humility by always conducting ourselves within the social framework that God has established.

And of course, the understanding of God’s Word is essential.   This takes a heavenly wisdom which God is willing to distribute generously.  “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally…”   (James 1: 5)   Remember that “Wisdom is the principal thing;  therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”  (Proverbs 4: 7)    

Wisdom is the catalyst to effective understanding.    And to even start to have a productive relationship with wisdom requires a willing belief, awe, reverence and submission to God.   “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments.”  (Psalm 110: 10)   And all of these precepts point to one thing as written in Ecclesiastes 12: 13  -  “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:   Fear God, and keep His commandments:  for this is the whole duty of man.”

And for anyone who by reason of age or mental acuity are unable to comprehend sufficiently, our God is undoubtedly more than capable of communicating with those who may fall into this category.   We’re talking about the One Who can make donkeys speak, command the ocean to be still, stop the rotation of the earth on its axis, create a new universe in the blink of an eye, rain fire and brimstone from heaven, raise the dead and forgive sins.   If He couldn’t, then He wouldn’t be God.   So, you can believe that when He says salvation is available to everyone, He means it.

[3]  And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. 

One of the reasons we cherish the Word of God so much is because of what it does for us.   Look at what it did for Timothy.    “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”  (2 Timothy 3: 15)   

And the Word is so awesome that even if you don’t believe in God, if you follow it’s precepts, there is benefit that can be derived.   So, if you just want to be a good person, just imitate the scriptures.  But if you want to be saved you have to become the scriptures.  You can’t just mimic it, you have to be born of it.

[4]  And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose;  and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

The support of others is very important to those endeavoring to spread the gospel.  The opposition and assault of the enemy is real and is intensified against God’s servants.  So, stand with those who speak the truth and live righteously in the name of Jesus Christ.   Strive to be a help to our great commission and not a hindrance.

[5]   And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people;  (for he was above all the people;)  and when he opened it, all the people stood up: 

How wonderful it is to have God’s Word evoke such a precious display of honor and respect.   And His Word is so precious that it undeniably is deserving of such honor.   Psalm 19: 11 tells us how special the Word is and how we should crave it.    “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:  sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb….”    This same Psalm continues by telling us why: “Moreover by them is Thy servant warned:  and in keeping of them there is great reward.”   And then 2 Peter 2: 2   gives us another benefit derived from consuming God’s Word.   “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby:”

[6]   And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God.  And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands:  and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

Ezra’s reference to the Lord as  “the great God”  is more than appropriate.   In fact, human language is inadequate and fails miserably to righteously describe the majesty, the splendor and the glory of our Creator.   Even so, the Lord wants us to try the best we can to give Him the honor He so richly deserves.  The response of the people both verbally and physically is indicative of how the Word can move you so deeply that it can result in a visible and audible manifestation of spiritual immersion.

This is where Satan gets really upset and will try to do anything to distract you from worship.  He will use anything from a crying baby to a leg cramp to create a diversion.  Even difficult circumstances in our life can be used against us to channel our focus onto our battles instead of the Lord’s beauty.  

Therefore, I submit to you that perhaps the position produced by the perception of our predicaments may be problematic.  Yes, we have trials and tribulations on our heels, but we also have the Lord on our side.  There should be joy jumping up out of our joints because for every struggle there is strength.   For every piece of pain there is a portion of peace.   For every lingering situation there is an inexhaustible supply of inspiration, edification and rejuvenation.  Yes, we have the right to gripe, but here is the question:  is it right to gripe when we serve such a mighty God?  The One Who heals our diseases and loads us daily with benefits.  The One Who says  “…all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”  (Ro 8: 28)   The One Who, when others mean evil for us, He means good.  The One Who not only comes to our rescue when we are in trouble, but The One Who stays with us in that trouble and guides us through that trouble.  OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!   WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE! 

[7]   Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.

[8]  So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

Simply put, we need the Word, the whole Word and nothing but the Word.   We must,  “Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season;  reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”   (2 Timothy 4: 2) As Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." (1 Cor 2: 2)

[9]   And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God;  mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

“…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”   Psalm 30: 5     Yes, tears are a part of this journey we are on.   But though those tears may flow, if you are repented up you can still have joy in your soul.   And sometimes those tears are tears of joy because God is so good.

And why is joy so important?   Because joy is a fruit of the Spirit and in the Spirit is where we want to be.   Jesus said, “The Words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”  (John 6: 63)    And this life-giving Spirit is synonymous with power.   “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  (2 Timothy 1: 7)    So powerful are His Words that when the Lord speaks, things happen.   Like in the beginning when God said, “Let there be light: and there was light.”   (Genesis 1: 3)    And nothing has changed since then.   “So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”   (Isaiah 55: 11) 

And this is where the rubber meets the road when talking about the Word:  “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”   (Hebrews 4: 12)    

[10]  Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

When it’s all said and done, nothing on this earth or anything that we do can compare to being a member in good standing in the Kingdom of God.  “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink;  but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.   For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.  Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”  (Romans 14: 17-19)

So let us come to the feast and dine, praising God for His Word.   May we be doers of the Word and not hearers only and bless His glorious name forever.  Amen, and Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh21YpjwmXA