tab

I'm reading through "The Story: The Bible As One Continuing Story of God And His People". It is mostly Scripture with a few narrative passages to bridge the gaps. The final chapter for the Old Testament is entitled "Rebuilding the Walls". It is the account of Nehemiah's leadership restoring the defensive wall around Jerusalem, Ezra's restoration of the Law and finally Malachi's prophecy.

Nehemiah 8 is a record of a response to the reading of the Law, where the priests and Ezra discover a festival that had never been celebrated by the Jews: the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths). The rules for this feast were simple:

1. Make a temporary shelter and live in it.
2. Show up for daily reading of the Law of Moses.
3. Eat sparsely until the feast at the end.
4. Repeat.

The purpose was to remember and relive the Wilderness Wanderings and the giving of the Law. But let's face it: this is a major bore-fest. That's probably why it was never celebrated. There are so many other uses for that time than sitting around listening to old bearded guys prattle on about fun-killing rules and then walk off and sleep in a pile of rotting branches. Lets just do the party, OK?

That attitude is exactly why the Jews were about to enter their Dark Ages. Someone else took care of the Temple, someone else was defending the city, someone else was managing the God thing, someone else was in charge over in some other land. When someone else is managing the store then no one is responsible for their actions or life. 

I was discipled in an environment where the primary gathering place during large meetings was called the Tabernacle, or Tab. It was a sturdy building but clearly not meant as a palace or Temple. A few telephone poles, 2x12's, and a roof. There were screens in the large holes along the walls to keep the bugs out, but the doors were often propped open to let a little air flow through. Shellac and plywood. Benches. Yes, sawdust on the floors, in remembrance of the good old days. 

It was replaced with a thoroughly modern conference center with mega-donations and all the amenities. I've seen it happen at other campgrounds too. It's sad. Because often the externals are good to great but the soul is gone. The balance sheet is the judge of the leadership and the programming better be superior. 

That's what is going on in this chapter, and what has happened to American Christianity. The idea of the wandering traveler on this earth, ready to do and accept life as it comes has been lost. We are so tied to our buildings or organizations that very few "pick up their cross" and "follow me". We, me included, are loathe to leave our comfortable home for anything less than what we enjoy every night. And to spend every waking hour listening to the Law being read? For a week? This attitude is the stain of the Jews at the end of God's attempt at building a people who would take Him seriously. There would be those who continued with the traditions, the guys with the curly sideburns and black vestments perhaps. And for those few and the promises He made God settled in to let history do it's job till He moved with the second great stanza of faith history.

The Jews transferred personal responsibility to "someone else". Someone else then called the shots and told the Jews how life could be lived. Not God. Someone else. Guess who would love to fill that slot?

Let's go to the Tab, and hear that Old Word again, friend.