Ezra chapter 3: verse 4 (NIV)
Then in accordance with what is written, they celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles with the required number of burnt offerings prescribed for each day.
We are very fortunate to have the Bible, the inspired word of God to guide and direct us. We never need to wonder how God wants us to live; its all there for us and these days in whatever form we choose. The exiles returning to Jerusalem were unfamiliar how to conduct the ordained feasts, nut they followed the instructions written down and they did everything as it was written.
They could have decided to change things in reflection of the fact that many of them had never been to Israel, and they’d had to serve foreign kings. Time had moved on. But they stuck to doing things God’s way and followed His directions. The same applies to us. The church needs to follow God’s directions as they are found in His word, no matter how much time has passed.
Dear Lord,
I realise what a privilege it is to have free access to Your guidance and teaching that is available to us in the Bible. May I never deviate from what it says, no matter what others think. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.