Jewish feasts were essential to national well being. The Psalms of Ascents (Psalms 120-134) refer to the tribes gathering to the temple. Included are the clear and direct words; ‘I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”’ (Ps 122.1)

Later history in Chronicles indicates the neglect of these, and attempts by a series of reforming kings to restore them:

• 2 Chr 24 – Joash repaired the temple; restored worship is implied.
• 2 Chr 30.1 – Hezekiah references the prior neglect of the temple and the priesthood; as part of his work of restoration.
• 2 Chr 35.18 – Josiah inspired repair of the temple
• Ezra 2 – the feast of Booths (Tabernacles) was restored

In his gospel, John calls them the feasts of the Jews, not the feasts of the Lord.  The feasts had become formal rather then genuinely celebratory.  The feasts represented something corporate. The neglect of these feasts was a sign of corporate declension.

The book, Primal Vision, highlights the fact that African tribes have long celebrated events together. These are often related to sowing and harvests, as corporate events, being essential to the well-being of the tribe.

How does this translate into Church life? Is it sufficient to meet once a week? Weekly attendance on a gathering falls far short of NT pattern, where they shared life together. Acts 2.46 refers to daily gathering.

The ‘personal faith’ which we in the west frequently refer to is both damaging and deficient compared to the Biblical pattern and cultural norms in many African countries.

The gospels describe the community of people which Jesus gathers to Himself. It is important to note that this was never a socially coherent group. We meet fishermen and tax collectors, lepers and zealots, prostitutes and Pharisees.

All gathered together around a single humble leader. Like David at the cave of Adullam, where those in distress and those in debt, and those who were discontented (bitter in soul) gathered to him. Such would not make a happy company, still less a mighty army; yet that is what they became, see 1Chr 12.22

In Acts 6.1, conflict arose between different groups; Greek-speaking and Hebrews. The apostles had no desire to separate them into heterogenous groups, but took action to unify them.

Reconciled diversity is an essential mark of the Church. We gather rich and poor, children and the elderly, men and women of different languages and nations, etc.

And this is a precious foretaste of eternity!

I am indebted to Steve Smith for the inspiration behind this article:  https://stevesmithwrites.substack.com/p/gospel-culture-is-not-incidental?triedRedirect=true

Our sermon series in Spring 2026 was in 1 Peter, with the overall title of Elect Exiles. One repeated comment was that the followers of Jesus would expect to endure everyday pressures in every age and any context.

Link here: https://www.thebridgechurch.co.uk/media/

The Bible is almost entirely the story of the people of God enduring such pressure; and sometimes outright persecution.

But there is a brief moment, in 1 Kings 4.25 , when every man lived under his vine and under his fig tree. This section, in v20-34, follows the reign of David’s godly life and military conquests. This brought peace over a large region within and beyond the borders of Israel. And it generated substantial trading revenue. Solomon enjoyed the fruit of that wealth, constructing the temple and his palaces. More importantly, the people enjoyed  a season of peace.

The history of Israel includes a number of similar periods when the land enjoyed peace –

‘So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land had rest from war.’ Josh 11.23

Words of David, addressed to Solomon. ‘“Is not the LORD your God with you? And has he not given you peace² on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the LORD and his people.’ 1 Chr 22.18;

‘And he (Asa) said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side.” So they built and prospered.’ 2 Chr 14.7.

‘So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.’ 2 Chr 20.30.

Micah writes after all of the events mentioned above. He prophecies a future when ‘they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree’ (Mic 4.4).  He adds, ‘the mouth of the Lord has spoken,’ indicating that this promise is certain. There is a future, when Christ shall reign, in the absence of rebellion and sin.

Turning to the NT, the disciple Nathaniel asks Jesus, ‘How do you know me?’ To which Jesus answers, ‘when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’ (John 1.48)

This is Nathaniel, knowing the history of Israel, reminding himself of the reign of Solomon and the glorious prophecy in Micah and seeking God for the future fulfillment of his words. Surely God will invade earth once more, bringing unbroken peace to all!

Paul turns this ‘brief moment; around:  He describes the brief moment as this life, the life of suffering, in contrast this life is brief. Eternity is so long:

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Cor 4.17-18)

Forgive the irony! The ‘brief moment’ of peace brought about by the life of David, the man after God’s own heart, the most Christ-like of all the kings, is exchanged for the ‘brief moment’ of human history, with its suffering and pain. An eternity awaits,