9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
13 On the second day the heads of fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law. 14 And they found it written in the Law that the LORD had commanded by Moses that the people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, 15 and that they should proclaim it and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem, “Go out to the hills and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written.” 16 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. 17 And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths, for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing. 18 And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. They kept the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
The people had an emotional response to the reading and explanation of God’s word. After acknowledging what they heard and worshiping God, they mourned and wept (probably in acknowledgment of their sinfulness). Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites told them not to mourn or weep because this was a holy day to the Lord. Instead, they were to go and eat and drink and share with those who had nothing ready. Rejoice in the Lord for He is your strength (these are sweet words to remember at a time like today when we all need much strength).
The next day the heads of families met with the priests and Levites in order to further study the law. In their study, they discovered the command written by Moses that Israel should celebrate the feast of booths (or tabernacles, or tents; Leviticus 23:37-43). This feast was to be celebrated from the 15th to the 22nd of the seventh month and they had discovered this on the second day of the seventh month (Neh 8:2,13) so it was perfect timing. So the people went out and collected branches of various trees and made tents for themselves on their roofs and in their courtyards. They lived in those tents for seven days as commanded. When you read God’s word, are you moved to do what it says? When God’s word convicts you of sin, you don’t need to mourn, God’s mercy and Jesus’ death on the cross have dealt with that sin, instead rejoice in your forgiveness, get up and live God’s way today!