Read the Passage: Nehemiah 8

Reading of Scripture (8:1–8)

Nehemiah 8 begins in the fall of 445 BC, about a week after the completion of the wall. In Neh. 8:2 we read that “Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women.” While Ezra is the author of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, this is the first time he is mentioned by name in Nehemiah. Note that Ezra had been in Jerusalem since about 458 BC, when he led a group of at least 7,000 people back from Persia to Israel (cf. Ezra 7–10). Therefore, Ezra was in Jerusalem for more than a decade before Nehemiah even arrived in the city. Ezra’s ministry in the city during this time likely involved encouragement toward rebuilding other parts of Jerusalem, as well as teaching the people Scripture. In Neh. 8:1–3 Ezra gathered all of the people together and read to them the law of God “from morning until midday” (Neh. 8:3). This would have been a period of five or six hours.

Neh. 8:4–8 discloses more information about Ezra’s reading of Scripture to the gathered crowd. First, the text reports that “a platform of wood . . . had [been] made for the purpose” (Neh. 8:4) of reading Scripture to the people. This platform was large enough to hold several people, and tall enough such that Ezra “was standing above all the people” (Neh. 8:5). Second, Neh. 8:4 lists thirteen other men who were on the platform with Ezra. These men were likely priests whose presence on the platform was a show of unity and agreement with Ezra. Third, the people were apparently standing for the entirety of the reading of Scripture (cf. Neh. 8:5, 7). Moreover, Neh. 8:6 indicates that their actions also included raising hands, saying “Amen,” and worshiping God. Fourth, there were a group of men who helped explain the meaning of the law to the people (cf. Neh. 8:7–8). These men were likely other scribes and Levites.

Lamenting over Sin (8:9–12)

Neh. 8:9 records that Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Levites proclaimed to the gathered people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God, do not mourn nor weep.” The fact that the crowds needed to be exhorted not to lament indicates that this was their natural reaction to the reading of Scripture (cf. Rom. 3:20). Apparently, the law of God reminded the people that God punishes sin; however, Scripture also teaches that God blesses obedience. Indeed, the completion of the rebuilding of the city wall was intended to be a time of celebration, therefore Nehemiah taught, “This day is holy to the Lord; do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). A different way to translate the last clause in this verse is, “Your strength comes from rejoicing in the Lord.” The idea here is sinful humans can carry on in the fallen world if they know God is pleased with them.

Celebrating a Feast (8:13–18)

While the Jews had been back in the Promised Land for more than 90 years, and they had rebuilt the temple and the wall of Jerusalem, the regular rhythm of feasts and festivals specified in the ceremonial law was apparently not being practiced. Furthermore, Ezra’s reading of the law was evidently not a one-day event, for Neh. 8:13 notes that on the second day the leaders all “gathered [again] to Ezra the scribe in order to understand the words of the law.” As they read the law together, Neh. 8:14 notes the leaders found the portion of the law regarding the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths). This feast, which was intended to be a commemoration of God’s protection and provision during the Jews’ wilderness wanderings, is specified in Lev. 23:33–36; Num. 29:12–38; and Deut. 16:13–17. Subsequently, the leaders instructed the people to prepare to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

At Deut. 16:16 the Pentateuch specified three feasts on which all Jewish males were to appear before the Lord and to offer a sacrifice. These were: (1) The Feast of Unleavened Bread, (2) The Feast of Weeks, and (3) The Feast of Tabernacles. Thus, those who heard Ezra read the law were eager to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, as its time was upon them (cf. Neh. 7:73). At the command of their leaders, the people “made themselves booths” (Neh. 8:16). The text records that these booths covered the housetops, courtyards, and open squares of Jerusalem. In fact, these booths were so numerous, and the festival kept with such joy, that it was as if the Feast of Tabernacles had not been celebrated “since the days of Joshua the son of Nun. . . . and there was very great gladness” (Neh. 8:17). Moreover, Neh. 8:18 reports that Ezra read from the book of the law each day of the seven days of the feast.

Application Questions:

1. What did Paul mean in teaching, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (cf. Isa. 55:11; 1 Cor. 1:21; Titus 1:3; Jas. 1:18, 21; 1 Pet. 1:23)?
2. Does your church give attention to “to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, [and] to teaching” (1 Tim. 4:13)?
3. How can we explain the attentiveness of the gathered crowd to the Scripture as it was read and taught to them for many hours?
4. When you read Scripture, are you more naturally inclined toward joy or toward sorrow? What is the proper balance?
5. Why are Christian celebrations (e.g., holidays, ordinances, etc.) important events in the life of church?