Nehemiah 8

In Nehemiah 8, during the seventh month of the Jewish calendar, Ezra reads the Law to the community near the Water Gate. Many are illiterate, lack copies of the Law, or don't understand Hebrew. Despite tears, Nehemiah calls for rejoicing, emphasizing joyful obedience and instant response to God's commands. The people prepare for the Feast of Tabernacles.

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In Nehemiah 8, it is the seventh month of the Jewish religious calendar. For any number of reasons, the community calls for a public reading of the book of the Law (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). Ezra the priest is the primary reader and several speakers and translators relay the message to the large crowd gathered near the Water Gate of Jerusalem.

Three reasons for this public reading of Scripture:

1. The average person was illiterate.

2. The average person didn’t own a copy of the Law.

3. Some of the crowd did not know Hebrew.

As Ezra reads, the people begin to weep. Perhaps they are realizing how far off they are from faithfulness to God’s law. But Nehemiah says that today is a day for rejoicing, and he instructs them to have a joyful celebration that night, sharing food with those who need it.

The next day the people regather for further reading of the Law. They appear to get to Leviticus 23 where the instructions are given for Sukkot (“The Feast of Tabernacles”). They disperse to prepare for the coming festival later that month.

Two features of the people’s response to the reading of the Law are worth emulating:

1. Instant obedience - When they learn about Sukkot, they drop everything and hold the

feast.

2. Joyful obedience - They respond to the call from Nehemiah, and in Leviticus 23, that it

be a joyous celebration, even though their initial feelings caused them to weep.

New Testament Scriptures to read:

● Philippians 4:4

● Galatians 5:22-25

● Romans 14:17-18

Questions for Discussion/Reflection:

○ What are ways that delayed obedience could be considered disobedience?

○ What are some feelings you have right now or have had recently that should be turned to rejoicing?

Session 08

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