THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH

Nehemiah 8:1-12 / Keywords 8:10b

This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

 

8:1 all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.

2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

4 Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.

5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear[a] and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”

12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

Footnotes

a. Nehemiah 8:8 Or God, translating it

1. After establishing the people's genealogical purity, Nehemiah had Ezra the priest read the Law of Moses. The first day of the seventh month was the beginning of the Jewish holiday to celebrate God's creation of the world. It was significant to have men, women, and children assemble to hear the word of God during this festival (2).

2. Ezra stood on a wooden podium facing the assembly. As he spoke, the people shouted, 'Amen! Amen!' and worshiped the LORD. The Levites were there to help them understand the meaning of the Law (8). It continued from early morning to mid-day and people listened attentively (3).

3. When the people heard the Law, people started weeping. They must have been remorseful to find themselves in sin, falling far from the holy Lord. Nehemiah encouraged the people not to grieve but to find their strength in the joy of the LORD (10). It was time to celebrate the new understanding of the word they received by the grace of the LORD (12). Despite their sin and inequity, they had a reason to rejoice when they realized the grace of the LORD.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for helping me find a joy in your words. I find my life and hope in your word. Help me to preach your word to those who are thirsty and help them to understand. Help us to celebrate and rejoice in your grace.

One Word I find my strength in your word