READING OF THE LAW.-- Nehemiah 8:1-12. GOLDEN TEXT. --_ So they read in the book, in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading._. Nehemiah 8:8. TIME. --B. C. 445. PLACE. --Jerusalem. HELPFUL READINGS. -- Ezra 3:1-7; Ezra 7:1-10; Deuteronomy 31:9-13; Lev... [ Continue Reading ]
BROUGHT THE LAW BEFORE THE CONGREGATION, BOTH OF MEN AND WOMEN. It is to be noted that the teaching was not confined to the male sex, but all were present of both sexes who "could hear with understanding," all except little children.. nation is at least as much benefited by the education of the wom... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE READ... FROM THE MORNING UNTIL THE MIDDAY. This was continued on the second day, (verse 13) and probably each day during the feast. It must be ever borne in mind that there were then no printed books, and no paper if the art of printing had been known. Parchment was scarce and costly, and he... [ Continue Reading ]
EZRA THE SCRIBE STOOD ON. PULPIT OF WOOD. This lofty pulpit enabled him to be seen and to see all. Beside him were thirteen assistants who are named, all probably priests, who had duties connected with the temple service. Only. few of the names mentioned occur elsewhere, as Hilkiah, Nehemiah 12:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE OPENED IT ALL THE PEOPLE STOOD UP. This is. significant statement. When the Holy Book was opened the people arose in respect and attention. Compare this profound reverence of the word of the Lord with the light and flippant reading and the irreverent listening now so common. How can there b... [ Continue Reading ]
EZRA BLESSED THE LORD.... THE PEOPLE ANSWERED, AMEN. The description of the solemn devotion before engaging in the sacred study, is full of interest. First, Ezra asked the Divine blessing. The people did not sit in silence, but responded, "Amen, Amen," lifting their hands in supplication. In the He... [ Continue Reading ]
AND JESHUA, AND BANI, ETC.,.. CAUSED THE PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND. These persons, Levites, and probably the heads of Levitical families, are named again in chapter 9:4, 5, as discharging very important duties. Upon this occasion it is not entirely clear how they "made the people to understand." It is p... [ Continue Reading ]
NEHEMIAH, WHICH IS THE TIRSHATHA, AND EZRA THE PRIEST THE SCRIBE, AND THE LEVITES. The conductors of the festivities of the day, are all named here together. Nehemiah is called the Tirshatha, the Persian title for governor, here for the first time, though in chapter 7:65 the term is used. Ezra is n... [ Continue Reading ]
SEND PORTIONS FOR WHOM NOTHING IS PREPARED. It was the direction of the law that the enjoyment of the great feasts should be extended to the poor, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow (Deuteronomy 16:11-14). Hence, it became customary to send portions to those who were not present as partaker... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THE LEVITES STILLED THE PEOPLE. Probably those named in verse 7. They acted as the agents of Nehemiah and Ezra to make their words and wishes known. Now they repressed all manifestations of grief, and caused it to be understood that this was. feast of joy. During the exile the great feasts, cele... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTOOD THE WORDS. They restrained all sorrow and ate and drank and sent portions and made "great mirth," because they "understood" the request of Nehemiah and Ezra, and that it was reasonable. On the next day they gathered again to the reading and Leviticus 23:34, which gives dire... [ Continue Reading ]