NEHEMIAH 8:1 The Reading of the Law, and Covenant Renewal. In this long section, the Book of the Law is solemnly read, the Feast of Booths is kept, and a great act of covenant renewal is performed. For the first time in this book, Ezra enters the story. This shows the unity of his and Nehemiah’s pro... [ Continue Reading ]
NEHEMIAH—NOTE ON NEHEMIAH 8:2 The inclusion of both MEN AND WOMEN is stressed, since the strict keeping of the great Jerusalem feasts was expected of men only (Deuteronomy 16:16). ALL WHO COULD UNDERSTAND. “Understanding” is a key theme in this chapter, since it was vital that all should know God’s... [ Continue Reading ]
NEHEMIAH—NOTE ON NEHEMIAH 8:3 FROM EARLY MORNING UNTIL MIDDAY. The book was lengthy, and there may have been frequent pauses for explanation (see note on v. 7). OPENED THE BOOK. The act of reading, in this setting, is also a corporate act of worship. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName... [ Continue Reading ]
NEHEMIAH—NOTE ON NEHEMIAH 8:7 The LEVITES presumably moved among the crowd, ensuring that all could UNDERSTAND. Such interpretation was one of their special tasks (see Deuteronomy 33:10; 2 Chronicles 17:7). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTa [ Continue Reading ]
NEHEMIAH 8:9 The People Are to Be Joyful. Though sorrow for sin was the desired response to the teaching, joy at renewed relationship with God was its ultimate purpose. THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH. As the people rejoiced in God, he would show himself strong to help and defend them. EAT... D... [ Continue Reading ]
NEHEMIAH 8:13 The People Keep the Feast of Booths. This family-oriented festival highlighted God’s protection of Israel in the desert, before the conquest of Canaan. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
NEHEMIAH—NOTE ON NEHEMIAH 8:17 JESHUA is another form of “Joshua.” HAD NOT DONE SO. Although the Feast of Booths had been celebrated on occasion (see 1 Kings 8:65; 2 Chronicles 7:9; Ezra 3:4), it had apparently not been celebrated in this way (with such great joy, or in such unsettled conditions, or... [ Continue Reading ]