Nehemiah 8:18

_ALSO DAY BY DAY, FROM THE FIRST DAY UNTO THE LAST DAY, HE READ IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW OF GOD. AND THEY KEPT THE FEAST SEVEN DAYS; AND ON THE EIGHTH DAY WAS A SOLEMN ASSEMBLY, ACCORDING UNTO THE MANNER._ ALSO DAY BY DAY ... HE READ IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW OF GOD. This was more than was enjoined (Deuteronomy 31:10), and arose from the exuberant zeal of the time. ON THE EIGHTH DAY WAS A SOLEMN ASSEMBLY. This was the last and great day of the feast (Num. 30:35). In later times other ceremonies, which increased the rejoicing, were added (John 7:37)....

13-18 They found written in the law about the feast of tabernacles. Those who diligently search the Scriptures, find things written there which they have forgotten. This feast of tabernacles was a representation of the believer's tabernacle state in this world, and a type of the holy joy of the gospel church. The conversion of the nations to the faith of Christ, is foretold under the figure of this feast, Zechariah 14:16. True religion will render us strangers and pilgrims upon earth. We read and hear the word acceptably and profitably, when we do according to what is written therein; when what appears to be our duty is revived, after it has been neglected. They minded the substance; else the ceremony had been of no use. They did it, rejoicing in God and his goodness. These are the means which the Spirit of God crowns with success, in bringing the hearts of sinners to tremble and to bec...

EXPOSITION NEHEMIAH 8:13 AND ON THE SECOND DAY WERE GATHERED TOGETHER THE CHIEF OF THE FATHERS. At times it is true that "increase of appetite doth grow by what it feeds on." Once let the sweetness of the Divine word be tasted and appreciated, and there springs up in the heart instantly a desire for more—a wish to continue in the study—a feeling like that of the Psalmist when he said, "Lord, what love have I unto thy law: _all the day long _is my study in it" (Psalms 119:97). The Jews, taught by Ezra in the law of God on the first day of the month, return to him on the second, desirous of hearing more, hungering and thirsting after the word of life, of which they have felt the power and the excellency. TO UNDERSTAND. Rather,

II. THE SPIRITUAL REVIVAL CHAPTER 8 _ 1. The reading of the law before the water gate (Nehemiah 8:1)_ 2. A day of joy and not of mourning (Nehemiah 8:9) 3. The keeping of the feast of tabernacles (Nehemiah 8:13) Nehemiah 8:1. This interesting chapter gives the record of a gracious revival through the reading of the law. All the people gathered themselves together as one man in the street that was before the water gate, the place which suggests the cleansing and refreshing power of the Word. And as a united people they had but one desire, to hear the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded, to I

CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES. The further reading of the Law and its more minute study show that this is just the time at which the Feast of Tabernacles ought to be celebrated; the people, who are apparently quite ignorant of this feast, forthwith proceed to celebrate it. Nehemiah 8:14. they found written in the law: see Exodus 23:26; Leviticus 23:39; Numbers 29:12; Deuteronomy 16:13. Nehemiah 8:17. for since

HE. Some codices, with Syriac, read "they". ASSEMBLY. restraint: i.e. restraint from work. MANNER. regulation, or ordinance. Nehemiah 9:1 Nehemiah 10:39 is parallel with Ezra 9:1 Ezra 10:44.Ezra 4:1; Ezra 4:1 Ezra 8:36 comes between Nehemiah 8:18 with...

_he read_ i.e. Ezra. This is the usual explanation, so also LXX. ἀνέγνω. Vulg. -legit." According to another interpretation the 3rd pers. sing. is impersonal = -and one read," -there was reading." _in the book of the law of God_ The command to read at the Feast of Tabernacles only applied to the special usage of the Sabbatic year (Deuteronomy 31:10-11), and it is clear from the context in that passage that Moses in using the words -thou shalt read this law" (Deuteronomy 31:11) is speaking especially of the Deuteronomic law which he is described as having written and committed to the priests in Deuteronomy 31:9 and...

A SOLEMN ASSEMBLY, ACCORDING UNTO THE MANNER— It is supposed to have been at this solemnity that the notable discovery happened of the sacred fire, related Exodus 1:18, &c. The Jews affirm, that Jeremiah, or some other prophet, had caused it to be hidden in a dry well, a little before the taking of Jerusalem; and that the memory of it having been still preserved to that time, Nehemiah caused it to be brought out for the divine service. In memory of this wonderful discovery, the Jews instituted a feast, which they called "the feast of the new fire." See Univ. Hist. REFLECTIONS.—1st, It was not the restoration of the temple-service, nor the rebuilding of the ruined wall, that was their great protection. Obedience was better than sacrifice, and fidelity to God a stronger barrier than the loftiest towers. The people here seem to be sensible of this. 1. A great congregation

3. The Feast of Tabernacles, or Booths, is rediscovered. TEXT, NEHEMIAH 8:13-18 13 Then on the second day the heads of fathers-' households of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might gain insight into the words of the law. 14 And they found written in the law how the LORD had commanded through Moses that the sons of Israel should live in booths during the feast of the seventh month. 15 So they proclaimed and circulated a proclamation in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, Go out, to the hills., and bring olive branches, and wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written. 16 So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts, and in the co

8:18 read (a-14) Or 'one read;' 'there was reading.'...