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Nehemiah's Rebuilding of the Wall Leads to the Feast of Tabernacles
March 26, 2016

Last week we learned the names of those who returned to Jerusalem when the environment was still hostile. Even though the wall was built, the gates could only be opened in the middle of the day, when it was bright enough outside with no place for enemies to hide in the shadows. This week, we read the inhabitants of the city gather by the Water Gate to have Ezra the Scribe read from the scriptures, and they learn about the Feast of Tabernacles during a reading on the Feast of Trumpets, the first day of the seventh month.

Nehemiah 8:1-5
And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

Ezra was needed to read the law as many people could not read. Religious leaders, the elite, and political leaders could read, but the average person could not. That is in sharp contrast to today where the average person can read. Back in Nehemiah's time, there was so much respect for God's Word, that the people stood in respect to hear it. Today, even though the average person can read, the average person does not have the same level of respect for God's Word.

Nehemiah 8:6-10
And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Ezra started the reading be blessing and praying to God. Ezra was able to show the inhabitants that they had gathered on a holy day causing the people to cry. Ezra urged the people to not cry and instructed them to eat the fat and drink the sweet and to share this with those who were without; what today would be called a feast. Ezra showed that the feast days are a reminder that the Lord is our strength.

Nehemiah 8:11-18
So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them. And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law. And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month: And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written. So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim. And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness. 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.

The inhabitants of Jerusalem found out that this feast was an eight day celebration, the Feast of Tabernacles, so everyone enjoyed the food, the fellowship, and even made booths, a temporary living structure, that might have looked like a primitive tent.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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