Session 14: Building the Altar and Keeping the Feast (part 2)

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Nehemiah’s Point of View

Purpose of the Passage (Neh. 7:73–8:18)
- Records the spiritual and instructional progression leading to full observance of the feast of tabernacles.
- Complements Ezra 3:1–6.
- Ezra emphasizes sacrificial obedience.
- Nehemiah emphasizes understanding leading to joyful obedience.
Transitional Setting After the Census (Neh. 7:73)
- Priests, Levites, porters, singers, Nethinims, and all Israel dwell in their cities.
- Stability has been achieved.
- The seventh month arrives while the people are settled.
Assembly of the People (Neh. 8:1)
- All the people gather as one man.
- Location: the street before the water gate.
- The people request Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses.
- The law is identified as commanded by the LORD to Israel.
Public Reading of the Law (Neh. 8:2–3)
- Ezra brings the law before the congregation.
- Audience includes men, women, and all who could hear with understanding.
- Reading takes place from morning until midday.
- Location remains the street before the water gate.
- The people are attentive to the book of the law.
Ezra’s Position and the People’s Response (Neh. 8:4–6)
- Ezra stands on a pulpit of wood made for the purpose.
- Named men stand beside him on the right and left.
- When the book is opened:
  - All the people stand.
  - Ezra blesses the LORD, the great God.
  - The people respond, “Amen, Amen,” lifting their hands.
  - They bow their heads and worship with faces to the ground.
Instruction and Explanation of the Law (Neh. 8:7–8)
- Named Levites assist in instruction.
- They cause the people to understand the law.
- The law is read distinctly.
- The sense is given.
- The people understand the reading.
Emotional Response and Pastoral Direction (Neh. 8:9–11)
- The people weep when they hear the words of the law.
- Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites declare the day holy unto the LORD.
- The people are instructed not to mourn or weep.
- Commands given:
  - Go their way.
  - Eat the fat.
  - Drink the sweet.
  - Send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared.
- Reason given: “the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
- The Levites still the people and reaffirm the holiness of the day.
Obedient Celebration (Neh. 8:12)
- The people go their way.
- They eat, drink, send portions, and make great mirth.
- Cause: they understood the words declared unto them.
Second-Day Study by Leaders (Neh. 8:13)
- Chiefs of the fathers, priests, and Levites gather to Ezra.
- Purpose: to understand the words of the law.
Discovery of the Command to Dwell in Booths (Neh. 8:14–15)
- Written command found in the law of Moses.
- Israel commanded to dwell in booths in the seventh month.
- Proclamation made throughout Jerusalem and the cities.
- Instructions include gathering branches:
  - Olive
  - Pine
  - Myrtle
  - Palm
  - Thick trees
- Purpose: to make booths, as it is written.
Construction and Location of the Booths (Neh. 8:16)
- The people go forth and bring branches.
- Booths are constructed:
  - On rooftops
  - In courts
  - In the courts of the house of God
  - In the street of the water gate
  - In the street of the gate of Ephraim
National Observance and Historical Note (Neh. 8:17)
- All the congregation that returned from captivity dwell in booths.
- Such an observance had not occurred since the days of Joshua.
- Emphasis likely on:
  - National participation.
  - Actual dwelling in booths (Lev. 23:42).
- Result: very great gladness.
Conclusion of the Feast (Neh. 8:18)
- Ezra reads from the book of the law daily.
- Duration: first day through the last day.
- The feast is kept seven days.
- The eighth day concludes with a solemn assembly according to the manner.

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