Nehemiah 8: No Time for Tears
Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.
Nehemiah alone is impressive, but when paired with Ezra, he is downright indomitable. The two make a perfect combination. Nehemiah, emboldened by good political connections, inspires others with his hands-on management style and his fearless optimism. Ezra leads more by moral force than by personality. He can trace his priestly lineage all the way back to Moses’ brother Aaron, and he seems singularly determined to restore integrity to that office.
The action in chapter 8 takes place after Nehemiah has completed the arduous task of repairing the wall. Safe at last from their enemies, the Jews gather together in hopes of regaining some sense of national identify. As their spiritual leader, Ezra addresses the huge crowd. He stands on a platform and begins to read from a document nearly 1000 years old, the scroll that contains the Israelites’ original covenant with God.
As Ezra reads the ancient words, weeping spreads through the multitude. The Bible does not explain the reason for their tears. Are the people feeling guilt over their long history of breaking the covenant? Or are they feeling nostalgia over the favored days when Israel had full independence? Whatever the reason, this is no time for tears.
People sometimes think of the Old Testament as gloomy. In verses 9-12, however, Israel’s leaders urge the people to stop weeping. Nehemiah and Ezra send out orders to prepare for a huge feast and celebration. Sadness, they say, does not suit a sacred day. Indeed, God wants joy, not mourning. The reading of the law leads to an eight-day celebration and camp out. God’s chosen people are being rebuilt, just as surely as the stone walls of Jerusalem have been.
Life Question: How important is the Bible in your life? Does it ever produce a powerful emotional effect (like the one seen in Nehemiah 8) in you?
Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.
Nehemiah alone is impressive, but when paired with Ezra, he is downright indomitable. The two make a perfect combination. Nehemiah, emboldened by good political connections, inspires others with his hands-on management style and his fearless optimism. Ezra leads more by moral force than by personality. He can trace his priestly lineage all the way back to Moses’ brother Aaron, and he seems singularly determined to restore integrity to that office.
The action in chapter 8 takes place after Nehemiah has completed the arduous task of repairing the wall. Safe at last from their enemies, the Jews gather together in hopes of regaining some sense of national identify. As their spiritual leader, Ezra addresses the huge crowd. He stands on a platform and begins to read from a document nearly 1000 years old, the scroll that contains the Israelites’ original covenant with God.
As Ezra reads the ancient words, weeping spreads through the multitude. The Bible does not explain the reason for their tears. Are the people feeling guilt over their long history of breaking the covenant? Or are they feeling nostalgia over the favored days when Israel had full independence? Whatever the reason, this is no time for tears.
People sometimes think of the Old Testament as gloomy. In verses 9-12, however, Israel’s leaders urge the people to stop weeping. Nehemiah and Ezra send out orders to prepare for a huge feast and celebration. Sadness, they say, does not suit a sacred day. Indeed, God wants joy, not mourning. The reading of the law leads to an eight-day celebration and camp out. God’s chosen people are being rebuilt, just as surely as the stone walls of Jerusalem have been.
Life Question: How important is the Bible in your life? Does it ever produce a powerful emotional effect (like the one seen in Nehemiah 8) in you?
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I can honestly say that for too many years, I never saw the relevance or value of reading parts of the Bible, especially the Old Testament. I had always assumed that these books were an outdated message for folks living in the modern day. But, having taken the time this past year to really study God’s chosen people, it’s pretty evident that they endured similar turmoil’s and mistakes that we do today. The names and locations are different, but in reality…the lessons are the same: God loves us unconditionally, and we need to live our lives in such a way to show honor to Him who has granted us His grace and given us His Son.
1 comment:
I am reminded of a Bible verse song based on the fact that God will change your "Mourning into Dancing". The Bible often refers to repentance that leads to Godly living. The most important aspect of faith in Christ is the New Covenant. God has always opporated on this premise that He is a Faithful-Promise-Keeper. Just like us, the people moved away from their own Covenant with the Lord. It is of necessity that we,from time to time, renew our vows.
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