18. Also day by day . . . he read in the book of the law of God—This was more than was enjoined ( :-), 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 (see on :-). In later times, other ceremonies which increased the rejoicing were added ( :-). read more
The Feast of Tabernacles 8:13-18Note that the spiritually revived people had an insatiable appetite to learn more about God’s Word. This is a normal outcome of true revival.Perhaps part of what Ezra and his associates read to the people, or at least to the leaders, included Leviticus 23 (Nehemiah 8:13). In Leviticus 23, God called on the Jews to observe the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths) on the fifteenth through the twenty-first days of the seventh month (Leviticus 23:34-36). This was a happy... read more
The Reading of the Law by Ezra1. The street] RV ’the broad place’: and so in Nehemiah 8:3, Nehemiah 8:16. The water gate] This probably led to the spring of Gihon (the Virgin’s spring).2. Ezra] It has been argued in the note on Ezra 10:44 that the effort to fortify Jerusalem described in Ezra 4:6-23 was made whilst Ezra was present there, and that the failure of it destroyed for a time his influence among his countrymen. The interval that elapsed between the destruction of the newly-built walls... read more
(13-18) The Feast of Tabernacles. read more
(18) According unto the manner.—For the Azereth, or supplementary feast day, see Leviticus 23:36. read more
The Curse Turned Into a Blessing Nehemiah 8:2 Refers to the time when Balak sent for Balaam to curse Israel. I. God Turns His Own Curses into Blessings. 1. Toil: leads to self-denial and self-sacrifice. 2. Difficulty: calls forth energy and develops strength. 3. Danger: awakens courage and fortitude. 4. Pain: reminds us of the evil of sin. 5. Sorrow: acts as a refiner's fire. II. God Turns Man's Curses into Blessings. The crucifixion of Christ was the means of man's redemption. The blood of... read more
THE JOY OF THE LORDNehemiah 8:9-18"ALL the people wept when they heard the words of the law." Was it for this mournful end that Ezra had studied the sacred law and guarded it through the long years of political unrest, until at length he was able to make it known with all the pomp and circumstance of a national festival? Evidently the leaders of the people had expected no such result. But disappointing as it was, it might have been worse. The reading might have been listened to with... read more
II. THE SPIRITUAL REVIVAL CHAPTER 8 1. The reading of the law before the water gate (Nehemiah 8:1-8 ) 2. A day of joy and not of mourning (Nehemiah 8:9-12 ) 3. The keeping of the feast of tabernacles (Nehemiah 8:13-18 ) Nehemiah 8:1-8 . 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... read more
THE READING OF THE LAW (vv. 1-12) We have seen at the end of chapter 6 the wall was completed, and in chapter 7 appointments were made for the proper order to be maintained in the city. Now another matter of greatest importance is set before the people of Judah. Just as in any revival, the Word of God must be given the foremost place, so it is in chapter 8. For the first time in this book Ezra the scribe is mentioned. This man shows a lovely spirit. Though his ministry was absolutely... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Nehemiah 8:18
Nehemiah 8:18. 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 2Ma 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... read more