Nehemiah 8

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:8-12

Penitence turned into praise. I. ALL TRUE REJOICING MUST BE FOUNDED ON RECONCILIATION WITH GOD . 1. The righteousness of God in his law, while it condemns man, and makes the people to weep when they see their sin in its light, is yet declared not for condemnation, but for reconciliation. 2. The true ministers of God will proclaim mercy, not judgment, as the substance of their message. "This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep." There is a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:9

Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha . The term "Tirshatha" had previously been applied only to Zerubbabel ( Ezra 2:63 ; Nehemiah 7:65 ), but it was applicable to any governor. The writer of the section, introducing Nehemiah here for the first time, naturally gives him a title of reverence. Nehemiah's modesty had made him content to describe himself by the general and comparatively weak term pechah. Said unto the people … Mourn not . A combined remonstrance is made against the open grief... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:9

Penitential sorrow. "All the people wept when they heard the words of the law." I. A NATURAL SORROW . "By the law is the knowledge of sin," and this knowledge cannot but awaken sorrow as to— 1. Guilt contracted. The law is seen to be . The Sabbath day, as originally instituted, was far from being the gloomy season which some represent; and of the other seasons set apart for special religious observance, only one was a fast, all the rest were festivals for the commemoration of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:9-12

Religious emotion. The scene through which the redeemed and now secured nation was passing was fruitful of excitement. Everything conspired to affect the minds and stir the souls of the people. Large multitudes are soon wrought into intense feeling, and all that the assembled Israelites were then seeing, hearing, and doing,—this, taken with all they. recalled of old scenes and past glories, and these experiences and recollections mingled with reviving hopes of future freedom,—all together... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:10

Then he said . Either Ezra or Nehemiah, but probably the former, to whom it appertained to give religious directions . Eat the fat and drink the sweet . i.e. "Go and enjoy yourselves, eat and drink of the best—let there be no fasting, nor even abstinence, on such a day as this." But at the same time send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared . Make the poor partakers of your joy. "The stranger, the fatherless, and the widow" should have their part in the feast ( Deuteronomy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:11

Comfort for penitents. "Neither be ye grieved." God's word grieves, yet soon says, " Be ye not grieved." I. TO WHOM THIS MAY BE SAID . 1. To true penitents. Such as mourn over sin with a "godly sorrow," and seek mercy through the mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ; whether sinners first awakened, or Christians conscious of recent sin. 2. To all such. Even the chief of sinners, the worst of backsliders. II. ON WHAT GROUNDS IT MAY BE SAID . 1.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:12

To make great mirth . Or "great rejoicing," not "mirth" in the sense which the word now commonly bears. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:13-18

An influential congregation. Account of a smaller gathering than that recorded in the first part of the chapter, but likely from its character to be equally or more fruitful of good. I. THE MEETING CONVENED ( Nehemiah 8:13 ). 1. The congregation. Select; consisting of the principal heads of houses, priests, and Levites. 2. Their design. To study the law with a view to the better understanding of it. 3. Their teacher. The ablest doctor of the day. II. THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:13-18

Keeping the feast. "On the second day," the day after the great and affecting assembly of all the citizens, came together a representative company, "the chief of the fathers of all the people" ( Nehemiah 8:13 ), beside the priests and Levites, to "understand" or consider the law, that they might encourage all the children of Israel to a regular and faithful observance of it. This gathering led at once to— I. AN ACT OF REVIVED AND REJOICING OBEDIENCE . For "they found... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:8-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:9-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:13-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:13-18

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands