Nehemiah 8:10 - Exposition

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 16:14 ). And for yourselves, remember that the joy of the Lord , i.e. religious joy, constitutes your strength .