Nehemiah 8:7-12

Nehemiah 8:7-12 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them. When the people heard what the Book of the Law said, they were crushed. They had been disobeying God’s laws. But Ezra and Nehemiah stopped them. They reminded them that because they were listening to God’s Words, they could repent. First you hear what sinners you are – that is the bad part. But because you hear that you are a sinner, you learn. Then you can repent and make a change – that is the good part. Nehemiah said, “Don’t weep. enjoy God’s goodness. Hold a feast and honor God.” And that’s exactly what they did!