“Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding… And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people STOOD UP. And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while LIFTING UP THEIR HANDS. And they BOWED their heads and WORSHIPED THE LORD with their faces to the ground.” (Nehemiah 8:2, 5-6) Everyone hearing the Word of God, was respectful and very anxious to hear the Word.
“And Nehemiah, Ezra the priest, and the Levites who taught the people said, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; DO NOT MOURN NOR WEEP.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for THIS DAY IS HOLY TO OUR LORD. DO NOT SORROW, FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH.” (Nehemiah 8:9-10)
“And they found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should DWELL IN BOOTHS during the feast of the seventh month…” (Nehemiah 8:14) The feast of the seventh month, also known as the FEAST OF BOOTHS or Shelters, holds both prophetic and symbolic significance. It occurs on the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the Hebrew calendar. During this seven-day festival, the children of Israel were commanded to DWELL IN BOOTHS OR SHELTERS made from olive branches, oil trees, myrtle branches, and palm branches. So, they would go out and gather material to make booths to dwell in for those 7 days. OH, THAT WE WOULD LOVE THE WORD OF GOD AND LOVE OBEYING GOD.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham