mh_parser/vol_split/16 - Nehemiah/Chapter 8.xml

<div2 id="Neh.ix" n="ix" next="Neh.x" prev="Neh.viii" progress="94.78%" title="Chapter VIII">
<h2 id="Neh.ix-p0.1">N E H E M I A H</h2>
<h3 id="Neh.ix-p0.2">CHAP. VIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Neh.ix-p1">Ezra came up out of Babylon thirteen years before
Nehemiah came, yet we have here a piece of good work which he did,
that might have been done before, but was not done till Nehemiah
came, who, though he was not such a scholar nor such a divine as
Ezra, nor such a scribe in the law of his God, yet was a man of a
more lively active spirit. His zeal set Ezra's learning on work,
and then great things were done, as we find here, where we have, I.
The public and solemn reading and expounding of the law, <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.1-Neh.8.8" parsed="|Neh|8|1|8|8" passage="Ne 8:1-8">ver. 1-8</scripRef>. II. The joy which the
people were ordered to express upon that occasion, <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.9-Neh.8.12" parsed="|Neh|8|9|8|12" passage="Ne 8:9-12">ver. 9-12</scripRef>. III. The solemn keeping
of the feast of tabernacles according to the law, <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.13-Neh.8.18" parsed="|Neh|8|13|8|18" passage="Ne 8:13-18">ver. 13-18</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Neh.ix-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8" parsed="|Neh|8|0|0|0" passage="Ne 8" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Neh.ix-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.1-Neh.8.8" parsed="|Neh|8|1|8|8" passage="Ne 8:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Neh.8.1-Neh.8.8">
<h4 id="Neh.ix-p1.6">The Explanation of the Law. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Neh.ix-p1.7">b. c.</span> 444.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Neh.ix-p2">1 And all the people gathered themselves
together as one man into the street that <i>was</i> before the
water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book
of the law of Moses, which the <span class="smallcaps" id="Neh.ix-p2.1">Lord</span>
had commanded to Israel.   2 And Ezra the priest brought the
law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that
could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh
month.   3 And he read therein before the street that
<i>was</i> before the water gate from the morning until midday,
before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and
the ears of all the people <i>were attentive</i> unto the book of
the law.   4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood,
which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood
Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and
Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and
Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah,
<i>and</i> Meshullam.   5 And Ezra opened the book in the
sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and
when he opened it, all the people stood up:   6 And Ezra
blessed the <span class="smallcaps" id="Neh.ix-p2.2">Lord</span>, the great God. And
all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands:
and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the <span class="smallcaps" id="Neh.ix-p2.3">Lord</span> with <i>their</i> faces to the ground.
  7 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 <i>stood</i> in their place.   8 So they read
in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and
caused <i>them</i> to understand the reading.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.ix-p3">We have here an account of a solemn
religious assembly, and the good work that was done in that
assembly, to the honour of God and the edification of the
church.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.ix-p4">I. The time of it was the <i>first day of
the seventh month,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.2" parsed="|Neh|8|2|0|0" passage="Ne 8:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>. That was the day of the <i>feast of trumpets,</i>
which is called a <i>sabbath,</i> and on which they were to have a
<i>holy convocation,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.23.24 Bible:Num.29.1" parsed="|Lev|23|24|0|0;|Num|29|1|0|0" passage="Le 23:24,Nu 29:1">Lev.
xxiii. 24; Num. xxix. 1</scripRef>. But that was not all: it was
one that day that the altar was set up, and they began to offer
their burnt-offerings after their return out of captivity, a recent
mercy in the memory of many then living; in a thankful remembrance
of that, it is likely, they had kept this feast ever since with
more than ordinary solemnity. Divine favours which are fresh in
mind, and which we ourselves have been witnesses of, should be, and
usually are, most affecting.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.ix-p5">II. The place was in the <i>street that was
before the water-gate</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.1" parsed="|Neh|8|1|0|0" passage="Ne 8:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>), a spacious broad street, able to contain so great a
multitude, which the court of the temple was not; for probably it
was not now built nearly so large as it had been in Solomon's time.
Sacrifices were to be offered only at the door of the temple, but
praying, and praising, and preaching, were, and are, services of
religion as acceptably performed in one place as in another. When
this congregation thus met in the street of the city no doubt God
was with them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.ix-p6">III. The persons that met were all the
people, who were not compelled to come, but voluntarily gathered
themselves together by common agreement, as one man: not only men
came, but women and children, even as many as were capable of
understanding what they heard. Masters of families should bring
their families with them to the public worship of God. Women and
children have souls to save, and are therefore concerned to
acquaint themselves with the word of God and attend on the means of
knowledge and grace. Little ones, as they come to the exercise of
reason, must be trained up in the exercises of religion.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.ix-p7">IV. The master of this assembly was Ezra
the priest; he presided in this service. None so fit to expound and
preach as he who was such a ready scribe in the law of his God. 1.
His call to the service was very clear; for being in office as a
priest, and qualified as a scribe, the <i>people spoke to him to
bring the book of the law</i> and read it to them, <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.1" parsed="|Neh|8|1|0|0" passage="Ne 8:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. God gave him ability and
authority, and then the people gave him opportunity and invitation.
Knowledge is spiritual alms, which those that are able should give
to every one that needs, to every one that asks. 2. His post was
very convenient. He stood in a pulpit or tower of wood, <i>which
they made for the word</i> (so it is in the original), <i>for the
preaching of the word,</i> that what he said might be the more
gracefully delivered and the better heard, and that the eyes of the
hearers might be upon him, which would engage their attention, as
<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.4.20" parsed="|Luke|4|20|0|0" passage="Lu 4:20">Luke iv. 20</scripRef>. 3. He had
several assistants. Some of these stood with him (<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.4" parsed="|Neh|8|4|0|0" passage="Ne 8:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), six on his right hand and
seven on his left: either his pulpit was so contrived as to hold
them all in a row, as in a gallery (but then it would scarcely have
been called a <i>tower</i>), or they had desks a degree lower. Some
think, that he appointed them to read when he was weary; at least
his taking them as assessors with him put an honour upon them
before the people, in order to their being employed in the same
service another time. Others who are mentioned (<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.7" parsed="|Neh|8|7|0|0" passage="Ne 8:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>) seem to have been employed at the
same time in other places near at hand, to read and expound to
those who could not come within hearing of Ezra. Of these also
there were thirteen priests, whose lips were to keep knowledge,
<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Mal.2.7" parsed="|Mal|2|7|0|0" passage="Mal 2:7">Mal. ii. 7</scripRef>. It is a great
mercy to a people thus to be furnished with ministers that are apt
to teach. Happy was Ezra in having such assistants as these, and
happy were they in having such a guide as Ezra.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.ix-p8">V. The religious exercises performed in
this assembly were not ceremonial, but moral, praying and
preaching. Ezra, as president of the assembly, was, 1. The people's
mouth to God, and they affectionately joined with him, <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.6" parsed="|Neh|8|6|0|0" passage="Ne 8:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. He blessed the Lord as the
great God, gave honour to him by praising his perfections and
praying for his favour; and the people, in token of their
concurrence with him both in prayers and praises, said, <i>Amen,
Amen, lifted up their hands</i> in token of their desire being
towards God and all their expectations from him, and <i>bowed their
heads</i> in token of their reverence of him and subjection to him.
Thus must we adore God, and address ourselves to him, when we are
going to read and hear the word of God, as those that see God in
his word very great and very good. 2. God's mouth to the people,
and they attentively hearkened to him. This was the chief business
of the solemnity, and observe, (1.) <i>Ezra brought the law before
the congregation,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.2" parsed="|Neh|8|2|0|0" passage="Ne 8:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>. He had taken care to provide himself with the best
and most correct copies of the law; and what he had laid up for his
own use and satisfaction he here brought forth, as a good
householder out of his treasury, for the benefit of the church.
Observe, [1.] The book of the law is not to be confined to the
scribes' studies, but to be brought before the congregation and
read to them in their own language. [2.] Ministers, when they go to
the pulpit, should take their Bibles with them; Ezra did so; thence
they must fetch their knowledge, and according to that rule they
must speak and must show that they do so. See <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.9" parsed="|2Chr|17|9|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:9">2 Chron. xvii. 9</scripRef>. (2.) He opened the book
with great reverence and solemnity, <i>in the sight of all the
people,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.5" parsed="|Neh|8|5|0|0" passage="Ne 8:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. He
brought it forth with a sense of the great mercy of God to them in
giving them that book; he opened it with a sense of his mercy to
them in giving them leave to read it, that it was not a spring shut
up and a fountain sealed. The <i>taking of the books, and the
opening of the seals,</i> we find celebrated with joy and praise,
<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.9" parsed="|Rev|5|9|0|0" passage="Re 5:9">Rev. v. 9</scripRef>. Let us learn to
address ourselves to the services of religion with solemn stops and
pauses, and not to go about them rashly; let us consider what we
are doing when we take God's book into our hands, and open it, and
so also when we bow our knees in prayer; and what we do let us do
deliberately, <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.5.1" parsed="|Eccl|5|1|0|0" passage="Ec 5:1">Eccl. v. 1</scripRef>.
(3.) He and others read in the book of the law, <i>from morning
till noon</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.3" parsed="|Neh|8|3|0|0" passage="Ne 8:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>),
and they read <i>distinctly,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p8.8" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.8" parsed="|Neh|8|8|0|0" passage="Ne 8:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. Reading the scriptures in
religious assemblies is an ordinance of God, whereby he is honoured
and his church edified. And, upon special occasions, we must be
willing to attend for many hours together on the reading and
expounding of the word of God: those mentioned here were thus
employed for six hours. Let those that read and preach the word
learn also to deliver themselves distinctly, as those who
understand what they say and are affected with it themselves, and
who desire that those they speak to may understand it, retain it,
and be affected with it likewise. <i>It is a snare for a man to
devour that which is holy.</i> (4.) What they read they expounded,
showed the intent and meaning of it, and what use was to be made of
it; they gave the sense in other words, that they might <i>cause
the people to understand the reading,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p8.9" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.7-Neh.8.8" parsed="|Neh|8|7|8|8" passage="Ne 8:7,8"><i>v.</i> 7, 8</scripRef>. Note, [1.] It is requisite
that those who hear the word should understand it, else it is to
them but an empty sound of words, <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p8.10" osisRef="Bible:Matt.24.15" parsed="|Matt|24|15|0|0" passage="Mt 24:15">Matt. xxiv. 15</scripRef>. [2.] It is therefore required
of those who are teachers by office that they explain the word and
give the sense of it. <i>Understandest thou what thou readest?</i>
and, <i>Have you understood all these things?</i> are good
questions to be put to the hearers; but, <i>How should we except
someone guide us?</i> is as proper a question for them to put to
their teachers, <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p8.11" osisRef="Bible:Acts.8.30-Acts.8.31" parsed="|Acts|8|30|8|31" passage="Ac 8:30,31">Acts viii. 30,
31</scripRef>. Reading is good, and preaching good, but expounding
brings the reading and the preaching together, and thus makes the
reading the more intelligible and the preaching the more
convincing. (5.) The people conducted themselves very properly when
the word was read and opened to them. [1.] With great reverence.
When Ezra opened the book <i>all the people stood up</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p8.12" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.5" parsed="|Neh|8|5|0|0" passage="Ne 8:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), thereby showing respect
both to Ezra and to the word he was about to read. It becomes
servants to stand when their master speaks to them, in honour to
their master and to show a readiness to do as they are bidden. [2.]
With great fixedness and composedness. They <i>stood in their
place</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p8.13" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.7" parsed="|Neh|8|7|0|0" passage="Ne 8:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>);
several ministers were reading and expounding at some distance from
each other, and every one of the people kept his post, did not go
to hear first one and then another, to make remarks upon them, but
stood in his place, that he might neither give disturbance to
another nor receive any disturbance himself. [3.] With great
attention and a close application of mind: <i>The ears of all the
people were unto the book of the law</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p8.14" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.3" parsed="|Neh|8|3|0|0" passage="Ne 8:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), were even chained to it; they
heard readily, and minded every word. The word of God commands
attention and deserves it. If through carelessness we let much slip
in hearing, there is danger that through forgetfulness we shall let
all slip after hearing.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Neh.ix-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.9-Neh.8.12" parsed="|Neh|8|9|8|12" passage="Ne 8:9-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Neh.8.9-Neh.8.12">
<p class="passage" id="Neh.ix-p9">9 And Nehemiah, which <i>is</i> the Tirshatha,
and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the
people, said unto all the people, This day <i>is</i> holy unto the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Neh.ix-p9.1">Lord</span> your God; mourn not, nor weep.
For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
  10 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 <i>this</i> day <i>is</i> holy unto our Lord: neither
be ye sorry; for the joy of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Neh.ix-p9.2">Lord</span>
is your strength.   11 So the Levites stilled all the people,
saying, Hold your peace, for the day <i>is</i> holy; neither be ye
grieved.   12 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.ix-p10">We may here observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.ix-p11">I. How the people were wounded with the
words of the law that were read to them. The law works death, and
speaks terror, shows men their sins, and their misery and danger
because of sin, and thunders a curse against every one that
continues not in every part of his duty. Therefore when they heard
it they <i>all wept</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.9" parsed="|Neh|8|9|0|0" passage="Ne 8:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>): it was a good sign that their hearts were tender,
like Josiah's when he heard the words of the law. They wept to
think how they had offended God, and exposed themselves, by their
many violations of the law; when some wept all wept, for they all
saw themselves guilty before God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.ix-p12">II. How they were healed and comforted with
the words of peace that were spoken to them. It was well that they
were so much affected with the word of God, and received the
impressions of it; but they must not yield unduly to their
mourning, especially at this time, because the day was holy to the
Lord; it was one of the solemn feasts, on which it was their duty
to rejoice; and even sorrow for sin must not hinder our joy in God,
but rather lead us to it and prepare us for it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.ix-p13">1. The masters of the assembly endeavoured
to pacify them and encourage them. Now Nehemiah is brought in, and
not before, in this chapter; he took notice of the people's
weeping. Ezra was pleased to see them so affected with the word,
but Nehemiah observed to him, and Ezra concurred in the thought,
that it was now unseasonable. This day was holy (it is called <i>a
sabbath,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.23.24" parsed="|Lev|23|24|0|0" passage="Le 23:24">Lev. xxiii.
24</scripRef>), and therefore was to be celebrated with joy and
praise, not as if it were <i>a day to afflict their souls.</i> (1.)
They forbade the people to <i>mourn and weep</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.9" parsed="|Neh|8|9|0|0" passage="Ne 8:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>): <i>Be not sorry</i>
(<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.10" parsed="|Neh|8|10|0|0" passage="Ne 8:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>); <i>hold your
peace, neither be you grieved,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.11" parsed="|Neh|8|11|0|0" passage="Ne 8:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. Every thing is beautiful in its
season; as we must not be merry when <i>God calls to mourning,</i>
so we must not frighten and afflict ourselves when God gives us
occasion to rejoice. Even sorrow for sin must not grow so excessive
as to hinder our joy in God and our cheerfulness in his service.
(2.) They commanded them to testify their joy, to put <i>on the
garments of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness.</i> They
allowed them, in token of their joy, to feast themselves, to eat
and drink better than on other days, <i>to eat the fat and drink
the sweet;</i> but then it must be, [1.] With charity to the poor:
"<i>Send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared</i> that
your abundance may supply their want, that they may rejoice with
you and their loins may bless you." Christ directs those that make
feasts to invite their poor neighbours, <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Luke.14.13" parsed="|Luke|14|13|0|0" passage="Lu 14:13">Luke xiv. 13</scripRef>. But it is especially the duty
of a religious feast, as well as of a religious fast, to <i>draw
out the soul to the hungry,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p13.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.58.7 Bible:Isa.58.10" parsed="|Isa|58|7|0|0;|Isa|58|10|0|0" passage="Isa 58:7,10">Isa. lviii. 7, 10</scripRef>. God's bounty should
make us bountiful. Many will eat the fat and drink the sweet
themselves, even to excess, that will never allow portions, nor
scarcely crumbs, to the poor, who may read their own doom in the
parable of the rich man, <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p13.7" osisRef="Bible:Luke.16.19-Luke.16.31" parsed="|Luke|16|19|16|31" passage="Lu 16:19-31">Luke xvi.
19</scripRef>, &amp;c. But such know not, or consider not, what God
gave them their estates for. Observe, We must not only give to
those that offer themselves, but send to those that are out of
sight. <i>The liberal devises liberal things,</i> and seeks objects
of charity. [2.] It must be with piety and devotion: <i>The joy of
the Lord is your strength.</i> Let it not be a carnal sensual joy,
but holy and spiritual, the <i>joy of the Lord,</i> joy in the
goodness of God, under the direction and government of the grace of
God, joy arising from our interest in the love and favour of God
and the tokens of his favour. "This joy will be your strength,
therefore encourage it; it will be your strength, <i>First,</i> For
the performance of the other duties of the feast." The more
cheerful we are in our religious exercises the more we shall abound
in them. <i>Secondly,</i> "For all that which you have to do in
conformity to the law of God which has been read to you." Holy joy
will be oil to the wheels of our obedience. <i>Thirdly,</i> "For
the resisting of your enemies that are plotting against you." The
joy of the Lord will arm us against the assaults of our spiritual
enemies, and put our mouths out of taste for those pleasures with
which the tempter baits his hooks.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.ix-p14">2. The assembly complied with the
directions that were given them. Their weeping was <i>stilled</i>
(<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.11" parsed="|Neh|8|11|0|0" passage="Ne 8:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>) and they
<i>made great mirth,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.12" parsed="|Neh|8|12|0|0" passage="Ne 8:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>. Note, We ought always to have such a command of
every passion as that, however it may break out, it may soon be
restrained and called in again when we are convinced that it is
either unreasonable or unseasonable. <i>He that has such a rule as
this over his own spirit is better than the mighty.</i> Observe,
(1.) After they had wept they rejoiced. Holy mourning makes way for
holy mirth; those that <i>sow in tears shall reap in joy;</i> those
that tremble at the convictions of the word may triumph in the
consolations of it. (2.) The ground of their joy was very good.
They made mirth, not because they had the fat to eat and the sweet
to drink, and a great deal of good company, but because they had
<i>understood the words that were declared to them.</i> Note, [1.]
To have the holy scriptures with us, and helps to understand them,
is a very great mercy, which we have abundant reason to rejoice in.
Bibles and ministers are the joy of God's Israel. [2.] The better
we understand the word of God the more comfort we shall find in it;
for the darkness of trouble arises from the darkness of ignorance
and mistake. When the words were first declared to them they wept;
but, when they understood them, they rejoiced, finding at length
precious promises made to those who repented and reformed and that
therefore there was hope in Israel.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Neh.ix-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.13-Neh.8.18" parsed="|Neh|8|13|8|18" passage="Ne 8:13-18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Neh.8.13-Neh.8.18">
<h4 id="Neh.ix-p14.4">The Joy of the People. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Neh.ix-p14.5">b. c.</span> 444.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Neh.ix-p15">13 And on the second day were gathered together
the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the
Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the
law.   14 And they found written in the law which the <span class="smallcaps" id="Neh.ix-p15.1">Lord</span> had commanded by Moses, that the
children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the
seventh month:   15 And that they should publish and proclaim
in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the
mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle
branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make
booths, as <i>it is</i> written.   16 So the people went
forth, and brought <i>them,</i> and made themselves booths, every
one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the
courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate,
and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.   17 And all the
congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made
booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the
son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so.
And there was very great gladness.   18 Also day by day, from
the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of
God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day
<i>was</i> a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.ix-p16">We have here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.ix-p17">I. The people's renewed attendance upon the
word. They had spent the greatest part of one day in praying and
hearing, and yet were so far from being weary of that new moon and
sabbath that the next day after, though it was no festival, the
chief of them came together again to hear Ezra expound (<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.13" parsed="|Neh|8|13|0|0" passage="Ne 8:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>), which they found more
delightful and gainful than any worldly pleasure or profit
whatsoever. Note, The more we converse with the word of God, if we
rightly understand it and be affected with it, the more we shall
covet to converse with it, and to increase in our acquaintance with
it, saying, <i>How sweet are thy words unto my mouth!</i> Those
that understand the scriptures well will still be desirous to
understand them better. Now the priests and the Levites themselves
came with <i>the chief of the people to Ezra,</i> that prince of
expositors, <i>to understand the words of the law,</i> or, as it is
in the margin, <i>that they might instruct in the words of the
law;</i> they came to be taught themselves, that they might be
qualified to teach others. Observe, 1. Though, on the first day,
Ezra's humility had set them <i>on his right hand and on his left,
as teachers with him</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.4 Bible:Neh.8.7" parsed="|Neh|8|4|0|0;|Neh|8|7|0|0" passage="Ne 8:4,7"><i>v.</i> 4,
7</scripRef>), yet now, they being by trial made more sensible than
ever of their own deficiencies and his excellencies, on the second
day their humility set them at Ezra's feet, as learners of him. 2.
Those that would teach others must themselves receive instructions.
Priests and Levites must be taught first and then teach.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.ix-p18">II. The people's ready obedience to the
word, in one particular instance, as soon as they were made
sensible of their duty therein. It is probable that Ezra, <i>after
the wisdom of his God that was in his hand</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.7.25" parsed="|Ezra|7|25|0|0" passage="Ezr 7:25">Ezra vii. 25</scripRef>), when they applied to him for
instruction out of the law on the second day of the seventh month,
read to them those laws which concerned the feasts of that month,
and, among the rest, that of the feast of tabernacles, <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.23.34 Bible:Deut.16.13" parsed="|Lev|23|34|0|0;|Deut|16|13|0|0" passage="Le 23:34,De 16:13">Lev. xxiii. 34; Deut. xvi.
13</scripRef>. Ministers should preach not only that which is true
and good, but that which is seasonable, directing to the <i>work of
the day in its day.</i> Here is, 1. The divine appointment of the
feast of tabernacles reviewed, <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.14-Neh.8.15" parsed="|Neh|8|14|8|15" passage="Ne 8:14,15"><i>v.</i> 14, 15</scripRef>. <i>They found written in
the law</i> a commandment concerning it. Those that diligently
search the scriptures will find those things written there which
they had forgotten or not duly considered. This feast of
tabernacles was a memorial of their dwelling in tents in the
wilderness, a representation of our tabernacle state in this world,
and a type of the holy joy of the gospel church. The conversion of
the nations to the faith of Christ is foretold under the figure of
this feast (<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:Zech.14.16" parsed="|Zech|14|16|0|0" passage="Zec 14:16">Zech. xiv.
16</scripRef>); they shall come to <i>keep the feast of
tabernacles,</i> as having here no continuing city. This feast was
to be proclaimed in all their cities. The people were themselves to
fetch boughs of trees (they of Jerusalem fetched them from the
mount of Olives) and to make booths, or arbours, of them, in which
they were to lodge (as much as the weather would permit) and to
make merry during the feast. 2. This appointment religiously
observed, <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p18.5" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.16-Neh.8.17" parsed="|Neh|8|16|8|17" passage="Ne 8:16,17"><i>v.</i> 16,
17</scripRef>. Then we read and hear the word acceptably and
profitably when we do according to what is written therein, when
what appears to be our duty is revived after it has been neglected.
(1.) They observed the ceremony: <i>They sat in booths,</i> which
the priests and Levites set up in the courts of the temple; those
that had houses of their own set up booths on the roofs of them, or
in their courts; and those that had not such conveniences set them
up in the streets. This feast had usually been observed (<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p18.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.5.3 Bible:Ezra.3.4" parsed="|2Chr|5|3|0|0;|Ezra|3|4|0|0" passage="2Ch 5:3,Ezr 3:4">2 Chron. v. 3; Ezra iii. 4</scripRef>),
but never with such solemnity as now since Joshua's time, when they
were newly settled, as they were now newly re-settled in Canaan.
That man loves his house too well that cannot find in his heart to
quit it, awhile, in compliance either with an ordinance or with a
providence of God. (2.) They minded the substance, else the
ceremony, how significant soever, would have been insignificant.
[1.] They did it with gladness, with <i>very great gladness,</i>
rejoicing in God and his goodness to them. All their holy feasts,
but this especially, were to be celebrated with joy, which would be
much for the honour of God, and their own encouragement in his
service. [2.] They attended the reading and expounding of the word
of God during all the days of the feast, <scripRef id="Neh.ix-p18.7" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.18" parsed="|Neh|8|18|0|0" passage="Ne 8:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. They improved their leisure for
this good work. Spare hours cannot be better spent than in studying
the scriptures and conversing with them. At this feast of
tabernacles God appointed the law to be read once in seven years.
Whether this was that year of release in which that service was to
be performed (<scripRef id="Neh.ix-p18.8" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.10-Deut.31.11" parsed="|Deut|31|10|31|11" passage="De 31:10,11">Deut. xxxi. 10,
11</scripRef>) does not appear; however they spent all the days of
the feast in that good work, and on the eighth day was a solemn
assembly, as God had appointed, in which they finished the
solemnity the twenty-second day of the month, yet did not separate,
for the twenty-fourth day was appointed to be spent in fasting and
prayer. Holy joy just not indispose us for godly sorrow any more
than godly sorrow for holy joy.</p>
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