Nehemiah 8

The people are gathered and Ezra helps the people understand the law – God’s Good Covenant with his people. The people are overwhelmed and “worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground” (v6). The people wept, but the leaders say, “do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (v10). The people are commanded to celebrate the feast of booths (14)… the festival celebrating God’s provision upon leaving Egypt. With a renewed understanding of God’s covenant the people celebrate.

When we truly know what God has done for us and that he has made us his people we will live with a strengthening joy and purpose and there will be a “very great rejoicing” (17).