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The Joy of Forgiveness and Healing
This chapter is based on Nehemiah 8; 9; and 10.
It was the time of the Feast of Trumpets. Many were gathered
at Jerusalem. The wall had been rebuilt and the gates set up, but a
large part of the city was still in ruins.
On a platform constructed in one of the widest streets, sur-
rounded by sad reminders of Judah’s departed glory, stood Ezra,
now an old man. At his right and left his fellow Levites had gath-
ered. The children of the covenant had assembled from all the
surrounding country. “And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God.
Then all the people answered, ‘Amen!’ ... And they bowed their
heads and worshiped the Lord.”
Yet even here was evidence of sin. Because the people had
intermarried with other nations, the Hebrew language had become
corrupted, and the speakers needed to use great care to explain the
law in language everyone could understand. Certain priests joined
Ezra in explaining its principles. “They read in the book in the law
of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand
the reading.”
The people listened intently and reverently to the words of the
Most High. They were convinced of their guilt and mourned because
of their transgressions. But this was a day of rejoicing, a holy
gathering that the Lord had commanded the people to keep with
gladness and to rejoice because of God’s great mercy to them. “This
day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep. ... 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.”
Part of the day was devoted to religious services. The people
spent the remainder of the time enjoying the abundant food God had
provided. They also sent portions to the poor. The words of the law
had been read and understood.
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