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More Nehemiah commentaries
Nehemiah 5:1-13
Nehemiah deals with oppression
Nehemiah 5:14-19
The Generosity of Nehemiah
Nehemiah 6:1-9
Conspiracy Against Nehemiah
Nehemiah 6:10-19
The Wall Completed
Nehemiah 7:1-38
The Captives Who Returned to Jerusalem
Nehemiah 7:39-73
The Living Link Between the Past and the Future
Nehemiah 8:1-12
Nehemiah Called for a “Bible conference”
Nehemiah 8:13-18
The Feast of Tabernacles
Nehemiah 9:1-8
The Greatness of God
Nehemiah 9:9-25
The Goodness of God When they Didn’t Deserve it
Nehemiah 9:26-31
The Results of Rebellion
Nehemiah 9:32-39
Slaves in Their Own Land
Nehemiah 10:1-31
The Agreement of The People
Nehemiah 10:32-39
Importance of Giving The First Fruits to God
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The Feast of Tabernacles
Nehemiah 8:13–18
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
In Olney, England, stands a granite tombstone with this inscription: “John Newton, clerk [pastor], once an infidel and Libertine, a servant of slavers in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preac … More
During the seven days of the feast, the Jews lived in booths made of branches (v. 14). This was a time of looking back and remembering the nation’s forty years of wandering in the wilderness when they lived in temporary shelters (v. 14). They were to think about God’s protection and guidance during their years of wandering and the fact that God would still protect them and guide them if they obeyed His Word. It was a time to remember where they came from, where they were that day, and what they would do in the future.
An example of biblical preaching can be found in Nehemiah 8, where Ezra not only read the law but also explained it. Ezra continued the Bible conference during the entire week of the feast as he read and explained the Word of God day by day (v. 18). The combination of joyful fellowship, feasting, and hearing the Word must have strengthened the people greatly. We might ask, “Did the celebration last?” The answer is, yes, for a time, but the people eventually became careless again and the leaders had to bring them back to the Word of God. It is reported that someone asked Billy Sunday if revivals lasted, and he replied, “No, and neither does a bath; but it is good to have one occasionally!"
Application
It is helpful to remember where I came from in order to appreciate where I am today. As I think back to where God has led me I thank Him for His continuing work in my life.
Nehemiah 8:13-18 (English Standard Version)
On the second day the heads of fathers' houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law. And they found it written in the Law that the LORD had commanded by Moses that the people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, and that they should proclaim it and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem, "Go out to the hills and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written." So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim. And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths, for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing. And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. They kept the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule.
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