Nehemiah 8:13–18

The people celebrate

On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to give attention to the words of the Law. 14 They found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in booths during the feast of the seventh month 15 and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make booths”— as it is written.

16 So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves booths on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim. 17 The whole company that had returned from exile built booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.

18 Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the feast for seven days, and on the eighth day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly.

The second day of the seventh month was not a holiday, but the leaders of the people continued their special Bible study. This study led to the rediscovery of the rules for celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, or Booths (Leviticus 23:33-44). Apparently there had been a terrible neglect in the celebration of this feast, although we know it was celebrated at least once in the days of Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:4). At that time there was no specific mention of the booths, so perhaps it was especially that aspect of the feast that had fallen into disuse.

The booths were intended to remind the Israelites of the years when they had lived in temporary shelters in the wilderness. This holiday was also a joyous autumn harvest festival. In Deuteronomy 31:10,11 the reading of the law is specified as a chief feature of this festival: “At the end of every seven years, in the year for canceling debts, during the Feast of the Tabernacles, . . . you shall read this law.” Nehemiah emphasized the people’s return to the study of God’s Word during this feast.

In a way it is surprising that there is no mention of the solemn Day of Atonement, which also occurred in the seventh month. Perhaps this is due to the desire to emphasize joyous festivals.

Ezra’s restoration of the Feast of Tabernacles is described as the most outstanding celebration of this feast since the days of Joshua. This comment probably refers to the degree to which the whole nation flocked to Jerusalem and built booths in every available open space. There certainly was special cause for joy now that the walls of Jerusalem had been restored. The extensive reading of the law, which continued throughout the seven days of the festival, was a vital step in rebuilding the spiritual strength of the nation. Further steps in renewing the nation’s dedication to the Lord would follow this good beginning.