Nehemiah Chapter 8

Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies

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Introduction: In last weeks lesson, we studied about the city of Jerusalem being committed to Hananiah and then went through dozens of the names of the genealogy of those people from the tribes that had returned back to the land after the captivity in Babylon.

In this week's lesson, Ezra the priest gathered the restoration Jews together and read to them the Word of God and reinstituted the Feast of Tabernacles altogether. The subdivisions of the chapter are: (1) the reading and exposition of the Law in verses 1-8; (2) the people called upon to be joyful in verses 9-13; and, (3) the Feast of Tabernacles reinstituted in verses 13-18.

I. Reading and Exposition of the Law

Neh 8:1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.

Neh 8:2 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.

Neh 8:3 And he read therein before the street that was 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 were attentive unto the book of the law.

Neh 8:4 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, and Meshullam.

The latter portion of Ezra’s ministry overlapped with the initial work of Nehemiah.

The wall was done. The Temple worship had been restored and the Levites returned to their ministries. It was the first of the seventh month of the year. Therefore the people requested Ezra to come forth and publicly read the Word of God to them from “the book of the law of Moses.” It is important as New Testament Christians that we do not forsake the reading of the bible. We should always be eager to come and have the books opened and hear expository readings done from both the Old and New Testaments. We find the pages filled with promises of the Lord to come in the old testament, and all that he accomplished and will do in the New Testament. So many today lose so many blessings because they do not come when the church assembles.

Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Jesus early on in His ministry taught the disciples the importance of the scriptures and of teaching doctrine.

Mark 1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

Ezra publicly read the Scripture from a wooden pulpit (or platform) located at the street before the water gate (a large street suitable for a large gathering). It is noted that he read from morning (shortly after sunrise) to midday. The listing of the other names in verse 4 may be other priests who assisted him in the reading of the law.

Matthew Henry pointed out the importance of reading God's law.

He and others read in the book of the law, from morning till noon (v. 3), and they read distinctly, v. 8. 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. It is a snare for a man to devour that which is holy. (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 cause the people to understand the reading, v. 7, 8. 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, Mt. 24:15.

Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

[2.] It is therefore required of those who are teachers by office that they explain the word and give the sense of it. Understandest thou what thou readest? and, Have you understood all these things? are good questions to be put to the hearers; but, How should we except someone guide us? is as proper a question for them to put to their teachers, Acts 8:30, 31. 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 with great reverence.

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