Nehemiah 8 records an amazing move of God as the people gathered to listen to Ezra read from the law of God. This is a ‘revival’ moment, in which the people gather around the preaching of the Word and are profoundly shaken up by what they hear. This contrasts with the response of the people to the prophets before the exile. Previously they only wanted to listen to prophets who told them that they were in the right. They didn’t want to listen to someone who would prove that they were in the wrong. This spiritual revival occurs because now the people are open to being challenged and convicted of their wrongs. While it is appropriate to grieve over our sin (James 4:9), we should not, however, wallow in our failure. At first the people seem to have despaired at their failure but were subsequently encouraged by Ezra and the Levites, no doubt with the assurance of God’s forgiveness. Grief should turn to joyful hope because the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down (James 4:10; Luke 18:14). God wants to convict and correct us, not condemn us. So, there is a time to stop and confess and a time to move forward in God’s forgiveness. There is a time to stoop down in contrition and a time to arise in celebration. The appropriate celebration for the Jews of Ezra’s day was the feast of tabernacles. This feast celebrates the way God sustained Israel through their desert wanderings to deliver them into the promised land. Yet again God had been faithful to his people, and it was right to celebrate.
Celebrate God’s forgiveness and faithfulness.
Read Nehemiah 8
