 Previous Chapter |
 Return to Outline |
 Ask Questions |
 Next Chapter |
Chapter 8 records spiritual revival and the joy of fellowship. We see here that the endeavors of Ezra and Nehemiah overlapped in Jerusalem, Nehemiah, the Governor, and Ezra, the Priest. Here Ezra is called to read to the people from the Law of Moses. This, undoubtedly, was the scroll that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra to take back to Jerusalem.
Notice where they assembled, in the Old City of David at the Water Gate. Ezra stood on a box so all could see and hear him. He faced west into the city. He read from early morning until noon. Everyone stood up while the scriptures were read and all who were old enough, paid close attention.
Notice he had 13 assistants, 7 on his left and 6 on his right. Also, there are 13 others listed in verse 7 that assisted also. Most believe that the assistants that stood on either side of him, assisted in the reading from time to time and the 13 others, were situated through out the crowd to assist the people with explanations and to aid the hard of hearing.
Notice when the people heard what was written in the scriptures, they began sobbing but Ezra and Nehemiah and those assisting them, told the people not to cry but rather to celebrate. This was a time to be joyful and to give presents to the needy, not a time to be sad. So the people rejoiced, had a festive meal and a joyful celebration.
The next day, all the Leaders of the people and the Levites met with Ezra to study the Law. As they went over it they read about the Festival of Tabernacles. There was to be a festival held that very month and during this festival, the people were to live in huts made of tree branches. So Ezra ordered the people to go out into the hills and gather branches and make huts where they would live until the festival was over. They built their huts on the roofs of houses, in the courtyard of the Temple and in the open plazas near the main gates. The festival lasted 7 days and Ezra read from the scriptures every day. On the last day, there was a solemn closing service. It was truly a joyous occasion.
Previous Chapter |
Return to Outline |
Ask Questions |
Next Chapter |