Nehemiah 8:9-12

Nehemiah 8:9-12

[9] And Nehemiah,  which is the Tirshatha,  and Ezra  the priest  the scribe,  and the Levites  that taught  the people,  said  unto all the people,  This day  is holy  unto the LORD  your God;  mourn  not, nor weep.  For all the people  wept,  when they heard  the words  of the law.  [10] Then he said  eat  the fat,  and drink  the sweet,  and send  portions  unto them for whom nothing is prepared:  for this day  is holy  neither be ye sorry;  for the joy  of the LORD  is your strength.  [11] So the Levites  stilled  all the people,  saying,  Hold your peace,  for the day  is holy;  neither be ye grieved.  [12] And all the people  to eat,  and to drink,  and to send  portions,  and to make  great  mirth,  because they had understood  the words  that were declared  unto them.

What does Nehemiah 8:9-12 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Conviction of their departure from God"s will fell on the people as they heard the Law read. Their initial reaction was to mourn and weep ( Nehemiah 8:9). However, the Law specified that the Feast of Trumpets was to be a joyous occasion, so Nehemiah urged them to rejoice in the Lord ( Nehemiah 8:10). This joy, as they thought about Yahweh, would strengthen and sustain them as a tonic. Eating the fat ( Nehemiah 8:9) means eating the best parts. The exposition of Scripture taught the Israelites God"s will, convicted them of their short-comings, corrected their conduct, and fitted them for righteous living (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16).