Day 271 (Nehemiah 8-10) - Year 8

Tara-Leigh Cobble (0:01)

Hey Bible Readers, I'm Tara-Leigh Cobble, and I'm your host for The Bible Recap.

The exiles have returned, the temple has been rebuilt, and the walls have been restored. But as we know, God isn't concerned only with the details of where they live and worship. He's also concerned about their hearts. Today, Ezra and Nehemiah team up to present the people with God's word. Specifically, it was probably the five books of Moses, which are known as the Torah or the Pentateuch. We started out our year with them. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Today, all the men, women and children old enough to understand gather together to hear the presentation. From early in the morning until midday, the people stand as Ezra reads the word aloud. And they pay attention. And when they aren't standing, they're worshiping with their faces to the ground. These people are receiving what they're hearing. And anytime there's a confusing spot, the Levites help them understand things. Ezra reads a little bit, and then the Levites explain it. They know it's necessary for people to not just hear the word, but to understand the word. Because we can't and won't respond properly to something we misunderstand or misapply.

At times, what they're reading is heavy. We've been there. We know.

And the people are grieved over it all. But the priest remind them that this is actually worth rejoicing over. Today is to be celebrated because it's a day God set apart to remind them about their relationship with Him. He reminds them that God is after their joy. And that reminder should strengthen them. So they end the day with a feast. Wouldn't it be nice if I threw us a feast every day? Sorry, I'm slacking.

On day two, the heads of the households come back for another day of Torah 101 That's when they cover Leviticus 23 and realize there's a feast they've forgotten. One God commanded a long time ago, but that they haven't celebrated in almost a thousand years. The Feast of Booths or Feast of Tabernacles is a fall festival, where they commemorate the fact that God provided for the Israelites for 40 years while they lived in booths in the desert. This is still around today and it's known as Sukkot. It usually happens in September or October, so right about now if you're listening to this on the day it posts. It's a seven-day feast and on every day of the feast, Ezra reads more of the books of the law to them while the Levites give the Bible recap. On the eighth day after they finish celebrating, they have a sacred gathering.

Later that month, they gather again for fasting and worship and repentance. They read the word for six hours, then they confess and worship for six hours. That's a full day. Then the Levites stand up and praise God, and someone, probably Ezra, prays an incredible prayer recounting all God has done for his people. You know I love verbs, so here are all the verbs God is verbing in this prayer in Chapter 9 If you listen closely, you'll hear a very abridged version of everything we've read since day one. He alone is God. He made heaven and earth and everything. He preserves everything he made. He chose Abram and brought him out and gave him a new name. He paid attention to Abraham's heart. He made a covenant with him and kept his promise because he's righteous. He saw the affliction of his people in Egypt and heard their cries and performed signs and wonders to protect them because he knew they were being oppressed. He made a name for himself. He divided the sea. He cast their pursuers down. He led them by cloud and by fire. He came down the mountain to speak with them. He gave them rules and laws. He made his ways known to them. He gave them food. He brought them water. He told them to go to the promised land. He swore to give it to them. He performed wonders. He is ready to forgive. He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love. He doesn't forsake his people even when they sin and rebel. He doesn't depart from them. He gave his spirit to instruct them. He didn't withhold food or water. He made sure they lacked nothing. He gave them kingdoms and people. He multiplied their children. He brought them into the promised land. He subdued their enemies and gave them victory over them. When they rebelled, he gave them into the hands of their enemies, but he heard their cries. He sent people to rescue them. They rebelled again, and he abandoned them until they cried out to him again. He heard their cries again and delivered them again. He warned them to repent. He bore with them. He warned them through his spirit and his prophets.