Nehemiah 8  After listing all the exiles...by name.. that were now living in Judah, Nehemiah records what God does next... "And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had given to Israel." 

The people saw that God had restored Jerusalem's wall and the temple.  He was with them and this drew their hearts back to Him.  As the Word was read the people were attentive. Some of the Levites helped to explain the law or translated where needed.  Many of the people may have not understood Hebrew any longer, but spoke only Aramaic.  What happened next showed that the people really heard and understood God's Word.. as they fell on their faces and worshiped God. 

Nehemiah and Ezra declared, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep."  Instead, it became of day of rejoicing and celebration. " And all the people went away to eat, to drink, to send portions and to celebrate a great festival, because they understood the words which had been made known to them." 

The next day the heads of households, the priests and the Levites gathered again to hear Ezra's teaching. They learned about the feast of Tabernacles.  It was just in time to prepare for and keep that festival, so they did. "And they celebrated the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly according to the ordinance." 

The nation of Israel had an opportunity to start over.  They heard the Word, understood it, and obeyed it. The feast of Tabernacles or Booths was a celebration of God's provision. The harvest time was upon them. God was blessing them. It was a time of joy. 

Father, thank You for giving us the Word of Life that brings great joy to our hearts. We desire to hear, understand, believe, and obey Your Word always.  We ask that You fill us with Your Spirit continually so that we can find Your joy.. which is our strength.. to walk in all Your ways to the praise and honor of Your holy Name.  May Jesus Christ our Life and Light.. our "joy and delight"..  be revealed in us as we are filled with Your joy and peace and hope. We ask this in His Name. Amen.