Nehemiah 8:10

“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Historical Context:Nehemiah was a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia when he received news about the distressing condition of Jerusalem and its broken-down walls. He was burdened by this and sought permission from the king to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city walls. With God’s help, Nehemiah successfully led the people in rebuilding the walls, and in this verse, we find them gathered together to hear the reading of the Law.

• The Setting:

After the walls were completed, the people gathered in the square before the Water Gate to listen to the Book of the Law (likely the Torah) being read by Ezra the scribe. This event took place on the first day of the seventh month, which was the Feast of Trumpets (also known as Rosh Hashanah).

The Command to Rejoice:Upon hearing the words of the Law, the people were deeply moved and began to weep as they realised their disobedience to God’s commands. However, Nehemiah and the priests encouraged them to rejoice instead. Nehemiah instructed the people to go and enjoy rich food and sweet drinks. This was a time of celebration and feasting, a reminder that joy comes from the Lord.

Sharing with Others:Nehemiah also instructed the people to send portions of their food to those who had nothing prepared. This act of sharing was an expression of their gratitude to God and their care for others. It demonstrated the importance of community and generosity, especially towards those who were less fortunate.

The Holy Day:Nehemiah emphasised that the day they were celebrating was holy unto the Lord. This was a day set apart for the people to seek God, learn from His Word, and rejoice in His faithfulness. It was a reminder that their strength and joy came from the Lord Himself.

The Joy of the Lord as Strength:Finally, Nehemiah encouraged the people not to be sorry or mournful but to find their strength in the joy of the Lord. This statement reminds us that true strength doesn’t come from our circumstances or our own abilities but from our relationship with God. When we find joy in Him, we can face challenges with confidence and overcome them by His power.

Key Lessons:

• Rejoicing is a response to hearing and obeying God’s Word.
• Celebration and feasting can be acts of worship and expressions of gratitude to God.
• Sharing with others, especially the less fortunate, reflects God’s heart and strengthens community.
• Setting apart time for seeking God, studying His Word, and rejoicing in His faithfulness is important.
• The joy of the Lord is our source of strength, empowering us to face challenges.

Nehemiah 8:10 encourages us to find our strength and joy in the Lord, to celebrate His goodness, and to extend that joy to others through acts of love and generosity.