Question 1

Why did all the people gather at the Water Gate to hear Ezra read the law?

Accepted Answer

The people gathered at the Water Gate because they wanted to hear God’s law together. They had just been brought back from exile and had rebuilt the city wall, so this was a fresh beginning. Men, women, and all who were old enough to understand came because they knew they needed God’s words to guide them as a people. Asking Ezra to bring the book of the law showed they were hungry to know what God had commanded and ready to be shaped by it in their daily lives and worship.

Question 2

Why did the people weep when they heard the words of the law?

Accepted Answer

When the people heard the law read clearly, they saw how far they had fallen short of God’s commands. The words exposed their sins and failures, and that cut them to the heart, so they began to weep. Their tears showed real conviction and sorrow. But Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites reminded them the day was holy, so they should not stay in grief. Their sadness over sin was meant to lead them on to joy in God’s mercy and in being brought back to Him.

Question 3

What does the phrase “the joy of the Lord is your strength” mean here?

Accepted Answer

In this passage, “the joy of the Lord is your strength” means that their strength would come from rejoicing in God, not from staying in sorrow. They had been convicted by the law and were weeping, but on this holy day they were called to trust that God was still their God, to rest in His goodness, and to celebrate His kindness in bringing them back and speaking to them. As they rejoiced in Him, they would find courage, comfort, and the inner strength to walk in obedience.

Question 4

Why were the people told to eat, drink, and send portions to others on this holy day?

Accepted Answer

They were told to eat rich food, drink sweet drinks, and share portions with those who had nothing prepared because holy days were meant to be joyful, not selfish. God wanted their renewed understanding of His law to lead to celebration and kindness, not only private feelings. Sharing food with those in need showed that their joy in God overflowed in care for one another. Their feasting was not empty pleasure, but a thankful response to God’s goodness and a way to include the whole community.

Question 5

How did the Levites help the people understand the law?

Accepted Answer

The Levites stood among the people while the law was being read and helped them understand it. The passage says they read from the law distinctly, gave the sense, and caused the people to understand the reading. That means they did more than just repeat the words. They explained what the commands meant and how they fit together. This shows that hearing God’s Word plainly and having it clearly explained go together, so that people are not just moved in their feelings but also know what God is saying.

Question 6

What is the Feast of Tabernacles, and how did the people obey it here?

Accepted Answer

In this passage, the leaders found written in the law that the people of Israel were to live in booths, or shelters made of branches, during the feast in the seventh month. This feast reminded them of how God cared for them when they lived in tents in the wilderness. Once they read this, they went out, gathered branches from different trees, and built booths on their roofs, in their courtyards, around the house of God, and in the streets. They all sat under these booths together, and there was very great gladness.

Question 7

Why does the passage say such booths had not been kept like this since the days of Jeshua son of Nun?

Accepted Answer

The passage says that since the days of Jeshua son of Nun the people had not done it in this way to show how rare and special this obedience was. It does not mean the feast was never kept at all, but that it had not been kept with this kind of full, widespread care and joy for a very long time. Now, after hearing the law explained, the whole congregation that had returned from captivity joined in. Their united obedience and joy marked a fresh renewing of their life with God.

Question 8

What does this passage teach about how we should respond to God’s Word today?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows a pattern for how to respond to God’s Word. The people listened attentively for a long time, they took it to heart, they were moved to sorrow over sin, and then they obeyed what they heard with joy. It reminds us to value clear reading and explanation of Scripture, to let it search our hearts, but not to stay in despair. Instead, we are called to trust God’s kindness, rejoice in Him, share with others, and put into practice what He shows us, both in worship and in everyday life.

Question 9

Who are Ezra and Nehemiah in this passage, and what roles do they play?

Accepted Answer

Ezra is described here as a priest and a scribe. He brings out the book of the law, stands on a wooden platform, blesses the Lord, and reads the law clearly to the people. Nehemiah is called the governor. Together with Ezra and the Levites, he speaks to the people, telling them that the day is holy and they should not keep weeping. Both men serve as leaders who guide the people to hear God’s Word, respond rightly, and carry out what God has commanded in worship and daily life.

Nehemiah 8:1

And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel.

Ezra Reads the Law

Ezra Reads the Law

“This Day Is Holy”

The Feast of Tabernacles

Feast of Booths Restored

Ezra Reads the Law

Ezra Reads the Law

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Nehemiah 8:1

And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel.

share.title

share.allVerses

share.verseWithContext

share.currentVerse

Ezra Reads the Law

Ezra Reads the Law

“This Day Is Holy”

The Feast of Tabernacles

Feast of Booths Restored

Ezra Reads the Law

Ezra Reads the Law

metadata.crossReferences