Question 1

Why were the people weeping when they heard the words of the law?

Accepted Answer

The people wept because, as they listened to God’s law being read and explained, they finally saw how badly they had failed to keep it. The commands showed them their sin, their disobedience, and the danger they were in if God dealt with them only by strict justice. This was not casual emotion, but deep sorrow over offending God. Their tears showed that their hearts were soft, not hard. They were moved by God’s word, aware of their guilt, and afraid of the judgment they deserved for breaking his law in many ways.

Question 2

Why did Nehemiah and Ezra tell the people not to mourn or weep on this holy day?

Accepted Answer

Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites saw that the people’s sorrow was real, but they also knew that this particular day was set apart as a holy festival to the Lord. On such a day, God had commanded his people to rejoice before him, not to treat it as a time for heavy grief. Their repentance was right, but their timing needed to match God’s purpose for the feast. So they gently stopped the weeping, telling them that this holy day should be marked by joy in God’s goodness, not by ongoing tears.

Question 3

What does the phrase "the joy of the Lord is your strength" mean in this passage?

Accepted Answer

In this passage, “the joy of the Lord is your strength” means that finding joy in God himself gives God’s people real strength. They were not to chase a shallow, worldly happiness, but to rejoice in God’s mercy, his favor, and the hope his word gives to those who repent. That kind of joy helps them serve God with energy, obey his commands, and stand firm against fear and enemies. Instead of being crushed by guilt, they were to let joy in God’s kindness renew their courage and keep them going.

Question 4

Why were the people told to eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to others?

Accepted Answer

They were told to feast as a sign of holy joy. Eating the fat and drinking the sweet meant enjoying the best food and drink as part of the festival God had given them. But it was not only about their own enjoyment. They were also commanded to send portions to those for whom nothing was prepared, like the poor and those who had no feast ready. This showed that true joy before God is generous, not selfish. A holy celebration should include sharing with those in need so everyone can rejoice together.

Question 5

What role did the Levites play when the people were grieving?

Accepted Answer

The Levites helped calm the people. They had been teaching and explaining the law, and now they used their words to comfort as well. They “stilled” the people by telling them to be quiet, stop their outward weeping, and not keep feeding their inner grief, because the day was holy. In other words, they helped the people bring their strong emotions back under control. Their ministry was not only to show sin, but also to guide the people into the right response of joy in God when it was time to rejoice.

Question 6

Why did understanding the words that were declared lead the people to great joy?

Accepted Answer

At first, when the people only heard the words of the law, they mainly felt fear and sorrow, because they saw their sin. As the law was explained more clearly, they began to understand the full message, including God’s mercy and the hope given to those who repent and turn back to him. This understanding changed their tears into joy. They did not just have a book read over them; they grasped what God was saying. Knowing God’s word rightly, and seeing both his holiness and his kindness, gave them solid reason to rejoice.

Question 7

How does this passage hold together both sorrow for sin and joy in the Lord?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that both deep sorrow for sin and strong joy in God have their place. The people were right to weep when they saw how they had broken God’s law. Their hearts were tender and humbled. But they were also told not to stay in grief on a day that God had set apart for joy. Even repentance should lead us toward joy in God’s forgiveness and favor. Here we see that godly sorrow prepares the heart, and then joy in the Lord fills it, so that people can worship and obey with gladness.

Question 8

What does this scene teach about sharing with the poor during times of celebration?

Accepted Answer

This scene shows that when God’s people celebrate, they should remember those who have little. The command to “send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared” makes sharing part of worship, not an extra. A real feast before God is not just about those who can afford rich food and sweet drink. It stretches out to widows, strangers, and anyone in need. God’s kindness to his people should make them kind to others. Their joy in God was to overflow in practical gifts so that others could join in the gladness.

Question 9

How can the joy of the Lord be a source of strength for believers today?

Accepted Answer

The joy of the Lord strengthens believers today in a similar way. When we see our sin, we should grieve, but not stay crushed. As we understand God’s word, we see that he forgives those who turn back to him and that he is for his people. Resting in his love, promises, and presence gives a deep gladness that does not depend on easy circumstances. That joy helps us keep obeying when it is hard, resist temptations that once seemed attractive, and face troubles without giving up, because our hearts are held up by God himself.

Nehemiah 8:9

¶ 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.

Ezra Reads the Law

“This Day Is Holy”

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Nehemiah 8:9

¶ 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.

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Ezra Reads the Law

“This Day Is Holy”

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