Nehemiah 8:13-18
“Then on the second day the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe SO THAT [for emphasis] they might gain insight into the words of the Law.” (13) When leaders value God’s Word, it impacts all of the people of God the serve. They found God had given a command to live in booths during a feast in the seventh month. So they sent out a command to the people with instructions to build temporary structures in the courtyard of God’s house. Everyone who returned from captivity honored this command for: “…Indeed, the sons of Israel had not done so since the days of Joshua the son of Nun to that day. And there was very great rejoicing.” (17b). Ezra read from God’s word daily for seven days, “…And they celebrated the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a festive assembly in the accordance with the ordinance.” (18c). Some devalue celebrations of God and His Word, but it is clear in His Word that celebrations are key to the ongoing spiritual health of God’s people!