Nehemiah 8 Rejoicing
(Nehemiah 8:9) …, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. (10) Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (NKJV)
Scripture provides ample examples of God’s people
remembering the less fortunate on occasions of Great Joy.
(2 Samuel 6:18-19) And when David had finished offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. Then he distributed among all the people, among the whole multitude of Israel, both the women and the men, to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed, everyone to his house. (NKJV)
(Esther 9:20-22) And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, to establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar, as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor. (NKJV)
Contrast these passages of giving – caring – providing
… with the New Testament warning … found in James
(James 2:14-16) What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? (NKJV)
(Nehemiah 8:10) …, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (NKJV)
… The Joy of the Lord is found in the reading of the law
In the giving and provision for one another
In the feeding of the poor and lowly
Just as “provisions” are to be shared … so is the “provision” of Great Joy
(Nehemiah 12:27) Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps. (NKJV)
NOTE:
they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate.
The celebration was in Jerusalem
… to celebrate … the congregation had to be physically present.
Attendance has SO many Benefits … and is taken SO lightly
(Nehemiah 12:42-43) … The singers sang loudly with Jezrahiah the director. Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off. (NKJV)
Rejoiced … Rejoice … Rejoiced
The repetition emphasizes the unrestrained rejoicing
… of great magnitude … those “present” (from parts near and afar off) rejoiced
One can “look” at Joy from a distance … Aint nuttin like being there
Celebrate the wedding feast … in person … a lasting memory
Celebrate the birth of the first born … in person … a lasting memory
Celebrate the Day of The Lord … in person … Aint nuttin like being there
One may leave the assembly of the saints … carrying with them Great Joy
It is a tremendous assembly of the saints
… when the people of God gather together … to rejoice in the Lord
It is a tremendous assembly of the saints … to be present
… when a burdened soul … receives the count of many blessings
It is nothing short of a real and present responsibility
… to comfort those who mourn … not to be taken lightly … not to be absent from
“Collective Holy sorrow” is precious before God,
“Collective Un-Restrained Rejoicing” is precious before God
(Hebrews 10:24-25) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (NKJV)
This is not a “distant responsibility” … but a “present duty” to the brotherhood
(Nehemiah 8:9) …, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.
It is in the assembly … one feels the cutting edge of God’s Word
… like a sword opening up the heart
It is in the assembly … that those who mourn can mourn together
It is in the assembly … that those who Rejoice can Rejoice together
It is in the assembly … that voices can unite … the gospel hymns
It is in the assembly … that voices can unite … in the Word of God
It is in the assembly … that giving takes place
Giving of one’s time for the Kingdom
Giving of one’s heart for Edification Of the Saints
(1 Thessalonians 5:11) Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (NKJV)
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