9And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. 10Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 11So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
Why do you think they wept? In that context, what do you think “the Joy of the Lord” is?
Briefly share your thought with one another
Though weeping is necessary, it is not the final message God has for us. To show this, Nehemiah and Ezra speak up and correct the people. What a powerful statement of the effect of the Word of God! When people understand it, it brings joy. The joy of the LORD is your strength. What a great word for grieving people who see the evil in their lives and the lives of those around them and mourn over what it has produced! The word that brings joy is that of forgiveness. God can forgive! He does, and He will restore. That is what Jesus meant when He said, Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4). I don’t think you will ever be comforted until you learn to mourn. When you see the hurt, pain, and despair that sin can produce and you grieve over it, then you are ready for the comfort of forgiveness.
What does the joy of the LORD mean? It is the fact that God has found a solution to these problems of sin. He has provided a way back to sensible, sober, wise, helpful, wholesome living. How? By learning to think like He thinks. Begin to see the world from His point of view. Listen no longer to the clamoring voices of the media. Do not take your philosophy of life from what people are saying or the advice others are giving. Listen to the Word of God.
That is the answer. It will heal your life. He sent forth his word and healed them, writes the psalmist (Psalm 107:20). The ministry of the Word of God is to heal us and create in us a desire to share that healing with others. Nehemiah urges the people to send portions of food to those who had nothing prepared. This is invariably the result in those who find their lives beginning to be healed by the Word of God. They start thinking of others who are hurting and want to share with them what they have learned.
What does ‘the joy of the Lord’ mean and how it can heal our life? Do we both celebrate and share with others the Joy which is our heritage?
I think that the people wept because when they understood the Word of the Law, they understood how great of a sinner they are. When we understand God’s word, we understand that our brokenness and deep need for the Lord. However, Nehemiah says do not mourn or weep because he knows the good news. God is greater than our sin and shame and He has sent Jesus to die for our sins. I think the Joy of the Lord is just that. It is knowing that we aren’t stuck in our sin and brokenness but made new and saved in Christ.
I think the people wept because the words of God is powerful and they have been convicted by it. They understand that they had been living without the Words for so long. They aren’t following the laws and they aware of that. But Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites told them not to weep, instead to rejoice in God because of the good things God has done for them and now they get to know the words of God. In the same way, having an acknowledgment that we are all sinners is good, but we also have to remember that our God is greater. Through the death and the resurrection of Christ, we can now rejoice in Him even more. The Joy of the Lord is where we can be in God’s presence again because of what Jesus did on the cross for us.
While reading this passage, the words that kept coming to mind were joy and peace.
The people of Israel wept after hearing Nehemiah and Ezra declare the Word of the Lord that they may grieve but also realize they are forgiven and loved. There is so much peace and pure joy that comes from recognizing the healing that God produces in our lives when He sent Jesus to die on the cross.
I think the people were so overwhelmed with the reality that their deepest, darkest sins were forgiven, that they wept and mourned over what they could now celebrate as the Joy of the Lord.
From brother Brian:
Day 25: Why do you think they wept? In that context, what do you think “the Joy of the Lord” is?
For some reason this Reminds me of one particular New Testament story from Luke 5:8 – When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”
I believe The people wept bc they felt guilty or unworthy of not obeying and loving God after hearing Ezra read the words of God. They may have been Gods people and believed but they may have doubted Gods power and were disobedient. I mean compared to God, none of us are worthy so thankfully we have Jesus 🙂
One thing struck me though. It said “all” the people wept. Are we taking this literally? I think there was like over 50,000 people at the assembly. Also reminds me of Revelation which talks about the 2nd coming of Jesus. Even when Jesus returns not all the people will cry or believe. So idk part of me is trying to understand how can ALL people be affected by hearing Gods words but then when people literally see and witness Jesus, how are they not believing and weeping?
I think they all wept because they understood how they didn’t stand up to the law. Like at all. But they rejoiced bc God had delivered them and they celebrated. Sometimes, I lack that joy of the Lord. The joy of knowing that I am saved by God. Man, that’s such good news.