The Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah describe the return of many Israelites from the captivity of Babylon, and the rebuilding of the Temple and the wall of Jerusalem. Both of these books also point to the future rebuilding of Israel.

In Ezra chapter two, fifty thousand people returned from Babylon and settled in their old home towns. In chapter three, on the first day of the seventh month, they assembled in Jerusalem, built an altar and began sacrifices to the Lord.

The seventh month of the Hebrew calendar is Tishri, which corresponds to September or October. The Lord instructed the Children of Israel to celebrate three feasts during this month; the Feast of Trumpets on the first day, the Day of Atonement on the tenth day, and the Feast of Harvest or Tabernacles on the fifteenth day.

Ezra chapter three notes that the people assembled on the first day of the seventh month, but makes no mention of the Feast of Trumpets. They do, however, begin preparation for the Feast of Tabernacles.

In Nehemiah chapter eight, the Temple has been completed (as described in the previous book, Ezra) and the wall around Jerusalem is complete. Once again, on the first day of the seventh month (the Feast of Trumpets) all the people of Israel gathered in a square in Jerusalem.

The assembly was made up of men and women and “all who could understand.” The people asked Ezra to read from the Law of Moses, or the first five books of the Bible. Ezra read the Law from a platform built for the occasion. He read from “daybreak until noon”(!!) As he read, the Levites instructed the people in the Law. I find it astounding that Ezra spoke for hours to a group of fifty thousand people. And that they could hear him. And that they stood for hours.

During this time of instruction, the people, apparently realizing that they had not obeyed the Law of God, began to mourn and weep. Three times Nehemiah and the priests told the people, “This day is sacred to our God. Do not mourn and weep.” The Feast of Trumpets is to be a day of celebration. The picture of the Jews mourning and weeping when they heard the Law, reminds me of how the Jews will mourn when they recognize Jesus and realize that they rebelled against Him. (Zechariah 12:10)

The number eight in the Bible frequently infers new beginnings. The Lord instituted the seven day week at Creation. After seven days of the week the eighth day starts a new week. There were eight people on the Ark of Noah to begin again the human race. David, who began the Kingdom of Israel and from whom Jesus is descended, was the eighth son of Jesse. Chapter eight of Nehemiah is also about new beginnings.

This is the background of Nehemiah chapter eight. In the next lesson we will see pictures that point to the Christian Age and possibly the beginning of the Kingdom Age. Until then, praise the Lord. He deserves all honor and praise!