Introduction

Nehemiah 8:13–18: Today’s reading describes the Festival of Shelters, which commemorates the Israelites’ desert wanderings after the exodus from Egypt (see Leviticus 23:39–44; Deuteronomy 16:13–17). The people construct shelters of myrtle, olive, and palm branches as symbols of God’s protection and live in them for seven days, remembering God’s constant care for their ancestors and for themselves.

Today’s Key Verse: Nehemiah 8:18a GNT

From the first day of the festival to the last they read a part of God’s Law every day.

Read

13 The next day the heads of the clans, together with the priests and the Levites, went to Ezra to study the teachings of the Law. 14 They discovered that the Law, which the Lord gave through Moses, ordered the people of Israel to live in temporary shelters during the Festival of Shelters. 15 So they gave the following instructions and sent them all through Jerusalem and the other cities and towns: “Go out to the hills and get branches from pines, olives, myrtles, palms, and other trees to make shelters according to the instructions written in the Law.”

16 So the people got branches and built shelters on the flat roofs of their houses, in their yards, in the Temple courtyard, and in the public squares by the Water Gate and by the Ephraim Gate. 17 All the people who had come back from captivity built shelters and lived in them. This was the first time it had been done since the days of Joshua son of Nun, and everybody was excited and happy. 18 From the first day of the festival to the last they read a part of God’s Law every day. They celebrated for seven days, and on the eighth day there was a closing ceremony, as required in the Law.

Reflect

What do the people do every day of the festival (verse 18)? How much time do you set aside each day to read the Bible? How will you honor God today? How does your faith community celebrate holidays?

Pray

Holy God, you nurture me each day with your Word and your teachings guide my life. May all I say and do today give glory and honor to you. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Nehemiah 9:1–5: The people confess their sins.