When my children disobey me, there’s usually tears. I explain what they did wrong and how I’m accountable to God to teach them. The mood is somber. Faces are long. Noses are sniffly. Apologies are mumbled. Then we move into the sentencing phase. An imaginary violin plays above our heads. The occasional atmosphere of family discipline should sound familiar to us. That’s why this scene in Nehemiah is so extraordinary.
Nehemiah, cupbearer turned governor, led his people to return to their dilapidated city. Against crazy opposition, God’s people repaired the wall and slowly started rebuilding their homes. Their city and their hearts were fragile.
Nehemiah 8 says, “all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel.”
Ezra, a mighty man of God, stood on a wooden platform and began to read the Word of God to all the men, women, and children gathered together. As he read, shame washed over the people. Verse by verse their sin was exposed. Rather than honoring God’s law, the people had loved other gods. They sold their birthright and killed the prophets. They neglected, betrayed and profaned the word of God until it lay forgotten under layers of exile.
Sometimes God’s word is sweeter than honey to our taste. Sometimes it feel like dividing joints and marrow. Piercing soul and spirit. Cutting through our sin and idols sans anesthesia.
The people were undone. They began to weep for their sin. The familiar atmosphere of family discipline. How do their godly leaders respond?
Do they declare a monthlong fast?
Do they make everyone tear their clothes and roll in ashes?
Do they declare a season of lament?
No! The opposite. They actually command God’s people to celebrate! (I had to read it several times.) The leaders instruct the people: “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep…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.”
You sinned horribly against God, and you feel terrible. Now go be happy and have a feast.
I love this striking command for 3 reasons:
- “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” This verse was NOT given to a people who were generally suffering or sad, in need of some encouragement. It’s NOT even a Psalm! This verse was delivered to a people lamenting their sin!! Immediately after exposing their transgression, God gives joy to his devastated people. How much more can the follower of Christ grieve and rejoice at the same time over conviction. When we sin, we have an advocate before the Father. We need not dwell long in shame and defeat.We look immediately to the cross and repent. His joy strengthens us to repentance, and his joy leads us to freedom.
. - This exact day pointed to the cross: God ordained this scene to take place on a holy day, the Feast of Trumpets. Numbers 29 tells us that on this day a lot of blood was supposed to flow from the altars “to make atonement” for sin. A lamb without blemish would be included in the sacrifice. As the people wept, they couldn’t even make these sacrifices now, for their temple was in ruin. But this entire feast foreshadowed a day when one lamb, one perfect man, would wear the sin of all his children. For the joy set before him.
. - The people celebrated. Nehemiah 8:2 says, “And 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.” They celebrated because they understood. Understanding and responding to scripture is a gift from God. The ability to grieve and repent from sin is a gift from God. The news wasn’t good. Their sin wasn’t good. But God’s word that cut them now would heal and restore them later, and this was cause for joy.
Maybe you’re a genuine follower of Christ, but the Word is convicting you of sin. Maybe the sermon you heard two days ago got in your face. Praise God! He disciplines those he loves. The cross is still for you, ministry leader, author, pastor’s wife, teacher, and mentor. Your strength will not come from denial, shame, or more good works. It will come from the joy of the Lord, whose blood speaks a better word. Don’t harden your heart or presume upon the riches of his kindness. Rejoice and repent.
Nehemiah tells us that the very next day after feasting God’s people got to work repenting and honoring the word. The joy of the Lord was their strength. It will be yours too.