Very Great Gladness

Nehemiah 8:14-18 KJV

14 And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month: 15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written. 16 So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim. 17 And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness. 18 Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.

The people were reminded of what God's Word said and they were faithful to follow through. Although it had been many years since the Israelites participated in the feast of the tabernacles, they immediately went forth and created booths for themselves in which to dwell.

One thing that stood out to me is "all the congregation." Everyone did this from young to old and from rich to poor. And "there was very great gladness." There was no grumbling or complaining! The people were happy to be back following God's commands.

In addition to all this, they continued to read and study God's Word. They kept the entire feast.

Are we glad when we follow God's commands? If I am honest, there are times I follow grudgingly and there are times I don't follow at all. This is a great reminder that following God's ways is good and a source for gladness.