1 And 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. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
9 And 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. 10 Then 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.” 11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 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. ~ Nehemiah 8:1-3, 9-12
On the first day of Tishrei, the Feast of Trumpets, the people of Judah returned home to their Promised Land of Judea. After over 100 years in captivity, they were able to openly read, teach, and discuss the Torah in the streets. And when they heard it, they wept. They mourned. They hadn’t been keeping their Law as they should have in captivity. And when they did, the Levites calmed all the people, encouraging them to rejoice because it was a Holy Day. And the people did as the Levites encouraged them to.
They didn’t know what they were rejoicing for, but they did it anyway because they believed and trusted the Levites. They rejoiced in something they didn’t know, nor fully understand. Today, we know what they were rejoicing for. We now know the mystery. This is the day set to foreshadow our Savior returning for His Church. What a great day to rejoice and look forward to. They rejoiced in what they didn’t know or understand; let us now rejoice even more in what we do know and understand.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Rejoice For His Return.