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Notes that are not verse specific
The mention of Ezra (8:2, 9 etc:) along with Nehemiah (:9) demonstrates that Ezra's work was long and ongoing. He had come up with the first wave of returning captivities some 16 or more years earlier. Herein is a lesson in continuing faithfulness.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Peter
READING THE WORD OF GOD
There are several lessons we can gain out of reading God's word from the example of Ezra in this chapter.
1. Ezra read the law aloud for all the people who were able to understand - men, women and children. It was read for all who could hear - and all need to hear. We must not be discriminate about who we let hear the word of God.
2. The people listened attentively. We to must pay close attention when we hear or read God's word.
3. As Ezra read the book all the people stood up. We too must have a great respect for the word of God that he has been good enough to give us.
4. Ezra praised the LORD. All the people echoed his praise by saying "Amen." They bowed their faces to the ground and worshipped. Let your reading, hearing and understanding be accompanied by praise and worship. It helps us to be receptive to his word and to respect and appreciate it.
5. They read from the law making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read. Read the word - not just for the reading - but especially for the understanding.
The people mourned and wept when they heard the Law. Let the word of God affect your life. Let it change, mould and direct you.
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2002 Reply to Robert
In both the 2nd and 8th verses, there is emphasis placed not only on the reading, but the understanding of the Law. The reading would have been in Hebrew. After spending seventy years in captivity, it is understandable that many would not be able to understand what was being said. The Levites would have not only expounded what was being read, but in many cases would have had to translate what was being read.
John Wilson [Toronto West (Can)] Comment added in 2006 Reply to John
8:17 for from the days of Joshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not [celebrated the feast of booths]
This statement seems odd given that Ezra had not many years earlier celebrated the Feast of Booths (Ezra 3:4) and possibly King Solomon (1 Kings 8:2) also.
What then does this verse mean?
There are at least two possibilities (both of which may apply):
1. The Feast of Booths had not been celebrated to the extent that this one in Nehemiah's day was being celebrated. Jerusalem would be filled with branches of chopped down trees - in exact accordance with the Law - and everyone participated.
2. The level of joy experienced in this feast was unprecedented since Joshua's day.
Bruce Bates [Forbes Australia] Comment added in 2023 Reply to Bruce
8:1 [The people] told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses
The people requested that Ezra read the law to them. Ezra was an old man who might have found this request gruelling - the reading went for about 4 hours (v3). Why did they not ask Eliashib, the High Priest? He seems conspicuously absent from these events.
There are at least two possibilities:
1. Eliashib was unwell (he too was an old man) and so could not take part
2. Eliashib's character was compromised as we see in Nehemiah 13, and the people felt it inappropriate to ask Eliashib to read about principles that he was contravening.
Bruce Bates [Forbes Australia] Comment added in 2023 Reply to Bruce
8:3 And [Ezra] read from it facing the square before the Water Gate
Why did Ezra read at the Water gate and not at the outskirts of the Temple?
The Water gate was a popular spot where water was obtained, space was plentiful for families to gather, and so all the people would often mill there. By contrast the Temple was less expansive and some areas were restricted to priests only.
Bruce Bates [Forbes Australia] Comment added in 2023 Reply to Bruce
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1. And all the people <5971> gathered themselves together <622>(8735) as one <259> man <376> into the street <7339> that was before <6440> the water <4325> gate <8179>; and they spake <559>(8799) unto Ezra <5830> the scribe <5608>(8802) to bring <935>(8687) the book <5612> of the law <8451> of Moses <4872>, which the LORD <3068> had commanded <6680>(8765) to Israel <3478>.
2. And Ezra <5830> the priest <3548> brought <935>(8686) the law <8451> before <6440> the congregation <6951> both of men <376> and women <802>, and all that could hear <8085>(8800) with understanding <995>(8688), upon the first <259> day <3117> of the seventh <7637> month <2320>.
3. And he read <7121>(8799) therein before <6440> the street <7339> that was before <6440> the water <4325> gate <8179> from the morning <216> until midday <4276> <3117>, before the men <582> and the women <802>, and those that could understand <995>(8688); and the ears <241> of all the people <5971> were attentive unto the book <5612> of the law <8451>.
4. And Ezra <5830> the scribe <5608>(8802) stood <5975>(8799) upon a pulpit <4026> of wood <6086>, which they had made <6213>(8804) for the purpose <1697>; and beside <681> him stood <5975>(8799) Mattithiah <4993>, and Shema <8087>, and Anaiah <6043>, and Urijah <223>, and Hilkiah <2518>, and Maaseiah <4641>, on his right hand <3225>; and on his left hand <8040>, Pedaiah <6305>, and Mishael <4332>, and Malchiah <4441>, and Hashum <2828>, and Hashbadana <2806>, Zechariah <2148>, and Meshullam <4918>.
5. And Ezra <5830> opened <6605>(8799) the book <5612> in the sight <5869> of all the people <5971>; (for he was above all the people <5971>;) and when he opened <6605>(8800) it, all the people <5971> stood up <5975>(8804):
6. And Ezra <5830> blessed <1288>(8762) the LORD <3068>, the great <1419> God <430>. And all the people <5971> answered <6030>(8799), Amen <543>, Amen <543>, with lifting up <4607> their hands <3027>: and they bowed <6915>(8799) their heads, and worshipped <7812>(8691) the LORD <3068> with their faces <639> to the ground <776>.
7. Also Jeshua <3442>, and Bani <1137>, and Sherebiah <8274>, Jamin <3226>, Akkub <6126>, Shabbethai <7678>, Hodijah <1941>, Maaseiah <4641>, Kelita <7042>, Azariah <5838>, Jozabad <3107>, Hanan <2605>, Pelaiah <6411>, and the Levites <3881>, caused the people <5971> to understand <995>(8688) the law <8451>: and the people <5971> stood in their place <5977>.
8. So they read <7121>(8799) in the book <5612> in the law <8451> of God <430> distinctly <6567>(8794), and gave <7760>(8800) the sense <7922>, and caused them to understand <995>(8799) the reading <4744>.
9. And Nehemiah <5166>, which is the Tirshatha <8660>, and Ezra <5830> the priest <3548> the scribe <5608>(8802), and the Levites <3881> that taught <995>(8688) the people <5971>, said <559>(8799) unto all the people <5971>, This day <3117> is holy <6918> unto the LORD <3068> your God <430>; mourn <56>(8691) not, nor weep <1058>(8799). For all the people <5971> wept <1058>(8802), when they heard <8085>(8800) the words <1697> of the law <8451>.
10. Then he said <559>(8799) unto them, Go your way <3212>(8798), eat <398>(8798) the fat <4924>, and drink <8354>(8798) the sweet <4477>, and send <7971>(8798) portions <4490> unto them for whom nothing is prepared <3559>(8737): for this day <3117> is holy <6918> unto our Lord <113>: neither be ye sorry <6087>(8735); for the joy <2304> of the LORD <3068> is your strength <4581>.
11. So the Levites <3881> stilled <2814>(8688) all the people <5971>, saying <559>(8800), Hold your peace <2013>(8761), for the day <3117> is holy <6918>; neither be ye grieved <6087>(8735).
12. And all the people <5971> went their way <3212>(8799) to eat <398>(8800), and to drink <8354>(8800), and to send <7971>(8763) portions <4490>, and to make <6213>(8800) great <1419> mirth <8057>, because they had understood <995>(8689) the words <1697> that were declared <3045>(8689) unto them.
13. And on the second <8145> day <3117> were gathered together <622>(8738) the chief <7218> of the fathers <1> of all the people <5971>, the priests <3548>, and the Levites <3881>, unto Ezra <5830> the scribe <5608>(8802), even to understand <7919>(8687) the words <1697> of the law <8451>.
14. And they found <4672>(8799) written <3789>(8803) in the law <8451> which the LORD <3068> had commanded <6680>(8765) by <3027> Moses <4872>, that the children <1121> of Israel <3478> should dwell <3427>(8799) in booths <5521> in the feast <2282> of the seventh <7637> month <2320>:
15. And that they should publish <8085>(8686) and proclaim <5674>(8686) <6963> in all their cities <5892>, and in Jerusalem <3389>, saying <559>(8800), Go forth <3318>(8798) unto the mount <2022>, and fetch <935>(8685) olive <2132> branches <5929>, and pine <8081> branches <6086> <5929>, and myrtle <1918> branches <5929>, and palm <8558> branches <5929>, and branches <5929> of thick <5687> trees <6086>, to make <6213>(8800) booths <5521>, as it is written <3789>(8803).
16. So the people <5971> went forth <3318>(8799), and brought <935>(8686) them, and made <6213>(8799) themselves booths <5521>, every one <376> upon the roof of his house <1406>, and in their courts <2691>, and in the courts <2691> of the house <1004> of God <430>, and in the street <7339> of the water <4325> gate <8179>, and in the street <7339> of the gate <8179> of Ephraim <669>.
17. And all the congregation <6951> of them that were come again <7725>(8802) out of the captivity <7628> made <6213>(8799) booths <5521>, and sat <3427>(8799) under the booths <5521>: for since the days <3117> of Jeshua <3442> the son <1121> of Nun <5126> unto that day <3117> had not the children <1121> of Israel <3478> done so <6213>(8804). And there was very <3966> great <1419> gladness <8057>.
18. Also day <3117> by day <3117>, from the first <7223> day <3117> unto the last <314> day <3117>, he read <7121>(8799) in the book <5612> of the law <8451> of God <430>. And they kept <6213>(8799) the feast <2282> seven <7651> days <3117>; and on the eighth <8066> day <3117> was a solemn assembly <6116>, according unto the manner <4941>.
Notes that are not verse specific
3:18 At this time of blessing which is described in the latter part of this chapter we see a reversal of the punishment (1:12) where the vine was to fail.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Peter
THE LAST BATTLE
Take Note! This will be the time just before the Lord Jesus Christ is revealed. This could be your last warning before it is too late. When you see the things prophesied in this chapter happening - whether you agree with the actions that the nations take or not - know this, that these are the last moments of the word systems as we know them. Huge changes are about to happen. So what are the things to watch for? It will be when the nations (the whole world) prepares for war. They will quickly assemble from all over the world to go into the valley of Jehosophat, just outside Jerusalem, in Israel. Multitudes of people will be gathered there against Jerusalem. When you see these things come to pass then know that the time has come when God will directly intervene against them and the battle by the nations will be lost.
After that will come the new time when God will renew the world and be at one with his people in peace, plenty and love for ever and ever. The lesson for us is that we must be prepared. If you leave it until then it may be too late.
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2002 Reply to Robert
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1. For, behold, in those days <3117>, and in that time <6256>, when I shall bring again <7725>(8686)(8675) <7725>(8799) the captivity <7622> of Judah <3063> and Jerusalem <3389>,
2. I will also gather <6908>(8765) all nations <1471>, and will bring them down <3381>(8689) into the valley <6010> of Jehoshaphat <3092>, and will plead <8199>(8738) with them there for my people <5971> and for my heritage <5159> Israel <3478>, whom they have scattered <6340>(8765) among the nations <1471>, and parted <2505>(8765) my land <776>.
3. And they have cast <3032>(8804) lots <1486> for my people <5971>; and have given <5414>(8799) a boy <3206> for an harlot <2181>(8802), and sold <4376>(8804) a girl <3207> for wine <3196>, that they might drink <8354>(8799).
4. Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre <6865>, and Zidon <6721>, and all the coasts <1552> of Palestine <6429>? will ye render <7999>(8764) me a recompence <1576>? and if ye recompense <1580>(8802) me, swiftly <7031> and speedily <4120> will I return <7725>(8686) your recompence <1576> upon your own head <7218>;
5. Because ye have taken <3947>(8804) my silver <3701> and my gold <2091>, and have carried <935>(8689) into your temples <1964> my goodly <2896> pleasant things <4261>:
6. The children <1121> also of Judah <3063> and the children <1121> of Jerusalem <3389> have ye sold <4376>(8804) unto the Grecians <3125> <1121>, that ye might remove them far <7368>(8687) from their border <1366>.
7. Behold, I will raise <5782>(8688) them out of the place <4725> whither ye have sold <4376>(8804) them, and will return <7725>(8689) your recompence <1576> upon your own head <7218>:
8. And I will sell <4376>(8804) your sons <1121> and your daughters <1323> into the hand <3027> of the children <1121> of Judah <3063>, and they shall sell <4376>(8804) them to the Sabeans <7615>, to a people <1471> far off <7350>: for the LORD <3068> hath spoken <1696>(8765) it.
9. Proclaim <7121>(8798) ye this among the Gentiles <1471>; Prepare <6942>(8761) war <4421>, wake up <5782>(8685) the mighty men <1368>, let all the men <582> of war <4421> draw near <5066>(8799); let them come up <5927>(8799):
10. Beat <3807>(8798) your plowshares <855> into swords <2719>, and your pruninghooks <4211> into spears <7420>: let the weak <2523> say <559>(8799), I am strong <1368>.
11. Assemble <5789>(8798) yourselves, and come <935>(8798), all ye heathen <1471>, and gather yourselves together <6908>(8738) round about <5439>: thither cause thy mighty ones <1368> to come down <5181>(8685), O LORD <3068>.
12. Let the heathen <1471> be wakened <5782>(8735), and come up <5927>(8799) to the valley <6010> of Jehoshaphat <3092>: for there will I sit <3427>(8799) to judge <8199>(8800) all the heathen <1471> round about <5439>.
13. Put <7971>(8798) ye in the sickle <4038>, for the harvest <7105> is ripe <1310>(8804): come <935>(8798), get you down <3381>(8798); for the press <1660> is full <4390>(8804), the fats <3342> overflow <7783>(8689); for their wickedness <7451> is great <7227>.
14. Multitudes <1995>, multitudes <1995> in the valley <6010> of decision <2742>: for the day <3117> of the LORD <3068> is near <7138> in the valley <6010> of decision <2742>.
15. The sun <8121> and the moon <3394> shall be darkened <6937>(8804), and the stars <3556> shall withdraw <622>(8804) their shining <5051>.
16. The LORD <3068> also shall roar <7580>(8799) out of Zion <6726>, and utter <5414>(8799) his voice <6963> from Jerusalem <3389>; and the heavens <8064> and the earth <776> shall shake <7493>(8804): but the LORD <3068> will be the hope <4268> of his people <5971>, and the strength <4581> of the children <1121> of Israel <3478>.
17. So shall ye know <3045>(8804) that I am the LORD <3068> your God <430> dwelling <7931>(8802) in Zion <6726>, my holy <6944> mountain <2022>: then shall Jerusalem <3389> be holy <6944>, and there shall no strangers <2114>(8801) pass through <5674>(8799) her any more.
18. And it shall come to pass in that day <3117>, that the mountains <2022> shall drop down <5197>(8799) new wine <6071>, and the hills <1389> shall flow <3212>(8799) with milk <2461>, and all the rivers <650> of Judah <3063> shall flow <3212>(8799) with waters <4325>, and a fountain <4599> shall come forth <3318>(8799) of the house <1004> of the LORD <3068>, and shall water <8248>(8689) the valley <5158> of Shittim <7851>.
19. Egypt <4714> shall be a desolation <8077>, and Edom <123> shall be a desolate <8077> wilderness <4057>, for the violence <2555> against the children <1121> of Judah <3063>, because they have shed <8210>(8804) innocent <5355> blood <1818> in their land <776>.
20. But Judah <3063> shall dwell <3427>(8799) for ever <5769>, and Jerusalem <3389> from generation <1755> to generation <1755>.
21. For I will cleanse <5352>(8765) their blood <1818> that I have not cleansed <5352>(8765): for the LORD <3068> dwelleth <7931>(8802) in Zion <6726>.
Notes that are not verse specific
:14 That the disorderly brother should be 'ashamed' indicates that the brother was still in contact with the brethren and sisters even though he may have been withdrawn from. Notice also the objective is his restoration, not his destruction. He could only be 'ashamed' if he could see what his brethren and sisters were doing.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Peter
LIVING IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST'S RETURN
This 2nd book to the Thessalonians is especially meaningful to those who are persecuted or who are under pressure for their faith. In chapter 1 we are told what suffering can do for us. In chapter 2 we are assured of the final victory. In chapter 3 we are encouraged to continue to live in the light of God's word in spite of difficult circumstances. Christ's return is more than a doctrine, it is a promise. May it impact how we live today!
Peter Dulis [toronto west] Comment added in 2010 Reply to Peter
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1. Finally <3063>, brethren <80>, pray <4336>(5737) for <4012> us <2257>, that <2443> the word <3056> of the Lord <2962> may have free course <5143>(5725), and <2532> be glorified <1392>(5747), even <2532> as <2531> it is with <4314> you <5209>:
2. And <2532> that <2443> we may be delivered <4506>(5686) from <575> unreasonable <824> and <2532> wicked <4190> men <444>: for <1063> all <3956> men have not <3756> faith <4102>.
3. But <1161> the Lord <2962> is <2076>(5748) faithful <4103>, who <3739> shall stablish <4741>(5692) you <5209>, and <2532> keep <5442>(5692) you from <575> evil <4190>.
4. And <1161> we have confidence <3982>(5754) in <1722> the Lord <2962> touching <1909> you <5209>, that <3754> ye both <2532> do <4160>(5719) and <2532> will do <4160>(5692) the things which <3739> we command <3853>(5719) you <5213>.
5. And <1161> the Lord <2962> direct <2720>(5659) your <5216> hearts <2588> into <1519> the love <26> of God <2316>, and <2532> into <1519> the patient waiting <5281> for Christ <5547>.
6. Now <1161> we command <3853>(5719) you <5213>, brethren <80>, in <1722> the name <3686> of our <2257> Lord <2962> Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>, that ye withdraw <4724>(5733) yourselves <5209> from <575> every <3956> brother <80> that walketh <4043>(5723) disorderly <814>, and <2532> not <3361> after <2596> the tradition <3862> which <3739> he received <3880>(5627) of <3844> us <2257>.
7. For <1063> yourselves <846> know <1492>(5758) how <4459> ye ought <1163>(5748) to follow <3401>(5738) us <2248>: for <3754> we behaved <812> <0> not <3756> ourselves disorderly <812>(5656) among <1722> you <5213>;
8. Neither <3761> did we eat <5315>(5627) any man's <3844> <5100> bread <740> for nought <1432>; but <235> wrought <2038>(5740) with <1722> labour <2873> and <2532> travail <3449> night <3571> and <2532> day <2250>, that <4314> we might <1912> <0> not <3361> be chargeable <1912>(5658) to any <5100> of you <5216>:
9. Not <3756> because <3754> we have <2192>(5719) not <3756> power <1849>, but <235> to <2443> make <1325>(5632) ourselves <1438> an ensample <5179> unto you <5213> to <1519> follow <3401>(5738) us <2248>.
10. For <1063> even <2532> when <3753> we were <2258>(5713) with <4314> you <5209>, this <5124> we commanded <3853>(5707) you <5213>, that <3754> if any <1536> would <2309>(5719) not <3756> work <2038>(5738), neither <3366> should he eat <2068>(5720).
11. For <1063> we hear <191>(5719) that there are some <5100> which walk <4043>(5723) among <1722> you <5213> disorderly <814>, working <2038>(5740) not at all <3367>, but <235> are busybodies <4020>(5740).
12. Now <1161> them that are such <5108> we command <3853>(5719) and <2532> exhort <3870>(5719) by <1223> our <2257> Lord <2962> Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>, that <2443> with <3326> quietness <2271> they work <2038>(5740), and eat <2068>(5725) their own <1438> bread <740>.
13. But <1161> ye <5210>, brethren <80>, be <1573> <0> not <3361> weary <1573>(5661) in well doing <2569>(5723).
14. And <1161> if any man <1536> obey <5219>(5719) not <3756> our <2257> word <3056> by <1223> this epistle <1992>, note <4593>(5732) that <5126> man, and <2532> have <4874> <0> no <3361> company with <4874>(5732) him <846>, that <2443> he may be ashamed <1788>(5652).
15. Yet <2532> count <2233>(5737) him not <3361> as <5613> an enemy <2190>, but <235> admonish <3560>(5720) him as <5613> a brother <80>.
16. Now <1161> the Lord <2962> of peace <1515> himself <846> give <1325>(5630) you <5213> peace <1515> always <1223> <3956> by <1722> all <3956> means <5158>. The Lord <2962> be with <3326> you <5216> all <3956>.
17. The salutation <783> of Paul <3972> with mine own <1699> hand <5495>, which <3739> is <2076>(5748) the token <4592> in <1722> every <3956> epistle <1992>: so <3779> I write <1125>(5719).
18. The grace <5485> of our <2257> Lord <2962> Jesus <2424> Christ <5547> be with <3326> you <5216> all <3956>. Amen <281>. The second <1208> epistle to <4314> the Thessalonians <2331> was written <1125>(5648) from <575> Athens <116>.