I love discovering things that are new to me when reading passages that I think I know pretty well. Nehemiah 8 is a favorite of mine. I like the story of the Jews who have returned from exile hearing the Law for the first time. First they cry when they realize what they haven’t been doing. Then the text is explained to them, and they spend the rest of the day celebrating.

But here’s what I missed:

Nehemiah 8:9   And Nehemiah, who was ethe 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.”

This is a holy day… don’t be sad! No crying… this day is God’s.

I’ve been in churches where sadness was next to godliness. Situations in which a smile was seen as disrespectful and heaven help the one who dared to laugh.

This day is holy… so celebrate! Eat good food. Drink enjoyable drinks. Because God’s days are about joy, not about sadness.

Granted, there were times when God’s people were to “afflict their souls,” especially on the Day of Atonement. But that’s not a permanent condition nor a common element of worship. The joy of the Lord is your strength!

It’s amazing how men can take a religion that was/is so full of joy and turn it into something grey and burdensome.