Nehemiah 8 begins on the Feast of Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah.

The children of Israel had long overlooked the reading of the Scriptures in their annual celebration of this Feast. But on this, their New Year’s Day, Ezra revived this ritual.

The reading was held in the street beside the temple so all the people had space to stand. For six hours, the priests read the law of Moses, translated it into the people’s common language, and made sure God’s words were clear to all.

It had been so long since the people had heard God’s law that they stood astonished. They realized they had unwittingly been breaking God’s law, regularly and often, for years. Now aware of what wrongs their community was guilty of, they wept, repentant and ashamed.

How about you? How do God’s words move you? What encouragement, what reprimands, or what missions do they hold for you each time you read them?

God’s Word is a feast. It has something to offer each time you open it. Don’t miss out. Look for a morsel. Look for a main dish. Chew on it throughout your day. As you feast, it nourishes you and you will grow spiritually stronger.