So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” 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 8:11-12 (ESV)
Last time we saw Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites declare the day sacred to a weeping people, encouraging them to celebrate as the gladness of the Lord is strength in the battle. Today we see the response.
The past few verses we’ve visited together, Ezra and Nehemiah have made an appearance. Today’s verse specifically points to what the Levites did with the people: Hushed them. The word is chashah – to be silent, still, calm, hush. All the folk were clearly still crying after the leaders’ command to go their way and celebrate.
When grief is sincere it does not end simply or quickly. Perhaps the people were also in shock that, after learning of their corporate falling short, their next move was to party. So the Levites reinforced the command, urging the people to be calm. In fact, the phrase used is be quiet (has – hush! silence!)
This word is only used six times in Scripture:
- Caleb quieting the people after an unbelieving report from the spies to Canaan
- The king of Moab sending out witnesses from his chambers to hear a secret message
- Amos’ woe to those comfortable and rich who say, “Silence! Don’t speak of the LORD”
- Amos’ prophecy of exile resulting in wailing rather then worshiping
- Habbakuk’s command for silence before Yahweh in His temple
- Zephaniah’s command to those who had turned back from following Yahweh to be silent before Him
- And Zechariah’s call that all flesh be silent before Yahweh.
The first word used to describe the Levites’ actions seems almost gentle: chashah – to still, calm, hush. But this one is a stern command as from one in authority.
Beating yourselves up with guilt and grief will not fix this. Hush! Let God work through your corporate sorrow. The day is set apart and your job is not to be vexed or worried.
Grieving with no hope is as debilitating as it sounds. Often when going through gut-wrenchingly hard times, one thing we can cling to is how our walking through it will somehow help others in the future. But we have to have a future in mind, we must know there is a purpose in pain and hope on the horizon. Otherwise we are too prone to give up and wallow in sorrow. And that, in itself, can serve as an excuse to not engage.
So it is a relief to see the next section: “And they went their way (halak – go, go forth, walk, become, continue, brighter, flow, grow, live, travel, wander) greatly (gadol – exceedingly marvelous) rejoicing (simchah – mirth, joy, delight, pleasure, glee, unconcern).
They grew in marvelous mirth. The picture is one of unconcerned delight. Not the privileged kind, the trusting kind. The way Jesus could weep at death and unrepentance and yet intimately know His Father’s work.
It’s what we are called to, friends. Not a lack of engagement, not building walls between us and others. In fact, quite the opposite. Throwing in with our head and heart and hands precisely because we can trust Him with how much it hurts. And how can we know He’s that trustworthy?
“Because (ki) they understood (bin again – to discern, act wisely, interpret, perceive, to think) the words (dabar) declared (yada – know, clearly understand, intimate, experienced, to ascertain by seeing) to them.”
Our grieved gathering was able to obey the command to go on their way with joy – and share with those not ready or rested – because they were given the sense from God’s stinging Word. It was declared to them – intimately known and experienced. While they themselves may not have had such clear and lived understanding of Holy Writ, they could take it on the word of those proclaiming it.
I’ll never forget something recounted a few years ago on social media about a women’s gathering of believers. An older saint stood up to tell the women, “I’m 87 years old. And I’m here to tell you it’s all true.”
How many heartaches had she lived through? Had she buried loved ones? What disappointments and tears into the lap of her Savior had she entrusted? How many times had she had to tell herself, “Just breathe”? And as she looked back, she could say with certainty He was Who He said He was. He was everything His Word declares Him to be. And not only that, she was Who He said she was.
When we don’t know the actual experience of walking with a Living God, we can step out on others’ experience with Him. We can choose to let down our guards and put our faith in the One Who has seen others through the storm and come out not only stronger and wiser, but less concerned with hanging on. Because they know they are being held.
Friends, go your way. Continue your work led by Him, growing brighter as lights in this world. For heaven’s sake, engage! And yet.
Trust. Live in anxious unconcern of others’ approval, opinion, or the ultimate outcome. The ultimate outcome is decided, bought with a humiliating and painful death of the God-Man. Evil and darkness in all forms: white supremacy, hatred, love of power, deception, dishonor, and dehumanizing will all come to an end. We work now with Him to usher in shalom, knowing its fulfillment will be more devastatingly glorious than we could glimpse in even 87 years here.
And such knowledge will grow marvelous mirth.