9 Then 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 were weeping when they heard the words of the law . 10 Then he said to them, "Go , eat of the fat , drink of the sweet , and send portions to him who has nothing prepared ; for this day is holy to our Lord . Do not be grieved , for the joy of the Lord is your strength ." 11 So the Levites calmed all the people , saying , "Be still , for the day is holy ; do not be grieved ." 12 All the people went away to eat , to drink , to send portions and to celebrate a great festival , because they understood the words which had been made known to them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 8:9-12
Commentary on Nehemiah 8:9-12
(Read Nehemiah 8:9-12)
It was a good sign that their hearts were tender, when they heard the words of the law. The people were to send portions to those for whom nothing was prepared. It is the duty of a religious feast, as well as of a religious fast, to draw out the soul to the hungry; God's bounty should make us bountiful. We must not only give to those that offer themselves, but send to those out of sight. Their strength consisted in joy in the Lord. The better we understand God's word, the more comfort we find in it; the darkness of trouble arises from the darkness of ignorance.