The Whole Company That Had Returned from Exile Kept the Feast of Tabernacles

Despite the hindrance of Sanballat, Tobiah, and their followers, the Israelites build the temple with one hand, holding a weapon in the other. Finally, they complete the construction of the Jerusalem Temple.

The seventh month comes, and the people gather together with joy in the square before the Water Gate from daybreak, and tell Ezra the priest and teacher to bring out the Book of the Law. Ezra reads the words of the Law in a loud voice, and people hear, understand them, and weep. Then the heads of all the families, priests, and the Levites proclaim to keep the Feast of Tabernacles as written in the Book of the Law. The people bring back branches and build themselves booths. They live in them, and greatly rejoice.

After completely rebuilding the Jerusalem Temple, the Israelites heard the Law which Ezra read and reestablished their fallen faith by keeping it. It is because they clearly understood through their suffering that the most blessed and prosperous way is to live according to God’s will.