Movatterモバイル変換

Numbers 13:30
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

“Be still,
This phrase calls for a cessation of activity and an attitude of reverence and reflection. In the context of the assembly, it suggests a need for the people to pause and internalize the words of the Law. The call to be still is echoed in other scriptures, such asPsalm 46:10, where it is associated with recognizing God's sovereignty. It implies trust and submission to God's will, encouraging the people to focus on the spiritual significance of the day rather than their emotional responses.

since today is holy.
The day referred to is the first day of the seventh month, known as the Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah, marking the beginning of the Jewish civil year. It is a sacred time set apart for worship and reflection, as outlined inLeviticus 23:23-25. The holiness of the day underscores the need for the people to approach it with the right mindset, acknowledging God's commands and celebrating His faithfulness. The concept of holiness involves separation from the ordinary and dedication to God, a theme that runs throughout the Old Testament.

Do not grieve.”
The people's initial reaction to the reading of the Law was one of mourning, likely due to the realization of their sins and shortcomings. However, the Levites instruct them not to grieve, as the day is meant for joy and celebration of God's mercy and grace. This directive aligns with the broader biblical theme of repentance leading to restoration and joy.Nehemiah 8:10 further supports this by encouraging the people to find strength in the joy of the Lord. The call to refrain from grieving points to the transformative power of God's word, which convicts but also comforts and renews.

The Levites were the God-appointed teachers of Israel (Deuteronomy 33:10;2 Chronicles 35:3). That morning Ezra had read “the Book of the Law of Moses” aloud, and the people wept as conviction washed over them (Nehemiah 8:7-9). Now the Levites step forward to shepherd hearts as well as minds.

• They “calmed” the assembly—literally moving among the crowd, steadying emotions with gentle words, much like Moses calming Israel at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13-14).

• Teaching Scripture is never just data transfer; it includes pastoral care. Paul echoes this balance when he urges Timothy to “correct, rebuke, and encourage—with great patience” (2 Timothy 4:2).

• God’s Word exposes sin, but God also provides servants who guide us from sorrow to hope (Isaiah 61:1-3).

This is more than a call for silence; it is a summons to quiet trust.

• “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) links stillness with confident faith in God’s sovereignty.

• In moments of conviction, we often rush to fix ourselves. The Levites redirect the people to pause, letting grace sink in.

• Like Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:39), stillness makes space for God to speak comfort after He has spoken conviction.

The first day of the seventh month was the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24), a sacred assembly announcing a new season of grace that would culminate in the Day of Atonement.

• Holiness is not a killjoy; it is the atmosphere of God’s presence.Isaiah 58:13 pictures delight rather than drudgery when the day is kept holy.

• By calling the day “holy,” the Levites remind the people that God has set this time apart for celebration, not condemnation.

• Jesus fulfilled the holy times by bringing perpetual access to God’s presence (Hebrews 10:19-22). Celebration of holiness continues, now centered on Him.

The people’s tears were sincere, but they needed to move from mourning to joy.

• “Weeping may stay the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). After the night of conviction, God sends morning light.

• Paul distinguishes worldly sorrow that crushes from godly sorrow that “brings repentance leading to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10). The Levites steer the people toward that life-giving outcome.

•Romans 8:1 declares, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The pattern is timeless: hear God’s law, feel its weight, then rejoice in His provision.

Nehemiah 8:11 shows a gracious progression: servants of God quiet troubled hearts, call us to trusting stillness, highlight the holiness of the moment, and lift us from grief to joy. Conviction is real, but it is never God’s final word. In Christ we, too, can be still, savor His holiness, and celebrate the freedom He gives.

Parallel Commentaries ...