MPV Commentary

A Solemn Fast and Repentance of the People.

1. On the twenty-fourth day of this month, the people gathered for a solemn fast. This was two days after the close of the feast of tabernacles, which had begun on the fourteenth and ended on the twenty-second (Lev 23:34-37). The previous day, the twenty-third, had been spent separating those who were living with unlawful wives from their partners, as well as taking steps to avoid unnecessary contact with surrounding heathen communities. Although Ezra had previously taken similar measures (Ezra 10:1-17), it appears that this effort was incomplete and imperfect. Many cases of delinquency remained unaddressed, and new offenders had emerged who had formed forbidden alliances. As a result, Nehemiah felt compelled to take decisive action to address the social evil threatening the people's character and prosperity.

A solemn fast was observed to express the penitential feelings that had been suppressed during the feast. The sincerity of their repentance was evident in the steps they took to correct existing abuses in marriage.

2. They confessed their sins, as well as those of their fathers. Their recent sufferings served as a reminder of the punishment for national apostasy and guilt. By following the same evil ways, they had made themselves partakers of their fathers' sins.

3. The people continued reading from the book of the law with extraordinary zeal. They devoted one-fourth of the day to this activity, which lasted for three hours (a Jewish day was considered twelve hours long). This solemn period of worship began at the morning sacrifice and continued until the evening sacrifice. During this time, they acknowledged and adored God's great mercy in forgiving their numerous offenses, delivering them from impending judgments, continuing His word and blessings among them, and seeking an extension of His grace and protection.