Matthew Henry Commentary Nehemiah 8:13-18

"And on the second day were gathered together the heads of fathers` [houses] of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words of the law. And they found written in the law, how that Jehovah had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month; and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and branches of wild olive, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written. So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the broad place of the water gate, and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim. And all the assembly of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and dwelt in the booths; for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness. Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the ordinance." — Nehemiah 8:13-18 (ASV)

They found it written in the Law about the Feast of Tabernacles. Those who diligently search the Scriptures find things written there that they have forgotten. This Feast of Tabernacles was a representation of the believer's temporary state in this world and a type of the holy joy of the gospel church. The conversion of the nations to the faith of Christ is foretold through the imagery of this feast (Zechariah 14:16). True religion will make us strangers and pilgrims on earth.

We read and hear the word acceptably and profitably when we act according to what is written in it; this happens when what appears to be our duty is revived after it has been neglected. They focused on the substance; otherwise, the ceremony would have been of no use. They did it, rejoicing in God and His goodness.

These are the means that the Spirit of God uses successfully to bring the hearts of sinners to tremble and to become humbled before God. But those who always indulge sorrow, even for sin, and reject the consolations offered by the word and Spirit of God are enemies to their own growth in holiness.