The Law

Nehemiah 8:9-12    Nehemías 8:9-12
    "Y Nehemías el gobernador, y el sacerdote Esdras, escriba, y los levitas que hacían entender al pueblo, dijeron a todo el pueblo: Día santo es a Jehová nuestro Dios; no os entristezcáis, ni lloréis; porque todo el pueblo lloraba oyendo las palabras de la ley.
    Luego les dijo: Id, comed grosuras, y bebed vino dulce, y enviad porciones a los que no tienen nada preparado; porque día santo es a nuestro Señor; no os entristezcáis, porque el gozo de Jehová es vuestra fuerza.
    Los levitas, pues, hacían callar a todo el pueblo, diciendo: Callad, porque es día santo, y no os entristezcáis.
    Y todo el pueblo se few a comer y a beber, y a obsequiar porciones, y a gozar de grande alegría, porque habían entendido las palabras que les habían enseñado.”
RVR 1960

    “And Nehemiah, who was the governor, 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 nor weep.’ For all the people wept, when they heard to words of the Law.
    Then he said to them, ‘Go on your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.’
    So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, ‘Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.’ And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.” NKJV

    Upon hearing the burdensome law, the Israelites wept. The book of the law (which I am guessing was Leviticus) is long and intricate. Not to mention expensive to keep properly, and dangerous to cheat. I can understand why they would be distressed. But the Levites and the priests put everything back into perspective for them. Yeah, the law was tough, but they were serving and rejoicing in a God who just freed them from slavery once again and restored their walls and security. They were serving the God who created the world--why shouldn’t they rejoice?
    I think I get into the same type of wrong mindset from time to time. I lay down, after a long day of struggling with sin and I think of all the years that could be ahead of me and I wonder if every day will be the same. Every day filled with failure. Never meeting God's best for me.
    It takes the realization that I am serving such a great Master to pull me out. I should have no reason to mourn when I have the love of Jesus.
    I need to spend more time in prayer, contemplating who my God and my Father is and getting to know Him more.