Nehemiah 8-10

On the first day of the 7th month the people gathered in Jerusalem and had Ezra the priest bring out the law of Moses, for it to be read to them.  He read the law, and the priests interpreted and explained its meaning to the people, so that they understood it.  Upon reading God’s law, the people went out and gathered materials to make temporary shelters, so that they could celebrate the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) in remembrance of the 40 years that Israel lived in tents, which was the first time that Israel had celebrated this feast throughout its history.

After celebrating the Feast of Booths, the people came back together and entered into a contract with God, to serve Him, and to obey His commandments going forward, with the priests and the leaders of the people affixing each of their names to a document that declared their intentions before God.