June 27, 2023
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Reading along with us in Nehemiah? Here’s today’s reading:
Nehemiah 8 (NIV)
1 all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.
2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.…..Continue Reading
In this chapter we see corporate worship but not of the singing type. The people did not get together to sing praises but rather listen to the law read and explained to them. I guess it shouldn’t surprise us that their first reaction was one of grief. I imagine to stand in this city in need of such exhaustive repair as a result of how far the people had fallen away from God’s laws would bring that emotion. Although conviction should be a natural response for all of us as we think of how often we disobey and fall short and yet the grace of God is ever present despite that! So thankful to know the joy of the Lord is our strength!
It’s good to see the enthusiasm of the people during and after the reading of the Book of the Law. The following Festival of Tabernacles was the most joyous held in years. When we are all pulling in the same direction, good things happen most of the time.
Nehemiah 8
Nehemiah 8, how I wish to have Bible explained where everything was crystal clear!
An instructor is a challenging profession. Must know the subject matter, must speak the language and convey meaning without confusion, be able to translate difficult information to an audience of learned and unlearned folk. Ezra was all this and more. He loved the people, and instructed from a heart of love. Truly, these people were blessed beyond measure! -gy
Nehemiah 8
All verses read
Now in this chapter the people gathered as one man and asked Ezra the priest and scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses. He read from morning to midday and he read it for seven days while he stood on a pulpit so the people could hear him. It is also noted that the people stood up when Ezra read the scriptures. They also raised their hands and bowed their heads. Does anyone know how long the reading was each day/ It says from morning to midday. If I remember correctly the Jewish day started at 6am each day. Not at midnight like we have it. I might remember this wrong. Also the people were told not to mourn, or weep for they had been mourning and weeping. They were to treat the day as holy unto the Lord and have a feast for seven days dwelling in booths and with gladness. On the eighth day they were to have a solemn assembly. Thank God for His word [Bible] for out of it we can learn so much. We should consider ourselves blessed for we have the whole scriptures and the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. Something the Jewish people didn`t have.
I believe the day started as 6AM as you supposed.
Reading from daybreak ’till noon….which as Peter pointed out may have been from the first hour to Noon….it would be good in this case to do a study on the word “daybreak”. I often think “how is it in my life that I have not done this at least once in my life ?
If only we would all be as enthusiastic and moved by the word of God and attentive as well as the Jews are here. It shows real dedication to the word to read and listen that long. But it is also easier to have this enthusiasm when it is a new thing, which for these returning Jews, it was. The key though is to continue to allow the word to penetrate, guide, convict and transform us. Imagine what a different people and place the Jews and Palestine would be in if the Jews had done that. It is striking all the harm their disobedience brought, just as God said it would. It is no wonder that they received the word with sadness recognizing all the past generations hadn’t done. And yet how wise Nehemiah is to remind them there is reason for rejoicing as well for the place they were in now and all that God had done. The joy of the Lord is our strength. As you may have heard me say, if we do not see and believe the joy that God brings, I assure you other offers for joy will come your way and seem more appealing. And just how new is this instruction to them? They didn’t even know one of the major festivals that the Jews celebrated. It was meant to be a joyous thing for them be reminded of what it was to live in temporary shelters while they were wandering in the desert. And how nice for this returned remnant to celebrate it presumably for the first time….
Nehemiah 8
Nehemiah 8
Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
We should start reading the Bible in the town square….just until noon. 😀
Not only did the people listen attentively to the reading of the Law, they were also instructed about it by the teachers so they could understand what was being read. It’s important that we also get a clear understanding of God’s word by listening to sermons, attending bible studies, fellowshipping with church members, reading daily devotionals, etc. The Holy Spirit will help us find the true meaning of God’s word when we seek it.