Reading of the Word. Nehemiah 8

 

Nehemiah 8 Reading of the Word

 

Ezra is called to bring forth the Book of the Law of Moses. Only those who could “hear with understanding” gathered.

They had been in captivity for seventy years and had never heard the Word of God. It was a new experience for them.

There were thirteen men who stood with Ezra. When Ezra opened God’s Word, everyone stood up, and they remained standing from morn to midday. Then the people went down on all fours and touched the ground with their foreheads. That is the way they worshiped in that day. “And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God.”

The thirteen men were stationed throughout the crowd. Ezra read a portion of the law, and then he stopped. The men would then explain that portion before Ezra would begin again. God wants understanding to come from the reading of His Word. The clear reading of the Law caused a great emotional outburst and the tears of repentance to flow.

They were encouraged to do something for the poor and to rejoice because the joy of the Lord was to be their strength. The Word of God should make us joyful.

The initial studying of God’s Law caused many of the leaders to come to Ezra the following day for more instruction.

There was a celebration of the Feast of the Tabernacles. The dwelling in booths was to be a reminder to them of the fatherly care and protection of God while Israel was journeying from Egypt to Canaan.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible. Nelsons Quick Reference Commentary.