Rebuilding Through God's Word

Introduction:

We are now moving into the second portion of the book of Nehemiah. Once the walls were completed and the people were officially registered in the public records, it was time to build a strong spiritual foundation. One that would last for generations to come. Nehemiah understood well that rebuilding the nation meant rebuilding the people to some extent.

He quickly realized that the his brethren needed to be seeking the Lord with all of their hearts, soul, and strength (Deut 6:5). They also needed to obey God’s Word, and be totally devoted to the Lord. Nehemiah summoned all the people to a great “Celebration and Dedication Service.”

At this meeting, Ezra the scribe read and taught the Law of Moses to the people. No doubt it was a powerful and moving time in the Word of God, because the people were immediately struck in their hearts to obey God’s Word, praying and confessing their sins to the LORD. The people made a firm covenant to obey the Lord wholeheartedly. Whatever was read from God’s Word, they immediately put into practice. It was a true revival of the entire nation.

Remember that this book of Nehemiah was written to the Jews who had faithfully worked with him to complete the building and rebuilding of the walls and to the future generations who also needed to remain faithful. Ultimately they needed to be faithful to the Lord. Jerusalem had been rebuilt with great sacrifice. Now that the city of God was built, they needed God’s guidance more than ever. Nehemiah knew that constant devotion and continued revival were desperately needed for the people to remain strong.

Nehemiah and the people could not afford to give into compromise like the previous generations, they needed to be sold out for the Lord. As we read through this second half of Nehemiah, we need to keep this in mind:

Spiritual renewal is constantly needed among God’s people.

We cannot overstress this enough that the Word of God is important, it is the God’s holy Word that tells us how to build strong, stable lives, lives filled with love, joy, and peace; lives that are useful and productive; lives that are satisfied, that are victorious and are able to rise above the trials, hardships, and temptations.

When we place the Word as our foundations we become as Romans 8:37 states,

Romans 8:37 NKJV

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

The significance of God’s every Word that we find in this book cannot be overstated. The Bible should be the foundation of your each of your lives as well as every societies bedrock. If our nation were to obey the commandments of God’s Word we would establish a nation of brotherly love that conquers prejudice and discrimination, a nation of righteousness that controls lawlessness and violence, a nation of justice that protects life.

For Nehemiah and the exiles (good band name) they were trying to rebuild their society. For them there is only one hope for carrying this out… God’s Word. If they obeyed God’s command, God would help them establish a society of righteousness, justice, and brotherly love.

vv. 1-12) A lesson on the need to study God’s Word

The reading of God’s Law by Ezra is such an important event. To celebrate all that God had done, Nehemiah summoned all the people to this special service. It was held in the town square in the seven month after the returned exiles had settled down in their hometowns.

The Lord had freed them from captivity under the Babylonians, enabled them to rebuild the wall in 52 days, and helped them to rebuild their homes. Under the leadership of Nehemiah, the Lord had blessed them immensely. Surprise, surprise the Lord has proven once again to be worthy of worship and praise. Every single person at this celebration owed God their very lives and freedom, their worship and service.

The people assembled in the large public square at the Water Gate. Interestingly Ezra, not Nehemiah, led the worship service. Ezra was after all a priest and a scribe, a man who studied and taught the Word of God. God’s Word at that time included the 5 books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), and a majority of the other OT books.

While this is the first mention of Ezra in this book, remember that he had been sent to Jerusalem by King Artaxerxes some 15 years earlier. Ezra’s primary purpose for returning was to help rebuild the nation. Specifically, he was to establish true worship among the people and teach the Law of God so people would live righteous lives and build a God-fearing society.

When Ezra had first arrived in Jerusalem, he found the people engaging in immoral and wicked behavior like the unbelievers. They were following the evil lifestyle and false worship of other gods. However, Ezra was faithful to his call and commission: he began to teach the Word of God among the people, instructing them in what the Lord was demanding from His people… obedience.

As a result, the people were convicted and repented of their sins, and a spirit of genuine revival broke out throughout the nation (Ezra 9-10). Apparently, the people continued to study the law of God under Ezra’s teaching. When Nehemiah arrived, the people readily responded to his leadership in rebuilding Jerusalem and it’s walls. There was no hesitation whatsoever in accepting this challenge and their response was immediate obviously because their hearts had been prepared by Ezra’s strong teaching of God’s Word. What I truly love about this is the fact that Ezra’s faithfulness to teach the Word of God set the groundwork to prepare the people for Nehemiah’s mission.

No doubt during the building project, there hasn’t been any indication that while the building project was taking place that the people were still under the tutelage of Ezra. And what we are going to see is that the people had a great hunger for the Word of God. The people called for Ezra to bring the God’s Word and read it to them.

This is another great leadership moment for Nehemiah because he didn’t try to do everything, even though he was burdened for the people, he stayed in his lane, and allowed Ezra to do what he was called to do.

This celebration was held on the first day of the seventh month, a very special month for the Jews. Three significant events took place during this month.

The Feast of Trumpets: celebrated on the 1st day, a day of national rest, but now is day to celebrate the Jewish New Year.

The Day of Atonement: celebrated on the 10th.

The Feast of Tabernacles: celebrated on the 15th.

Throughout these verses the focus is clearly on the people understanding the Word of God. The people are referred to 15 times in these first 12 verses and the word understanding is used 6 times. From the very beginning of Ezra’s ministry, Scripture gives a wonderful testimony about his dedication and commitment to God’s Word.

Ezra 7:10 NKJV

10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Unquestionably, Ezra was wholly devoted to teaching God’s Word. God’s Word burned in his heart just like Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 20:9 NKJV

9 Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.

There are six points that I want to draw your attention to in these verses about Ezra’s teaching:

[3] Ezra read God’s Word from early morning to noon, about six hours. Imagine the hunger for God’s Word that gripped their hearts, a hunger so intense that they actually stood for six hours under Ezra’s teaching.

[3] Ezra read God’s Word to all the people who were old enough to understand. This included all the men, women, and children old enough to grasp the meaning of God’s Word. Note the emphasis of Scripture: they were attentive. They focused and gave close attention, listening carefully to reading and explanation of God’s Word. They hungered so much for the Word of God they couldn’t get enough. This is undoubtable an indictment against so many of our attitudes towards the Word of God.

[4] Ezra read God’s Word from a platform that had been built for this special occasion. But more importantly surrounding him were 13 assistants, six standing on his right and seven on his left. These 7 men were influential leaders among the Jews.

[5] When Ezra opened the book or scroll, all the people immediately arose. The people stood in reverence of the Lord and in honor of His Word. This is one of the reasons we ask you to stand as we read God’s Word together at the start of our services… The people knew that they would not be listening to the word of a man, but they would be hearing the very Word of God.

I’ve often found myself questioning my decision to read whole portions of God’s Word as a congregation… We have read: Hebrews, Revelation, Ezra, and Nehemiah. And I believe this passage is what sealed the deal that I’m am following what the Lord has called us to do as a church. What could be better that the Word of God… my words… no… the Word of God is so much more valuable.

The Lord deserves to be reverenced and His Word deserved to be honored by being read and obeyed.

It was the peoples full intent, to obey, as well as to listen to it being read. They understood a fact that so many down through the centuries have never grasped. God’s purpose for giving His Law, His Word to the world is to reveal the truth to people, providing guidance and showing them how to live. Therefore, they must study and obey it.

[6] Before Ezra began to read, he took a moment to praise the Lord. In response the people raised their hands and answered, “Amen! Amen!” These two acts indicated that the people affirmed and agreed with Ezra’s prayer. They then bowed down to worship the Lord.

[7-8] Lastly, Ezra had instructed 13 men and the rest of the Levites to help him explain God’s Word to the people. This was necessary because of language difference and the need for translation in some cases. Remember, most of these people had lived in captivity to the Babylonians all their lives resulting in some of them would have Hebrew as a second language. While others might not understand the theological implications of what was being read.

The amount of people here would be somewhere between 30,000 to 50,000 people present for the study of God’s Word.

So throughout the day as the Word was being studied, something incredible took place. The people were being convicted of sin. Eventually , so many people came under the conviction that their mourning and weeping began to disrupt the service. The leaders tried to instruct the people to stop their mourning. This service was to be a time of celebration, a day of rejoicing.

Instead of mourning and weeping, they were to celebrate by feasting and sharing with those in need. the people needed to understand a wonderful truth: once they confessed and repented of their sins, the Lord forgave them. They were to stop grieving and give thanks and praise to the Lord for His forgiveness. But they needed to believe God, trust His Word that He would forgive them. Once they believed and trusted the Lord they didn’t need to mourning, what they needed was joy and peace… which also comes through the Word of God.

With the help of the Levites, Ezra and Nehemiah conveyed this message to the people. They calmed down and then celebrated a joyful meal. Sharing some of the food with the poor who had nothing to prepare.

Note this very important verse in our passage this morning:

Nehemiah 8:12 NKJV

12 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.

Application:

There is a dire need within our society for Christians to study God’s Word. It is His commandments that build up society, teaching people how to live righteous and law-abiding lives. And the wonderful truth of God’s Word is that it not only teaches God’s commandments but it also teaches how to keep His commandments.

You might be wondering, “but we don’t live under the OT laws and commandments.” While that is partially true, in reality they are summed up by Christ:

Matthew 22:36–40 NKJV

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

There is actual power within God’s Word. It is the only book that I’ve ever seen transform people. Not just change their habits, truly transform them. The Creator of the universe has ordained that His Word be the very foundation of human life and society. We have done a bang up job as a society removing the foundations and importance of God’s Word. This is seen in every aspect of our culture, from schools to our work places, even within our churches we are guilty of neglecting the Word of God.

Family it is only the Word of God that can change hearts, transform minds, and help up live righteously.

Matthew 28:19–20 NKJV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Acts 17:10–12 NKJV

10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

1 Peter 2:2–3 NKJV

2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

vv. 13-18) A lesson on the need to obey God’s Word

[13-15] With a craving for the Word of God still growing in the people’s hearts, along with their leaders, they returned to Ezra for more studying. Apparently their yearning was so strong they couldn’t stay away. As head of their families, they wanted to be the kind of fathers and husbands that they should be, giving guidance and discipline when needed. They simply wanted to apply the teaching of the Word of God to their daily lives, learning how to build a loving and righteous family.

While studying God’s Word, they discovered God’s command to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles during the seventh month. In reading the Scripture they learned that they were to live in temporary booths or shelters during the seven days of the festival. These shelters were to be made of branches. Living in these temporary shelters, the people would be reminded of the wilderness journeys of their forefathers, the time when their forefathers had to live in tents after their release from Egyptian slavery.

They were remembering that they live in a temporary, fleeting world and that they were totally dependent upon the Lord’s guidance, provision, and protection.

And what a beautiful festival to celebrate, after all that they have been going through the last 2 or 3 months. All the persecution and problems that they have faced. They were to remember it is all temporary. But this also put everything they had been through as a people into an eternal perspective too. They had been exiled and allowed to be brought back to the land, they still had to rebuild their nation, homes, cities, government and economy.

[16-18] As soon as the returnees discovered that God commanded them to celebrate the festival, they immediately set about to obey His Word. What is wild about this is that verse 17 tells us that this festival hadn’t been celebrated properly since the time of Joshua. This implies that people celebrated the harvest season, but had been lax on the whole making booths and living in them during the seven days.

Everyone here in our passage is participating!

But more importantly, they studied the Word of God. Ezra read and explained God’s law. For the entire seven days of the festival, they studied and celebrated the feast just as God’s Word instructed.

Application:

The emphasis here for us is that of obedience to the Word of God. I hope that you really get it… that you are to read, study, meditate on the Word of God… But all of that is meaningless if you do not apply it to your life and be obedient to what it calls us to do.

Which would you rather be:

Matthew 7:24–27 NKJV

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

John 14:15 NKJV

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

John 14:23 NKJV

23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

James 1:25 NKJV

25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

1 John 5:3 NKJV

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

John 15:10–14 NKJV

10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

So what is it that God wants me to do?

If you are not saved… God wants you to be His child and to be apart of His family.

If you are saved God wants you to (This could be a whole message in itself but we are going to hit just a few)

2 Peter 3:18 NKJV

18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Galatians 5:16 NKJV

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:25 NKJV

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Micah 6:8 NKJV

8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

Luke 9:23 NKJV

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Lastly as our churches main vision verse states:

Matthew 28:19–20 (NKJV)

19 Go [evangelism] therefore and make disciples [teaching] of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

“Go” means to evangelize.

We are to make disciples who make disciples.

And baptize people.

These need to be the metrics that we track to see if we have a healthy church.

Baptism December 17th.

Wed. service bring something to share that your thankful for.

Numbers 6:24–26 NKJV

24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’