The Prophet and the word of God

Without a doubt Israel was founded on the word of God as a people. They were people of the book (scrolls). We today need to be people who are founded, rooted, and applying God’s word.

“American was born to exemplify that devotion to elements of righteousness which are derived from the revelations of Holy Scripture” - Woodrow Wilson

Then Abraham Lincoln said:

“In regard to this Great book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book.”

“Inside the Bible's pages lie the answers to all the problems that mankind has ever known. I hope Americans will read and study the Bible.” -Ronald Reagan

(Transition) Our Country may have been founded upon Christian principles, but yet today those principles are being pushed out and replaced by worldly things. We as Christians need to give high place to the scripture in hearing, reading, understanding and applying. Nehemiah is about to bring together a call for revival in Israel after the physical things (the wall) was taken care of, now the spiritual things need to be addressed.

Let us look at our passage together

Nehemiah 8:1–2 NASB95

1 And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had given to Israel. 2 Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.

Nehemiah 8:3–4 NASB95

3 He read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 4 Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam on his left hand.

Nehemiah 8:5–6 NASB95

5 Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Then Ezra blessed the Lord the great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

Nehemiah 8:7–8 NASB95

7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place. 8 They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.

Nehemiah 8:9–10 NASB95

9 Then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and 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 or weep.” For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:11–12 NASB95

11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 All the people went away to eat, to drink, to send portions and to celebrate a great festival, because they understood the words which had been made known to them.

What sticks out to you, what is significant to you in this passage?

Who gathered together, where did they gather and for whom to was to bring the word (v.1)?

All the people

The Watergate

Ezra to bring the word

We know Ezra brought the word, now looking at (v.2), when did this happen?

First day of the seventh month (more to follow on this later)

How long did Ezra read the book (v.3)? and how were the people about receiving the word?

From early morning until midday

All the people were attentive

Ezra spoke from podium surrounded by support (v.4)

What did Ezra do before reading the word (v.6)

Said a prayer, a blessing and the people answered with a hearty Amen! (so be it).

What did the men, and the Levites do (vv.7-8)

They explained so people could understand, they translated to give a sense of understanding

What did Nehemiah and Ezra say about this day (v.9); and instruct the people what to do (v.10)?

It was a holy day

Do not mourn, go eat, help others who have nothing, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

What did the Levites do (v.11) and what did the people do (v.12)?

The Levites calmed and reminded the people

The people went away and celebrated because the word of God was made understandable to them.

A little side note before moving on.

Chapters 1-7 are about the physical needs of the people in Jerusalem

Chapters 8-13 are about the spiritual.

Chapter 8 instructing

Chapter 9 confessing

Chapter 10-12 dedicating

Chapter 13 Cleansing and fellowship.

Just keep this in mind as we go forward over the weeks to come.

“The Spirit of God uses the word of God to cleanse and revive the hearts of the people of God" Wiersbe

In our chapter before us it breaks into three responses to the word of God, tonight we will look at two of them

Understanding the word

“The Spirit of God working through the Word of God, in the lives of the people of God.” -J Edwin Orr

What a great example we see in this chapter of that.

The people gather to hear God’s word (vv.1-3)

The Spirit was already working in the people for they asked for Ezra to bring the book to be read.

People gather because they are drawn, the Holy Spirit draws, man tunes in to hear and obeys and gathers. Maybe these days there needs to be some fine tuning on all our parts.

Want to hear, desire to hear, come to hear, expect to hear, be attentive to hear, understand what you hear, and apply what you hear.

We have to choose to cooperate with the moving of the Spirit. You have a choice and need to be purposeful in your choice. Is hearing the Word of God, reading the Word a priority to you? Is understanding and applying important to you?

Ezra the priest, the scribe who came in the first return who was responsible for the rebuilding of the temple, copied the scroll by hand and brought it to be read.

Everyone needed the word, and needed to understand it. It was not enough just to hear.

Ezra read from early morning, til mid-day (about 6 hours). People were attentive to the Book of the Law.

People were receptive, attentive to the word (vv.4-6)

They built podium, a platform for him to speak so all could hear.

They did practical things to prepare, what practical things can we do today so to be receptive, attentive to God’s word?

Comfortable room, seats, minimal distractions, a way the preacher can be clearly heard and a preacher who preaches the word not just some thoughts about the word. It is God’s word that convicts and converts not man’s.

Ezra had men supporting his ministry work, teaching the Word of God. We too need to be a people who support the ministry work by our attentiveness, our attendance and yes even our finances to help the work.

The people stood to hear the word, they did it out of respect for God’s word. And the results were seen.

The people thanked God -giving an Amen.

The people prayed - lifting up hands

The people worshipped - they bowed down.

Thanksgiving, prayer and worship/praise are always a good sign of the moving of God and His Spirit among the people.

The Word was presented so it was understandable (vv.7-8)

The word must be understood if it is to be applied. It needs to be the goal, first goal of any preacher, including me, if you don’t understand, ask!

The supporters , the Levites gave help to understand the word, spiritually speaking.

First, the things of God are spiritually discerned and not intellectually discerned. The Holy Spirit calls Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers (Eph4:11) to help bring spiritual discernment to the people so they are not tossed around by every wind of doctrine.

Second, it was needed for this is hundreds of years after the writing on the law, originally written in different language, different culture, different plan and to us a much distant time.

Third, because our minds are often slow to understand the things that would convict our heart, we need it spelled out plainly to us.

Finally, We all need understanding, to those who have never heard, to those who have heard it many times over, we still have room to learn and to grow. (all from except from (Expositors Bible Commentary)

The preacher must speak clearly, in understanding manner, not in a manner to impress or entertain, but to equip the people.

The People rejoicing in the word

It started with weeping, conviction brought weeping, mourning.

We know what the word is good for (2Tim3:16-17).

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NASB95

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Reproof and correction, neither are comfortable all the time, it can hurt to be convicted. Reproof and correction for equipping.

The people were sad, mourned, felt sorrow, but were instructed to have joy. If there is forgiveness, there is reason to joy.

When you understand God’s word it is a great reason to rejoice!

Summary/close

Hearing, reading, understanding God’s word is vital if you want to be equipped for God’s work

Preparing to receive the word is good too, think about what practical things can you do to prepare to receive God’s word.

Listen with understanding and applying so to carry on God’s good work He has set before us to do.