God Glorifying Worship: The Word

Introduction

Sermon Title: God Glorifying Worship: The Word

Sermon Text: Nehemiah 8:1-8

Over the next few weeks, we will be taking a dive into the topic of worship. Why? There are several reasons behind this. The first being, it is always a good thing to be reminded of how God wants us to worship Him. Second, it is helpful for us to examine the way that we worship here and consider if there are any ways that we can worship God better. Third, to ensure that there is unity in the worship of God. And fourth, to promote a culture of worship that far extends from this place into our daily lives lived outside of this building.

But what a few sermons on worship have to do with you? Not that every sermon is directed to you in a singular notion, but what does worship have to do with you? Everything, really. Worship dictates how you are going to live your life, raise a family, influence those around you, how you perform your vocation. Worship affects everything. But when we think of worship, we may think of music, prayer, sermons, etc. All these are a part of worship, but when we think of worship, we must first see its end. What is that end? Worship’s end is to glorify God to the greatest extent. Therefore this short series is titled God Glorifying Worship. And this week we will look at God Glorifying Worship via the Word of God. To do that we are going to spend some time this morning in Nehemiah 8 and see what worship looked like for Israel, and see how we can apply their urgent and fervent worship to our lives. Now, to do that here is where we are headed...

Sermon Points: I. A Hunger for the Word (vv.1-3), II. Reverent Worship under the Word (vv.4-6), III. A Deep Hearted Understanding of the Word (vv.7-8)

I. A Hunger for the Word (vv.1-3)

The context for this occasion follows the rebuilding of the wall in Jerusalem. It had taken 52 days to build the wall (a miracle in itself) and the people of Israel followed that up by worshipping Yahweh God. The worship service is centered upon the Word of God, specifically the Pentateuch, or the first five books of the Bible. This is seen in the Hebrew word for “torah” meaning law. The word for law is not universal as we saw it in Psalm 19:7-10. Regardless, the Word is central for the Israelites in the OT.

Now, there was a two-fold eagerness that the people had. 1. The eagerness is seen in the people asking Ezra to bring the book of the law to them. This was no sermon given on deaf ears! The people of God, the post exilic period was rooted in a hunger for the Word of God. This very well might be one of the greatest showings of unity in the entire OT. No discredit to David and unified Israel, but this unification was under the Word of God with an insatiable desire for it. 2. The people when listening were attentive listeners. They were not sitting idle taking it in, but sought to take what was heard and gain a deeper understanding of it.

Yahweh God gives them Ezra

Yahweh God did not come up short in providing the right man for the job. He gave the people Ezra who, as well, had an insatiable desire for the Word. Ezra was “skilled” or well-versed in the law of Moses (Ezra 7:6). In other words, Ezra knew his Pentateuch and he was capable for the task at hand. God gave the exiles a preacher with an uncanny ability to read and explain and a man who had a fire for it. This is what is described about the Levitical priest in Malachi 2:7. Ezra was “the messenger of Yahweh of hosts.” You could say that Ezra was a faithful expository preacher. Ezra was not randomly chosen, but he was set apart to teach the people of Israel. God did not give Ezra alone, but alongside him were 27 other men who would come to assist him (vv.4, 7).

What did the assembly consist of?

It is important to ask the question who was in this assembly? Or what did this assembly consist of? Verse 2 tells us that “men, women, and all who could understand when listening.” The text does not mention who all is included in the “all who could understand.” Therefore, I do not think it worth our time to flesh out a particular age as to whom this was geared to. What does it mean to listen in this way? Bill Mounce says it is “to consider with full attention.” I don’t think any of us would have an issue figuring out the men and women part, but one question that is raised about this text is, ‘What about the children? Were they there?’ There are two other texts that may help us answer this question. The first is from 2 Chronicles 17:7-9. This section speaks of the beginning of Jehoshaphat’s reign. What is noteworthy about the beginning of Jehoshaphat’s reign is that he keeps in step with having the command of Yahweh followed by having the Levites teach the law of Yahweh to the people. The implication, here, is that it is possible that children were around in the vicinity and seeing the family dynamic as holding a major place in Israeli life, it is possible that the children were there. But we are not told definitively. The second text that is more explicit comes from Deuteronomy 31:9-13. The context of this passage is surrounded around the OT Feast of Booths (Tabernacles). Nevertheless, verses 12 and 13 promote children being among the assembly of Israelites as the Law of God was read. At this time, the “all Israel” in verse 11 literally means every single human being that was present. No one was excluded from this sacred assembly. This assembly in Deuteronomy 31 includes “men, women, little ones, and the sojourner who is within your gates.” What verses 12 and 13 definitively say is that children are able to understand the Law of God. Today, it would be said that children are able to understand the Bible. This is a definite assertion that cannot go unnoticed as it is explained in Deuteronomy 31. I want to stress, only, that children can know who God is. And I think we would all agree on that.

A Hunger for the Word

It would be out of touch with the text if it were only the assembly as the main focus. What is central, here, is the assembly’s hunger for the Word of God. It is seen in two ways in verse 3. First, in the duration of Ezra’s reading of the law of God (from early morning until midday). Most likely this reading took place between 6 am and noon. I can assure you that it was not the way in which Ezra read that kept them attentive for that long. Even the greatest of preachers would be tiresome if we were to merely listen to their voice. But what compelled these people was the Word of God. Now, this does not mean that Ezra read in a ho-hum, mundane, or even melancholic way. But it was not his voice that kept the people alert and awake. So, I want to stop and ask. What compels you to hear sound Bible teaching? Whether it be here in this place or by some other means? Is it the soothing way that the person speaks? Or is it the charisma behind the message? Look, if that is your aim, you need to repent of that and then come back to the Word and take it in by the shovelful! Not for any other reason, but because it is the written Word of God. Preachers/Pastors come and go, but the Word of God endures forever! What brought the people back to hear Jesus week in and week out read the Word of God in the synagogue (Luke 4:16-20)? It was not the smooth voice, although He is God, and it was the smoothest most passionate voice ever to speak on earth! But the people came to hear the Word of God read.

Now this is not to say that the only way that we can take the Word in is by listening to it read for 6 hours. For this was not an everyday occurrence in Israel, and will not be for us either. But I do want to challenge you with a few questions. Do you have a genuine hunger for the Word of God? Does it get you excited each day that God gives you to live? Does it drive you when life is not pleasant? Does it uphold you through pain and suffering? Does it provide great joy when you see where our world is and the evil that laces it? What place does the teaching and preaching of the Word of God hold in your life? Again, this is not to suggest that all you need to do is listen to podcasts and sermons after hearing the Sunday morning sermon. But what place does the Word have in your life? For where it sits tells a lot about who you are!

For Israel it was the Word that kept them there for 6 hours. They were not staring off into space counting the flies flying around them and they were not concerned about what was going on in the world as they heard the Word (although enemies were all around them). Why? Because Israel practiced the greatest tunnel vision known to man. They were honed in on the Word. They were attentive. Although the word ‘attentive’ in not found in the Hebrew bible, it gives us a further understanding of the kind of listening that was going on. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 and Hebrews 2:1-3 gives us the urgency needed to listen in this way. It is not a mistake that the word attentive was put in, but it is that kind of listening that produces belief and unconditional trust in the Word of God.

What the listening was not

Not only was the listening not a negative upon there physical state, but the intent of their listening was affected as well. For example, they did not listen out of mere enjoyment like Herod did when John the Baptist spoke (Mark 6:20) or the large crowd when Jesus spoke (Mark 12:37). It was not a listening that would have produced the response “the Bible is a good book filled with good moral principles.” This listening did not lead the people to a sudden emotional outburst. This listening is that of Lydia in Acts 16:14 where she is saved upon believing the Word of God. Therefore, the Word of God is not just to be heard in one ear and out the other. It is to be tried, tested, and it promotes a response. Will you believe it or not? That’s the question! Do you believe the Bible to be the Word of God? Unbeliever, is the Bible just another religious book, as is so common to be said today? Listen, this book has the answers that you seek. Why you are here, why you exist, and why you are the way you are! This book tells you that you do not have to continue to live the life that you are living. The Bible leads to one Man, Jesus Christ, who went to a cross to die and take the place that you deserved to be on because of your sin, and He rose again to offer you eternal life! Please don’t delay, and come to Christ who offers eternal life and forgiveness of sins!

II. Reverent Worship under the Word (vv.4-6)

We move our attention to verses 4-6 and look at reverent worship under the Word. This worship goes far beyond just hearing with the human ear. There are several means that show reverent worship under the word. One of the things seen in verse 4 is the list of men that are to Ezra’s left and right. This should not just be a passer by verse, for this holds significance. Not to look far in, one commentator rightly states that “we are not told further about the men that joined Ezra on the platform, thus to speculate would be improper” (Tiberius Rata). What we do know from this verse is that they were all united under the Word of God.

The Pulpit

Not to miss anything in this worship experience, we must take a few moments to look at the purpose of the pulpit that was used for the occasion. Again, this is significant seeing the emphasis on worship. What do we get out of it? Well, the pulpit used had one task. To highly hold the law of God. Notice, that the law was not put on any table that would be used for any occasion. No, the pulpit they had made for this moment was to show reverence to the Word as the people sat and stood under the Word. Not to attach too much to the pulpit because it is made of wood and seeing that we do not want to make any graven images, the pulpit has any worth because of the law that rests upon it. Yet, may each person here be reminded that the Word of God most importantly must hold a high place in our hearts. For this is what truly matters.

Reverence: Practically Speaking

Verses 5 and 6 show the practical response of the people as the book of the law is opened in their presence. They do several things. They stand up and shout Amen, Amen!, they lift their hands in the air, and they bow down low. All this is done out of reverence to the law and to Yahweh God who gave them the law. This is not to say that every church must worship just as Israel did, nor does it mean that as a church here in Zionsville that we are going to take this text verbatim and adapt it to our service. But we must consider these things as the text demands, which will go under the header of “Responsive Worship.”

Responsive Worship

Notice that the worship that is offered by both Ezra and the assembly is responsive. It is not one sided only. There is no such thing as a “consumer only mindset” that is very popular in churches today. After the people rise in reverence at the end of verse 5, Ezra blesses Yahweh. Literally, Ezra “speaks words of excellence” (BSL) pertaining to Yahweh. Consider the high praise and words of excellence that Peter gives unto the Lord in 1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” The goal of every preacher is to preach the excellencies of Christ. This is what you should be hearing each week as the Scripture is exposited! And what is the response of Israel after Ezra speaks these high words of praise? They shout “Amen, Amen!” Now, this is not the amen that we sometimes say in a repetitive kind of way.

Let me ask you this. Think of a food that is detestable in your sight, you see it on your plate, and you are the one to pray for the meal, is it not difficult to be truly thankful for ‘all’ of your food? If we were honest, we would say thank you for this food and then when the prayer was over, the fork would be used to eradicate that food off your plate!

This ‘Amen’ that is given is said in affirmation and in reverence that all that Ezra was reading to them was not just the lips of Ezra, but the Word of Yahweh God! And amidst this outcry there is an unction of excitement about the people. Why? Because it had been a considerable amount of time since this kind of worship had occurred. The last public reading of the law of God was performed in the days of King Josiah 196 years before in 640 B.C. The outcome was vastly different between the two events, but nonetheless, this was a most exciting time in Israel. This hearing of the Word had a major effect on the people as it would lead them to a lengthy time of confessing sins (Nehemiah 9:1-37) and an outpouring of praise and worship musically speaking (Nehemiah 12:31-47).

Worship that brings forth Humility

Following the excitement that comes with worship, is humility. That is seen in the progression of verse 6. They begin hands in the sky and end with their faces bowed down low. This is an expression of humility before Yahweh God. Although there are no words that say this explicitly, there are numerous texts in Scripture that show that bowing low down to the ground is humble worship before God. Let us walk through a few of these texts to see it from the beginning of the OT to the end of the NT. You will see that humble worship is always true of the people of God. Genesis 24:26 is the first place that we will look. This is the story of the man that Abraham sent out to get a wife for his son Isaac from the land of his fathers. When the man gets to the well and asks Rachel the questions that would lead to the fulfillment of Abraham’s request what does the man do? “The man bowed low and worshiped Yahweh.” The next two texts are seen in Exodus 4:31 and 12:27. In Exodus 4:31, the elders of Israel in response to Yahweh hearing their cries for deliverance from oppressive Egypt, “they bowed low and worshiped.” The elders could have rejoiced first, then worshiped, but the opposite was true. Yahweh was worshiped because He heard the cries of His people and because He hears our cries He deserves our worship as well! In Exodus 12:27 the people of Israel worship Yahweh God at the institution of the Passover. It was a most powerful time in their history and because Yahweh was going to show His great power, the people “bowed low and worshiped” in awe and reverence of Yahweh. Upon the destruction of Jehoshaphat’s enemies in 2 Chronicles 20:14-17, his response “and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshiping Yahweh” (v.18). All of these events of bowing down before God, ultimately, lead to the bowing down to the King of Kings in Revelation 7:11. “All the angels, the elders and the four living creatures, they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God.” This same reality from Genesis to Revelation gives the glory to God and brings forth humility at His great and awesome power.

Therefore, reverence under the Word is this… as the Word is proclaimed, worship unto God is practiced in response and humility. The gospel preached, that is the repentance of sins and turning to Christ (Acts 2:38, 3:19, 4:30-31) is humbling in nature. Reverent worship always produces humility!

III. A Deep Hearted Understanding of the Word (vv.7-8)

We have come to the point where we wrap up the reading of the Word that Ezra delivers to the people. As aforementioned, what follows in verse 9 is a response of great grief for all that they had done as it was told to them via the law of Yahweh God.

Men to Assist in the task

A parallel in this verse to verse 4 is that Ezra had other men to come alongside him and assist where they were needed. Yahweh God provides 13 men that are suitable for the task of giving understanding, explanation, and insight. There was a significant amount of people to each man. If you were to divide from Nehemiah 7:66 by 14 (including Ezra), then each man would oversee a little north of 3000 people. Throughout history, Yahweh God had always chosen the Levites as His special messengers. This is seen in their cries to God in 2 Chronicles 30:27, “their voice was heard.” God had raised up these men at this time to orchestrate a wonderful worship service that would greatly glorify the name of Yahweh. In the palace of the king (of whom Israel had not chosen yet), the Levites played a crucial role in the life of the king of Israel. How do we know the Levites practiced understanding back then? Deuteronomy 17:18 says that when the King read the scroll he shall write the scroll verbatim in the presence of the Levitical priests, and then no one would get in his way. The Levites are always intertwined with the law. These are the people that you wanted to have around when there was a tough theological issue being debated.

Having an essential Understanding

Having understanding is important for any task, much more so a Scriptural understanding. God gave the people the best of the best in being able to deliver the message clearly. Mounce considers this understanding as “a gift from God for those who fear the Lord and can be gained from reading His Word.” So what was this understanding? Can we know what it is? One thing we know is that this understanding led to application (v.9). And it led to an application of weeping. The text tells us that the understanding that was being given and received was an understanding that was of the Law of God. There was no special prize, gimmick, or other deceptive means, and by God’s grace we will continue to have these moments. This understanding led to a greater desire for understanding. Think of Acts 8:27-31. Its the account of the Ethiopian eunuch. What we know of this text is that the eunuch is reading Isaiah, we are not told what. Eventually, the question is asked “Do you believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ? Similarly, in Nehemiah 8, we are told that the people needed to gain understanding. The same was true for the Ethiopian eunuch and it is true for us today. There is no one person that has everything together. Therefore, we need understanding. We must always be reminded of the truths of Scripture.

An Understanding given by Explanation and Insight

The understanding is given forth in two ways. 1. Explanation (the human work), and 2. Insight (the work of the Spirit/God). These are both found in verse 8. What is of note is that the explanation given was deep, extensive, and intense. To give an explanation in Hebrew means to “spread out” (NTSK). This means that there were no questions asked, nor were there any points of information not overturned. The exact opposite is true. The Levites wanted to give the Israelites understanding. This is something not too common in churches today. Are the people in the pew longing for understanding of the Scripture? Is it something that we hunger for daily? The Levites wanted the people to know the book of the law.

In the same way you would want to know everything about a potential house that you were going to buy. Upon inspection reports, you would want to know what is wrong with the home and what potential costs might look like. You look at the neighborhood and see if it is a place where your kids or soon to be kids might grow up. You look at the teachers of the school district if you choose to do public school. You get as much information as you can so you can understand the entire picture of what is going on.

As we have seen throughout this text, there are several parallels to the NT. Verse 8 is no different. There are a few, but one that I want to make note of. That text is found in Luke 24, the chapter with the two men on the road to Emmaus. You know the backdrop, two men are walking down a road on their way to the town of Emmaus. Upon walking on the road, the Lord Jesus comes suddenly in the midst of them although the two men did not know it was He. Jesus hears their ponderings of the recent events surrounding His death and resurrection, and He asks them what they are talking about. As they tell Him what they are speaking of, Jesus proceeded “beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He interpreted to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (v.27). Scripture demands to be explained and given insight upon. Reading Scripture alone is not enough. This is why meditation over the text is so important. Here, we see that the reading of the Scriptures and deep reflection upon the text go hand in hand.

Conclusion

As always we must ask the question, why was this text important for us to hear this day. Let me offer three concluding remarks.

I. A hunger for the Word is lifeline of Christianity. Without the Word of God being true, the Christian faith falls apart, there is no sustenance to it. On a personal level a hunger for the Word is a mark of your love for the Lord Jesus Christ. You may say, how so? Let me ask you this. How is it that you love the Lord Jesus Christ, yet have little to no desire to hear what He has to say in His Word? Isn’t this a contradiction of high regard? As a Christian, do you long for the Word of God as it has been given to you? Is the Word of God enough for you? Or do you crave other writings to come alongside it? If this is true of you, you are in need of repentance, and the Word of God is a most wondrous/necessary place to be as you are humbled to repent of your sin.

II. Are you motivated to worship God? Does coming to the Lord’s house to worship Him bring thrill and excitement to your life? Do you look forward to hearing the Word preached? Are you energized to hear what God has in store for you according to His Word? Your worship of God tells a lot about who you are as a Christian too. It is not just the reading of the Word, but the overall worship of Yahweh God. Brothers, we have the privilege of knowing the triune God, being able to come into His presence, and then being able to offer worship that is pleasing to Him. Christian, do not take this privilege lightly!

III. May I encourage you to look at the way we worship here at Zionsville, not just as a system that we perform, but as a means to tell the world that we stand with Christ. When people look at this body of believers, what do they see? Do they see a bunch of people that are unorganized, melancholy, and disinterested? Or do people see a body that is active, alive, and on fire for the things of Christ? We have been given all that we need in the Word of God to carry out Christ’s mission. Brothers, let us go forth with confidence, hand in hand, step by step, trusting in the rich promises of God that He has bestowed upon us.

Let’s pray!

Benediction

Benediction: Mark 16:15 (edits mine)

And now, God of heaven, empower each one of us through the Holy Spirit to “Go into this world and preach Your Word to all creation.” Amen.