NEHEMIAH
8:1-8
Review
It’s
been 14 years since Ezra’s return to Jerusalem so there are now children born
that have never known exile. It is probably hard for them to imagine the ruins
they see were once a glorious temple. Ezra had pleaded with their parents to
keep their focus on the Lord. It was hard to maintain distinctions between the
people of God and other gods. Nehemiah came to help. As cupbearer of the king
of Persia he was distressed so the king allowed him to come back, with his
blessings and protection. He began to rebuild the wall. He didn’t do it because
he wanted things to look good or for protection exclusively but as a visible
dividing wall so there was no blending with other cultures. Remember they were
a “set apart” nation. They were losing their distinctiveness before the wall
was built. There were struggles externally as there will always be. The visible
distinctiveness began to work internally – they began to look after the poor
and populate from the “line” of their nation.
Context
We are
also to be distinct. We are citizens of another kingdom (Phil. 3:20). We
experience resentment and opposition also. He reveals truth to non-believers
through our distinctiveness. We are to be “distinctively” Christian (John
17:14-15). If others only see more of the same then what is the good news? What
makes you distinct (entertainment choices, etc.)? Do others even see a wall? Do
they want to come inside?
Intro
One
thing that makes us distinct is the Word of God. Nehemiah did the physical
work, now he needed to work on the spiritual.
How much time each week do you spend in
the Word? How high a priority would someone say the Word is to you?
Verse 1-3
Who initiated the request for the reading
of the Word? The people asked Ezra. They were hungry for God.
What were three things the writer says
about the listening? Six
hours, from daybreak to noon. All were listening attentively, not just the priests. It was read to those who
understood.
Verses 4-6
What was the significance of the
platform? It showed the importance, reverence and that they all wanted to hear.
Indicates this wasn’t spontaneous but planned. The Torah was on scrolls then.
Not everyone had a copy.
What did the people do when the law was
opened? They stood out of reverence.
What was their response when it was
read? They raised their hands in praise showing their need for God. They
affirmed the truth of the reading and their submission by shouting “Amen” (so
be it). They bowed to show humility. Worship comes when we recognize who He is
and our need.
What was Ezra’s response? He
praised the Lord.
Verses
7-8
What principles
can we get for studying/reading our Bible from verse 8? Read the
word. Understand the text. Know how to apply. They stood the entire time,
showing their commitment. Nothing else matters when you are hungry.
For God speaking and acting are the same thing.
(Gen. 1:3 – “Let there be light, and there was light.” He didn’t speak and then do what He said He
would do. The word itself brought light. Psalm 29 – “The voice of the Lord
breaks the cedars.” Isaiah 55:10-11 – “My word that goes out of my mouth will
not return empty.”) So if God’s Word goes out to do something it is the same as
if God himself has gone out to do something. To break a command is to break
one’s relationship with him. How do we
get God’s words? We get it through scripture. God put his words in the
mouths of the prophets. (Deut. 18:15-20, Jer. 1:9-10) The Bible then is God’s
Word written. We aren’t just getting information through the scripture; the
Bible is the way to actually hear God speaking and to meet God himself.
Psalm
119 – longest chapter in the Bible. It is an
acrostic. 8 verses in each stanza and within each stanza the 8 verses begin
with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In 169 out of 176 verses, the
Psalmist makes some reference to the word of God. It is a love poem to the
Word. It is about the Bible itself. Vs. 129-136 is emotional: panting, longing,
and weeping. It is passionate. This is where we want to get. This should be our
heart for the Bible. The Psalmist delights in the Word (vs. 14, 24), desires it
(vs. 18, 19, 27), and depends on it (vs. 31, 50). This is how we should feel
about the Word, which, by the way, Jesus is the word made flesh. All the
attributes of God’s verbal revelation are found in Christ. He is the Word of
God incarnate. When we fully grasp what the word is teaching about itself this
Psalm should be our reaction.
Apply (What now?)
God’s Word should hold a high priority
in my life.
How important is it to you on a scale
of 1-10? How much time should you spend in the Word daily?
Nehemiah planned, write down your plan.
Pray
Forgive
us for neglecting your Word and time with You. Give us a desire like the
Israelites. Give us the knowledge to understand and the wisdom to apply.