God’s Word Brings Revival
Nehemiah 8:1-18
Introduction
- Nehemiah is a great study of leadership; shows faithful obedience to God
- This morning, we continue our examination of this incredible story
- We last left off with Nehemiah beginning to populate the city
-- However, there is something to note about this particular section of scripture
-- It is a departure from the chronological order that we have been studying
- Most conclude that this section changes perspective and perhaps author
-- Nehemiah is written in the first person, but this is in the third person
- It is probable that Ch. 8-10 are in an insert to the story; an added perspective
-- Remember, Nehemiah is populating the city, and here we see the population
- If you’ve ever moved before, you know that moving one family can take time
-- Here, we see an entire civilization established; with rituals, people, etc.
-- More than likely, this was later in time, (after Ezra had come to Jerusalem)
-- APP: It is still true and God’s word, just not appearing in chronological order
- Read Nehemiah 8:1-18
- Pray
∆ Point 1 – A Great Assembly
- The location at the water gate is believed to have been located outside the city
-- This would have been a place of gathering, perhaps with lots of open space
--Also, and this is critical, notice how they’ve assembled outside the temple
- APP: What I see here is, sometimes the church needs to leave the bldg.
-- It is so easy to stay cooped up within the walls of a church; safe/secure
-- RE: Worship should happen everywhere, and these people demonstrate it
- During the seventh month; they celebrate the Feast of the Tabernacle
-- Deut 31:10-12, “Then Moses commanded them: “At the end of every seven years, in the year for canceling debts, during the Festival of Tabernacles, when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing. Assemble the people—men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law.”
- Ezra knew Deuteronomy; this was in mind when he arranged for this assembly
-- Note: Everyone that could understand was invited to be a part of this gathering
- RE: It was not just for the religious priests … but for all to take part in
-- Why? Because God’s word is to be experienced by all, not just select few
- Ezra read the Law (v3) from daybreak until noon … about 6-7 hours
-- Consider this: these people were excited to gather to hear it for that long
- IMP: Outside: the Law is greater than the temple; more impact than the building
-- Their gathering together outside signifies this; shows a desire to hear from Him
-- APP: He is more valuable than the sacred places we keep; great lesson here
- Ezra stands on a high platform to read (for visibility and acoustics) (v4)
-- This would’ve enforced word’s authority and importance over the hearers
-- With Ezra is a list of men who stood up with him; leaders in community
-- They would’ve been a supportive role; but also testifying to the Word
- As Ezra opens the scroll (v5), all the people stood up
-- Wow … the reverence shown for God’s word here is incredible
-- Out of respect for God’s word, they stood up because it meant something
-- APP: How you treat God’s word says something about its importance to you
- TRANS: It is evident to us, how they felt when they heard God’s truth
∆ Point 2 – Hearing/Responding to the Word
- Traditionally, a blessing would be offered before the Law was read (v6)
-- And what we see here is that the people respond, in unison, in agreement
• First, they lift their hands in worship to the One who provides for them
• Second, they respond in unison to God’s worthiness: “Amen! Amen!”
• Third, they worship God openly, without shame or embarrassment
- Represents humility before the Lord; humbleness before God of the universe
-- It’s an expression of devotion to all that God has done for them
- Ezra is supported by 13 men who are teachers of God’s word (v7)
-- They would’ve circulated through the crowd; discussing the word
-- Not so much interpreters – but men who would further explain it
- They are men who Ezra trusted for this particular event
-- It is probable that, since this reading was several hours, that they took turns
-- After the reading of each section, they would’ve further explained it
- Now, watch what happens as God’s word is read (read v9)
-- Those in attendance desiring to hear … are convicted by what the Word says
- IMP: It is easy to manipulate people’s emotions; which is wrong
-- But when true conviction comes about, it is ONLY because of God
-- This reading of His word causes them to realize what they are guilty of
-- APP: Their hearts are pierced; God is still piercing hearts to change today
- But look at the priests’ response: They are told not to weep (v9)
-- This day is sacred to God; it is a day of celebration; of remembrance for all
-- This is a day set aside to commemorate God’s grace/mercy on them
-- It is a day of rejoicing … an opportunity to celebrate what God has done
- APP: Even today, when we gather, we have opportunity to focus on Him
-- But more so, we have a chance to celebrate/worship all that He has done for us
- TRANS: Do we rejoice in the Lord because of what He has done?
∆ Point 3 – Rejoice in God
- The people were told: Go and celebrate this day! (v10-12)
-- Reading the law produced genuine remorse; something we can experience also
-- They were told to go and enjoy the very best they had; and to share with others
- The commemoration of God’s goodness was a call … to rejoice in it!
-- APP: Just like we can experience on Sundays … we too get to join together
-- Sad that so many, so often, consider church a chore or a ritual rather than …
- Ezra concluded, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
-- The emphasis on God’s grace is impossible to miss here; it’s the real STAR
- Even though they had sinned and had not fulfilled the Law’s requirement
-- APP: God was STILL to be celebrated as good … as sovereign and worthy
-- Psalm 103:10-12, “… he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
- The crowds would’ve dispersed to celebrate; and again some returned on Day 2
-- Those who returned would’ve been a smaller crowd (v13)
-- This day would’ve been a more intense bible study; a more intimate group
- As Ezra read, he drew their attention to something that had been missed (v14)
-- They had missed an instruction from God regarding this celebration
-- Leviticus 23:42-43, “Live in temporary shelters for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
- This instruction would’ve brought them reminder of dependence on God
-- It was a call to remove all the “comforts” and live in worship of God’s giving
- APP: Ezra had a desire that the people would return to depending on God
-- To living rightly before a creator of the universe … something we all need
-- From public worship to obeying God’s word … we are called to the same
- So, the whole company went to retrieve wood for these shelters
-- This brought them great joy (v17); to celebrate God in this same manner
-- Why? Because their worship was focused on the One who mattered … amazing
- TRANS: So, where does this leave us today?
∆ Big Idea
- Pastor John Piper wrote: “Warning has value in stirring us up to take the glories of holiness and heaven seriously - so that we come to see them for what they are and delight in them. But it is the delight in them that causes the true grief when we fall short. No one cries over missing what they don’t want to have.”
- Israel had prophets calling them to return repeatedly
-- They were constantly warned to change and to repent of their ways
- Even in the face of dire warnings, the people only halfheartedly responded
-- They liked the religious stuff; but not the obedience to God required
- Ezra showed them what is important, that they needed to return to God
-- As he read, they listened for hours; desiring to know more
- And, being struck to the heart – their initial response was repentance; sorrow
-- But they were instead instructed to enjoy the JOY of what God had done
- Do we live like that? Do we experience and celebrate the joy of the Lord?
-- IMP: Spiritual renewal begins with God’s word …. It is a requirement!
- What a challenge to you and I today … how do we respond to God’s word?
-- Is it a casual experience, or something that we treasure every day we are able?
-- Are we reminded of what God has done because we spend time in His word?
-- How do we respond to His incredible grace and goodness?
- To others who are watching, our response to God serves as their invitation
- Pray
