NEHEMIAH CH. 8 – THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD I. THE CONGREGATION OF GOD’S PEOPLE. (1-13)
(Note how they requested God’s Word – this is the place to start for a revival)
A. Their Request for God’s Word. 1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. They Gathered :- Unitedly all the people gathered themselves together as one man Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. They Gathered :- Willingly gathered themselves together A Sense Of Appreciation, Of Adoration, Of Anticipation. They Gathered :- Expectantly bring the book of the law of Moses God had said, "I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD" (Amos 8:11). Walls had been finished but they needed the return to God's ways. a. The Bible had been a forgotten book!
b. The Bible had been a forsaken book!
Jeremiah 6:16-17–“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. 17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.”
B. Their Reading of God’s Word. (3-4) 3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
1. The length of the reading. from the morning until midday
2. The listening to the reading. and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. 3. The love for the reading Recognised the symbolism & significance of it ie. National Restoration
C. Their Reception of God’s Word (5) And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: a. God’s Word is the “God-breathed” Word of God, II Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
1) The “holy Scriptures” – the sacred writings – “which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus”
2) The Bible is “given by inspiration of God” ” – it is “breathed out from God,” and it “is profitable…” (II Tim. 3:16).
3) It makes “the man of God…perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (17).
b. We will not experience spiritual renewal until we develop a reverence for
the Word of God.
i) Great teachers are learners first, even Jesus Christ!
ii) "Apply yourself to the whole text, and apply the whole text to yourself"- J. A. Bengel
iii) "Lay hold on the Bible until the Bible lays hold on you" -- Will H. Houghton
iv) "I did not go through the Book. The Book went through me." -- A. W. Tozer
D. Their Response to God’s Word. (1) The Word Produced Sorrow - 8:9 For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
(2) The Word Produced Satisfaction - :10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
(3) The Word Produced Submission - 8:13 And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
II. THE CELEBRATION OF GOD’S PEOPLE. 14 And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:
A. It Was A Time To Remember Their Past.
1. They were to remember the Power of the LORD
2. They were to remember the Provisions of the LORD.
3. They were to remember the Promises of the LORD.
4. They were to remember that they were Pilgrims for the LORD.
B. It Was A Time to Reflect on Their Present (We are where and what we are by the Grace of God!)
1. We are a Delivered people. 2. We are a Destined people. 3. We should be a Delighted people. C. It Was A Time to Rejoice in Their Prospects Booths a reminder of their future The earth has been going through a wilderness period. But God will keep His promise. (II Peter 3:9). The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us–ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
