Spiritual growth can only be accomplished by knowing, hearing and applying God’s precepts to our spiritual heart through His Word. In order to understand this passage in Nehemiah we should consider what brought the people of God to this point. Therefore we must start in the beginning. In the book of Genesis we read of the disobedient of our progenitors, Adam and Eve. Until their disobedience to God’s Word creation was a perfect place, we could give God an A+ rating but because of mas disobedience sin entered the world. After the first act of sin came the first murder and on the slippery slope of sin man was on a continual downhill slide to the bottom.
From the first murder the world degraded to the point when God decided to destroy the whole of mankind. God noticed of Noah and his family so rather than destroying all of mankind God called Noah to preach repentance to the people who would not hear the God’s message of repentance the world was sent into a watery grave. All but Noah and his family were destroyed. Man continued to ignore the message of God.
God called a man by the name of Abraham to become the father of a people chosen by God. A people who through them God would bless the whole world. After God’s deliverance of His chosen people God gave them the laws by which God’s people should live. These God called people were to be different, they were to be not only chosen of God but a nation of Priest. A people who would have God as their King, but they did not want to be different they wanted to be like the other nations in the world. They wanted a worldly King, so God told the prophet Samuel to anoint Saul king of Israel. Again because of disobedience Saul rejected the Word from God and God removed Saul and put David as King.
Under the leadership David unites the tribes into one nation and it remained so until the death of Solomon. At Solomon death the nation divided into 2 nations, Israel and Juda. The idolatry and disobedience of both nations brought complete dispersion to the northern kingdom Israel and placed Juda the southern kingdom in the bondage of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar who conquered Jerusalem in 586 BC, destroyed the Temple, and exiled the people. Fifty years later, when Babylon was conquered by the Persians, King Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and granted them autonomy.
Nehemiah returned home to rebuild the City and upon completion of restoration of the Temple and City in Nehemiah Chapter 8 we read of the restoration and renewal of God’s people. (Ch 8:1-8).
Restoration and renewal can only be brought about by the reading and hearing God’s Word. In Chapter 7 verse 73-Chapter 10 verse 39 there at least 21 references to the Torah (God’s Word) center focus is to have God’s Word to become primary in the hearts of all who hear. All who could understand (v2) and at the end of the text it says all understood (v8). In (v. 7) there thirteen people proclaim the word. God had sent Nehemiah to rebuild the city and temple but restoration of Jerusalem that was not the central focus the people need to hear and know God. A reconstructed city will not bring God’s people into a right relationship with God.
Luke 9:25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?
NKJV
Even though the construction project of Jerusalem was successful, for 13 years of rebuilding there was a need of spiritual renewal of the hearts of God’s people. In chapter 8 the remnant of Gods people gather and Ezra the priest (scribe) reads the Book of The Law of Moses to the people from Early morning till midday.
1st - Knowing Gods Word Nehemiah 8:2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month.
When I look how God has blessed our country and its people, I see a similarity of the people of Juda and the world today! In verse one of our text the people had gathered as if they were one person, they came seeking a word from God. The told Ezra the scribe to bring the Tora, The Book of the Law. There seem to be a hunger to hear the commandments of God. It was the absence of knowing and hearing the Law of God that allowed them to suffer the punishment of God and their captivity.
In our text these passages refer to the remnant of people of God who gathered near the open square in front of the Water Gate. The time was the Feast of Trumpets, the date was about September 27th, 444 B.C. The harvest had past and the reconstruction of Jerusalem after 13 years was ending and there had been little concern for God and His Word. The time was the Feast of Trumpets (Lev. 23:24), and was about September 27, 444 B.C. This was the most sacred of the new moons and commenced the final month of religious festivals (Lev. 23:23-25; Num. 29:1-6). The concept of “understanding” was important as (Prov. 1:2), indicates (compare Exodus 12:26-27; Deut. 4:6; 6:6-9; 31:12-13). Mindless superstition was the mark of paganism “They have not known nor understood” (Isa. 44:18-20) and had been the downfall of apostate Israel.
We must realize that being called the “people of God” entails more than a commitment to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, commitment includes a life changing personal relationship with God the Father and His Son Jesus we begin our journey to a personal relationship with God by the reading of His Word. Israel is God’s chosen people, yet they reject many of the precepts and laws turning away from God. In a similar way I wonder how God feels when He see people use His Word the Bible as paper weights on a desk? Or left on our favorite pew after a church service only to be moved the next time we attend a service. The Bible is not a book that is to be forgotten or neglected but a book to be read and studied and its Word apply it to our hearts and lives. God Word was given to us as an instruction book to guide our lives. By reading the Word God reveals His will for our lives and brings us into a closer relationship with Him.
God’s Word is life’s road map as we journey through this world. It contains warnings about the pitfalls and potholes we may encounter or how to avoid or deal with disaster. Disaster had befallen the Southern Kingdom Judah just as it had the Northern Kingdom, Israel. These disasters came from not following and knowing God’s Word. Just as in our own lives we fall into the quicksand of the world. Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” without knowing God’s Plan, without following God’s Plan, reading God’s Word may help us to avoid pitfalls and how to deal with them when, which could have been avoid it we would only read The Book.
In reading the verses 2-3 and in 7-8 and verse 12 there is an emphases place on the word “understanding”. As God’s people we must understand God’s warnings and plans for us. In verses 2-3 the Word was read to men, women and children. "All that could hear with understanding" was probably speaking of children being in the group, if they were old enough to understand. Ezra was a true priest of God. He restricted no one from hearing the law read. As preachers and teachers and leaders of our households we must lead our congregations, Bible study Groups and families to hear and understand God’s word. I fear that there are times when we teach it is only superficial teaching. Paul said in 2 Cor 3:2 we are so spiritually immature that we only can digest the simple things of God’s Word (Milk).
As your pastor I too must prepare my heart for the proclamation of the Word but not just the preaching of the Word to you. I must apply the Word to my own life by spending time in the word. Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. NKJV. Knowing or reading of God’s Word is only the starting place we must hear it!
2nd- Hearing God’s Word Nehemiah 8:3 Then read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
The reading of the Word included the explanation of what was read. “Read … understand”: Here is the general summary of the event of reading and explaining the Scripture from daybreak to noon, a period of at least 6 hours (more detail is added in verses 4-8).
When Ezra brought the “Book of the Law” this probably referred to the Tora, not a book as we know it today, but a scroll and it read. When the Book of the Law was open to be read, we note that God thought it important to point out in the text that all the people stood at the reading of the law, from the first light of morning until noon. It is often difficult to get a congregation to sit still for one hour.
The reading may have lasted for 6 hours of reading non-stop. Verses 4-5: “Ezra was above all the people” on a platform allowing all the people to see and hear, this may well have been the first pulpit from which the Word was proclaimed, this was also an outward expression of the importance of elevating the Word of God above all who had gathered. He was in the center of the crowd as he read, exactly where the Word of God ought to be. All of Gods people should have a desire to honor the teaching of God’s Word not only should it be in the center of the people but in their hearts also. This morning as the text was read, we stood, even though the text on the screen nothing should take the place of having God’s Word (Bible) in your hand for your personal edification and growth.
Ezra was not alone on the wooden platform, there were 14 others who stood on the wooden platform. They stood with Ezra in the reading of the Book of the Law. These men supported the reading of the Word. In our churches and families we need men who are willing to lead in the reading of the Word of God. God has called men to be the spiritual leaders. As spiritual leader we must teach Gods Word
Note: Deut 6:6-9 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. NKJV
Romans 10 reminds us that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God”. To be an a committed Christian we must read the Gods Word, the reading of God’s Word makes us effective soul winners we must be able to proclaim the Word that people may see with their spiritual eyes and hear with their spiritual ears to the Holy Spirit.
Rom 10:16-18 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: "Their sound has gone out to all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the world." NKJV
ILLUSTRATION: WHICH SIDE I’M ON
Every Sunday morning without fail an elderly man could be seen walking to church. Everyone in the block knew he was deaf, unable to hear a word of the congregational hymns, the choir music, or the sermon. A cynical neighbor wrote him a note, "Why do you spend your Sundays in church when you can’t hear a word?" He answered, "I want my neighbors to know which side I’m on!" (source: Sermon Central)
3rd Applying God’s Word-Nehemiah 8: 5 And 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 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, "Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
The passage of the text points out that the people not on knew the Word, heard the Word but also under stood God word and by understanding Gods Word it was applied to their hearts. The reading of the Word moved them to action by their acknowledgement of the what was being read. “Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen”. Of what benefit if they had stood there for 6 hours and simply walked away without commitment. In saying Amen, amen they were acknowledging their commitment to follow God’s Word daily. This morning as the importance of God’s Word has been presented “Blessed the LORD”: A praise befitting the reading. In a synagogue, the reading is preceded by a benediction. The response of “Amen, amen” was an affirmation of what Ezra prayed.
Spiritual renewal and worship are inseparably linked to the Word of God. The people “lifting up their hands expressing their openness to whatever God would do (Lam. 3:41; 1 Tim. 2:8). This should be the spirit of our hearts whenever the Word of God is preached. 1 Tim 2:8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; NKJV
The people in agreement with Ezra praised The Lord by the of lifting hands and the people acknowledge their agreement by the saying Amen (v. 6) The lifting of the hands was a sign of praise lifted to heaven to God. The bowing of the head showed they were humbled before almighty God. They worshipped and praised God in unison with Ezra. (bible-study.org)
Today I wish to challenge each of you to read the Word of God every day and praying for a revival and spiritual renewal. It is only when Gods people begin to pray and read to understand the Word will true spiritual growth take place. That spiritual development will not come as a result of our own efforts but it God who will bless the spiritual growth in our lives.
1 Cor 3:5-8 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. NKJV
What place does Gods Word have in your heart and life? If there is no time for the Word in your life, there is no time for God. God want us to place His Word at the center of this congregation, center of our families and the center of our individual lives. It is His Word that brings life into the hungry soul. You can feed your body for food but physical food will only satisfy for a short time. The Word of God (Bread of Life) will satisfy for eternity.
