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Judah in Renewal 19: Extolling the Word of God

  • Pastor's Blog

Nehemiah has been a great leader for God’s little flock amidst the rubble of Jerusalem.  Now he leads in Nehemiah 8 by extolling the Word of God.   

  • Contextual/Comparison: God keeps His Word: God uses His Word.  People of Judah re-established as people of the book. Importance of the written Word of God and its authority. A reviving of attention and believing submission to the Word of God.

Nehemiah 8:1 – “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.”

  • Grammatical Usage: “one” or in the Hebrew, “’echad” meaning, “each; every”; “man” or “’iysh” meaning, “servant”; “spake” or “’amar” meaning, “to speak from the heart.”
  • Literal Interpretation: All the people gathered together as one people, in unity as servants, at the square in front of the Water Gate. Speaking from their collective hearts, they asked the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses that the Lord had given Israel.
  1. (8:1-4) Desiring the Word
    1. The unified assembly – taking time to hear/understand the Word
      1. Unified Assembly: “all the people gathered as one man”
      1. Symbolic Setting: “the square which was in front of the Water Gate”
    1. The focus upon the Word
      1. Designated Teacher: “Ezra the scribe”
      1. Inspired Instruction Manual: “the book of the law of Moses”
      1. Sacred Stewardship: “which the Lord had given to Israel”
    1. The delivery and reception to God’s Word
      1. Application Oriented: “who could listen with understanding”
      1. Strategic Timing: “on the first day of the seventh month” (Deuteronomy 31:11-13)
      1. Personally Attentive: “the ears of the people were attentive”
  • (8:5-8) Reverencing the Word
    • The respect afforded the Word: “the people stood”
    • The anticipation of the Word: “Amen, Amen; worshiped the Lord”
    • The responsibility imparting the Word: “helped the people understand”
    • The responsibility to embrace the Word: “the people understood”
  • (8:9) Conviction through the Word
    • God’s Word is convicting: “the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law”
    • The day is God’s day: “This day is holy to the LORD your God”
    • God is forgiving: “do not mourn or weep”
  • (8:10-12) Joy through the Word
    • Submission brings revitalization: “the joy of the LORD is your strength”
      • joy based upon forgiveness
      • joy nourished in affliction
      • joy that is dependent on obedience to God
      • joy that is independent of circumstances
    • Submission heals the soul: “do not be grieved”
    • Submission generates mission: “send portions”
    • Submission generates reward: “great rejoicing”
      • Things will be well with you (Ephesians 6:2–3)
      • You will have a long life (Ephesians 6:1–3)
      • You will bring delight to the Lord (Colossians 3:20)
      • You will avoid fear of condemnation (Romans 13:3–4)
      • You will maintain a good conscience (Romans 13:5)
      • You will bring joy to your authorities (Hebrews 13:17)
      • You will receive God’s reward (Colossians 3:18–24)
      • You will avoid blaspheming God and His Word through rebellion (I Timothy 6:1)
      • You will be given clear direction (Proverbs 6:20–22)
      • You will be protected from evil people (Proverbs 6:23–24)
      • You will gain discernment (Proverbs 15:5)
      • You will receive praise from your authorities (I Peter 2:13–14)
      • You will honor those whom God has placed in authority over you (I Thessalonians 5:12–13)
      • You will escape the destruction of pride (I Timothy 6:2–4)
      • You will receive the grace God gives to the humble (I Peter 5:5–7)
  • (8:13-19) Doing the Word
    • Study the Word: “came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law”
    • Apply the Word: “found it written”
    • Promote the Word: “proclaim it and publish it”
    • Obedience to the Word: “the people went out…and returned”
    • Accept the correction of the Word: “the people of Israel had not done so”
    • Be people of the Word: “there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule (of the Word)
  • Conclusion: What rules in your heart?  It is either the Living God…or not.  You know.