As time passes, the intricacies of tasks we haven’t engaged with fade from memory. Many of us would struggle to achieve a perfect score on simple math and English tests without reviewing the material. Similarly, without regularly engaging with the Word of God, our memories of it can diminish, leading us to rely solely on our imperfect recollections. Even stories familiar from our youth may fade into distant memories. During the 70-year exile, the people of Jerusalem had neglected their regular reading and understanding of the scriptures. As a result, Nehemiah enlisted Ezra’s help to remind the people of the Law and the Scriptures as though they had never heard them before.
And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Nehemiah 8:1-8.
Understanding God’s Word is fundamental for believers to align with His mission on Earth. Ezra’s reading of the Law, aided by the Levites, emphasizes the importance of listening to and engaging with God’s Word to grasp its meaning and application. Regular engagement in personal study and corporate worship enables us to discern God’s messages and directives for our lives.
Responding to God’s Word ensures that we don’t merely listen in vain. With hearts filled with reverence and worship, the people responded to the reading of the Law by standing, lifting their hands, bowing their heads, and worshipping God. This exemplifies the appropriate posture when encountering God’s Word. The Scriptures aim to elicit a response from us, prompting us to become active readers who listen and respond to God’s guidance.
Leading others to understand Scripture requires spiritual leaders who can effectively communicate and explain God’s Word. Ezra and the Levites played a crucial role in bringing God’s Word to the people, emphasizing the importance of leaders who make God’s Word accessible to everyone. As followers of Christ, we are called to worship God by sharing the Gospel with our communities, spreading the Good News, and living lives that reflect the transformative power of God’s Word.
Recognizing the importance of regular engagement with God’s Word, we should avoid straying from a life that reflects the Gospel. To make a meaningful impact, believers must undergo a transformation themselves, showcasing evidence of the Gospel’s transformative work. God’s mission for the world is to share the message of love through the Gospel, and for the church to effectively share this message, its members must become familiar with it and learn to convey God’s love to others. This empowers the church to stand in as priests, demonstrating the incredible lengths God will go to show the world His love.
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