So on October 8, Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law. Nehemiah 8:2-3
Some of the greatest moments of growth in my life happened when I heard the Bible taught aloud. Something profound happens when we are gathered together surrounded by people listening to Scripture being read and taught to us. God moves in the lives and hearts of people when His Word is proclaimed. In our day and age, we have so much access to all kinds of public reading and teaching of the Bible that we take this privilege for granted. In the book of Nehemiah, the people of Israel did not have the access we have today. As a result, they understood the gift of listening to the preaching and teaching of God's Word.
Nehemiah 8 recounts a time when the people of Israel gathered together to hear the Law. In this chapter, the Israelites came and asked Ezra, a scribe, to bring Scripture out and read it (verse 1). During this time, people did not have their own copies of Scripture. Because of this, they relied on religious leaders to read it to them. At their request, Ezra came to the people and began reading Scripture. Verses 2 and 3 tell us that Ezra "brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand." When Ezra opened Scripture, they stood to their feet and praised God (verse 4). Can you imagine this moment and the gratitude these people had when they saw one of their leaders open Scripture and read? They did not take this moment lightly, celebrating the opportunity to learn from the Word of God.
Did you have time to watch the weekend service? If not, set aside time today to watch it here. If you did watch, share the service with someone who you know it will encourage. What a privilege it is to hear the Word of God read to us on a regular basis!
all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.
So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.
Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
