Making it clear ...

Hear the word of God:

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. The Levites--Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah--instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:5-10

How does reading the Word of the Lord make you feel? Do you find yourself so excited to read it that you are practically crying the entire time? Do you feel so overcome with joy at the knowledge that is pouring out of the scripture?

So many of God’s people had come back from being away from home for so long. They hadn't had the ability probably to read the word of the Lord. They did not have much knowledge of the Word of the Lord. They were just a people without a home.

The Word was read by Ezra and lives began to change. The Israelites were so excited they fell to their faces and worshipped the Lord. When was the last time you felt that?

I pray that in our time of study together, you have felt the urge to be in the Word more and to allow the Words of the Father to pour over your soul. The people in this story felt like a people without a home and a God. Yet when they came back home, they were reminded of their love for God’s word by Ezra reading scripture most of the day, and by their just standing there, listening and taking it all in. Hopefully we can all be this way. Hopefully we can all have the same attitude as we approach our God through scripture.

Read through this passage in Nehemiah. Read through Nehemiah and imagine yourself there in that crowd, building those walls, rebuilding the city, hearing the Word of the Lord read aloud for the first time in years, and maybe for the first time ever. We will dig into more of this scripture tomorrow, but for now, take the time to let his Word bring you to your knees. Ezra and the Israelites stood there the whole time dwelling in the Word and taking it in. Can't we spend a little more time ourselves? I wonder what would happen?

Jason