[:en]SCRIPTURE: NEHEMIAH 8
“Ezra praised the Lord, the great God’ and all the people lifted their hands and responded: “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped Lord with their faces to the ground” (Nehemiah 8:6)
“Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve” (Nehemiah 8:11)
“Day after day from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the feast for 7 days and on the 8th day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly” (Nehemiah 8:18)
EZRA READS THE LAW (vs. 1-18)
This chapter emphasized on the people’s dedication to the Book of the Law of Moses. The walls were completed on the 25th of sixth month (Nehemiah 6:15). So, as the 7th month, all people assembled at Water Gate to listen to God’s Word. Ezra the priest read the Word and explained while the people listened. The people wept at hearing the Word with grief for their sins. Ezra commended them to be joyful because it was to be a day of rejoicing.
The following day, the leaders met with EZRA and discovered the law while the Lord had commanded through Moses to live in booth during the feast of Tabernacle. The people obeyed and there was great gladness. Ezra and the Levites taught the Word day after day and led the people to confession and prayer.
SUMMARY:
The people honored God’s Word by standing at the Water Gate (represents God’s Word) when it was read (v. 1). They listened attentively and seek to understand it when it was explained (v. 2). They rejoiced as they understood the word (v. 12) and obeyed the word (v. 17).
The Word of God is essential in Christian life. We have to honor, listen, understand and obey it.
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