Rebuild, Repent, Revival.

 

Nehemiah Ch 8

 

1 Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel.
2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month.
3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
4 So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up.
6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, "Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place.
8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.
9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.
10 Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved."
12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared

13 Now on the second day the heads of the fathers' houses of all the people, with the priests and Levites, were gathered to Ezra the scribe, in order to understand the words of the Law.
14 And they found written in the Law, which the Lord had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month,
15 and that they should announce and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, "Go out to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written."
16 Then the people went out and brought them and made themselves booths, each one on the roof of his house, or in their courtyards or the courts of the house of God, and in the open square of the Water Gate and in the open square of the Gate of Ephraim.
17 So the whole assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and sat under the booths; for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day the children of Israel had not done so. And there was very great gladness.
18 Also day by day, from the first day until the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day there was a sacred assembly, according to the prescribed manner.

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1 Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel.

As one man, God was obviously moving amongst the people. To come together as one shows unity and in unity is strength.

in the open square ,
No embarrassment here, this was for all to see. Reading and studying in the  open.
It is a challenge to each of us in our walk with Christ, not to be ashamed of who and what we are. Always being ready to stand up for what we believe, even in the face of opposition.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

This is an open witness to all, this is what the world needs to see, the people of God in unity.
It is a disservice to God for the world to see Christian brothers and sisters at loggerheads with each other.
We should strive to make unity in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3. 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 
3 and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;…

 

One Body with Many Members.
We too, have been joined together in Christ Jesus

It is important that we come together as one body, loving and caring for its individual members.
1Co 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 

Romans 12:5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Ez 8:4 So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; 

Platform of wood.
You could say, a stage, a pulpit, or a soap box. You could say they were having an open air meeting.
On any account, they were elevating the Word of God.
An elevated place, where the Bible was once held in this country. A Bible on every pulpit, in every courtroom, in every school, yes and in most homes.
A thing that is sadly lacking in our society today.

In respect for the Word of God, they stood. They acknowledge it by “Amen” and they thanked and worshipped God.
Notice, they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses.
God is moving when one seeks His Word. However, it is as important to take note of His word and not just read it for knowledge sake. We need to let Gods to them.

Word penetrate our hearts and change us.
 

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
 

The Book of the Law is referring to the first five books of the Bible, The Torah. (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), written by Moses.

Next, we see how the people responded to the Word of God.  It was like a revival, when men, women and boys and girls hear the Word for the first time.
Not just hear the Word but “HEAR” the Word.
Many times we hear the words of Jesus, “Let him who has ears to hear, hear what the Spirit is saying”.
When they get it, when it hits home, when the penny drops, as it were, when it penetrates the heart, it affects the soul.
We see this happening on the day of Pentecost, when Peter stood up and preached the Gospel.

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

Nehemiah 8:7,8
7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place.
8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.

All those with understanding, listened to the word.
From the age of understanding, it is important for us to take notice of Gods word. That’s why it is good for us to read to our children as soon as they can understand. Before that we can use pictures. They listened for six hours. People who are willing to spend time in Gods word, will be blessed and moved to action.
This wasn’t just a Bible reading but a Bible study.
The books were read and an explanation given. This was expository preaching. Those who were teachers amongst them, helped them to understand the meaning of the text.
The Word is not there to entertain, to tickle our ears but to enlighten and teach how we should live and how we should behave.
Anyone who has a ministry of teaching, should not be doing it for admiration and self glory. If a teacher leaves you without edification and understanding, then he has failed.

V8 They read distinctly:  They gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading: 

It had a great effect on the people.

V 9 Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.

God has chosen a people for Himself.

Romans 8:30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

In the fullness of time God calls them, by the power of the Holy Spirit, they hear the Word, they are convicted of sin, righteousness and judgement and by faith are saved and justified.

John 16:8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

God has also ordained the way in which those who are called will come to Him.

It is through the preaching of the Gospel.

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Some question, why do we need to preach if all the chosen will come to God?
It is because God has also included in His perfect plan, the how, the when and the where one will come.

How will they hear, unless someone tells them.
Of course that’s were we come in, preaching, sharing, gossiping the Gospel.

Romans 10:14  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
 

When people are confronted with their sin, they very often weep. This is followed by confession and repentance. Without repentance, there is no salvation.

Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved."

There is a time for weeping and there is a time for joy.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;

Confession and repentance turns your weeping to joy.
The teachers made it clear and they helped the people understand.
 

Nehemiah 8:12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.

 

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

 

When we have heard the Word of God and understood it, we can rejoice.

The importance of leaders studying the Word of God.

Nehemiah 8:13 Now on the second day the heads of the fathers' houses of all the people, with the priests and Levites, were gathered to Ezra the scribe, in order to understand the words of the Law.

There is a great responsibility for leaders, elders and deacons, pastors and teachers to study Gods word.
Fathers and mothers of children too. They are to be an influence and an example to those that they have in their care.
This is especially necessary in these days, when heresy is rampant in the church. We need to be hearing and learning sound doctrine, for there are so many false teachers leading people astray.
The only way to refute error is through the study of the truth.
 

John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

We see next what happened as a result of looking into the Word of God.
 

Nehemiah 8:14—18 And they found written in the Law, 

They received truth and direction.
We see here a lovely example of God revealing truth and a case of simple obedience by the people.
This is a great attitude to have concerning Gods word.
Their attitude was that God said it, so we will do it.
No one can walk with God without being obedient. Just look at these two examples of people in the Old Testament who enjoyed walking closely with the Lord, and note how obedience played an important part in that relationship for each of them.

Enoch was such a man, the Bible says,
Genesis 5:22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 

Gen 5:23  And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: 

Gen 5:24  And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. 
 

300 years walking closely with God, this was Enoch’s life. He was so close to God that he did not see death, for God took him,

Noah was another,
Gen 6:9 "a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God

Noah lived in treacherous times when great evil was on the earth.
The scripture says “and Noah found favour in the sight of the Lord”.
God chose him to be the one to save mankind in the building of an Ark.
God sent a flood to kill all living creatures and saved only eight people. Genesis six.

Walking with God,
It means, you are in close proximity. You talk, laugh, listen, and share your hearts. Your attention is focused on this person to the exclusion of almost everything else.
You want to please Him, do His will.
It means seeking His will and being obedient to it.

We get  a glimpse into God’s desire for us:

Micah 6:8 "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

 

Verses 14—17
God revealed His will to the people in the books of the law.
They obeyed His word and did as the law said and this obedience brought joy of heart.

17 So the whole assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and sat under the booths; for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day the children of Israel had not done so. And there was very great gladness.

How do we find Gods will for our lives?
In the Bible of course, it is Gods word to us. If we want to know His will, read the Bible.
If we want to hear God speak to us, read the Bible out loud.

18 Also day by day, from the first day until the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day there was a sacred assembly, according to the prescribed manner.
 

There was consistency.
Day by day, until the last day.
Gods will for our life is not just today, or for a week, or a year. It is for all our life.

Psalm 1:1 –3 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. 
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day  and night. 
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.…

 

Jesus said, when He, the Holy Spirit comes, He will lead you into all truth.
He also said the Holy Spirit would bring back to our remembrance the things concerning Him.

To prosper in the things of God, to know Gods will for our life, we need to be persistent in reading and studying His word.
The Holy Spirit can only bring to our remembrance the things we have read.
 

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

 

May it be that each of us see’s revival in our lives through the reading of Gods word.

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