In October, when the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had given for Israel to obey. 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. Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. To his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah. To his left stood Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet. Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. 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—then instructed the people in the Law while everyone remained in their places. They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage. Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the LORD your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!” And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, “Hush! Don’t weep! For this is a sacred day.” So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them. [Nehemiah 8.1-12]
There is something very deep that took place here and, if we are not paying close attention, we will miss it.
The Israelites were gathered together for the purpose of having the Book of the Law of Moses read to them.
Point one: All the people stood for the reading of God's Word.
Point two: The people agreed with the Word of God chanting, "Amen" which means "so be it" while lifting their hands.
Point three: After agreeing with God's Word, the people bowed down in worship with faces to the ground.
Point four: At some time, the people mourned and wept because of what they heard in God's Word.
Point five: Nehemiah to the people to stop being sad and instructed them to rejoice in the LORD their strength.
Point six: The people ate and drank in celebration because they had heard God’s words and understood them.
God's Word should ALWAYS be revered as sacred. Standing for the reading of the Word was (and is) a timeless and appropriate response of respect. Likewise, lifting hands and verbally agreeing with God's Word (saying "so be it") is appropriate.
Because God's righteous Word speaks to the very unrighteous soul of man, the natural response following giving the Word proper respect, is mourning and weeping - repentance.
And it is here we must see the depth of what Nehemiah recorded! Why would Nehemiah tell the people to stop mourning and weeping and instead to celebrate in the strength of the joy of the LORD? Because the Word of God cleansed them! The Word of God is JESUS! The Word of God redeemed them. The Word of God saved them! Nehemiah encouraged the people to see not condemnation in the Word of God, but their salvation! Without even mentioning Christ, what Nehemiah presented was the Good News of Jesus, Who accepts our respect and repentance, forgives us, and strengthens us with the joy of the LORD. This joy was symbolic of their being made right with God through repentance. Their celebration with food and drink was symbolic of the fellowship of the Body of Christ.
So what is the takeaway from this?
Christ will not be seen, until a person humbles himself to the Word of God (both physically and mentally through posture and declaration) and then experiences the brokenness (mourning and weeping - conviction) only God's Word can bring. At this point of humility, brokenness, and repentance, the joy of the LORD, understood in Jesus our Savior, is our strength, fellowship, and celebration with others of like mind.
Wow. Never saw that before in Nehemiah!
Father, thank You for revealing Jesus to me today in Nehemiah! Help me to see however the key points listed above and make appropriate application in my own life!
No comments:
Post a Comment