Nehemiah 8:1-18
Please read your Bible text: Neh. 8:1-18
“For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.”(8:9b)
It wasn’t just the outward restoration of the temple ruin and broken wall. It was also the inward restoration of the hearts that God was after! The restoration of the temple was physical, but the restoration of the people was spiritual. Nehemiah was beginning to realize that God had called him to do more than just the rebuilding of the broken ruin but also the rebuilding of the hearts. Little did Nehemiah knew that beyond the reconstruction from the rubbles, was a spiritual revival among the returned.
What good is a temple without the true worshippers? So, the people came as one, in a unanimous call for Ezra, the priest and a contemporary of Nehemiah to read from the Book of the Laws. While Nehemiah was the prayer-man, Ezra was the Bible-man. So, Ezra read from the Book of the Laws. These are Scriptures (the Word of the LORD). The result of reading the Scriptures was a revival broke out among the people.
The Word of the LORD is Vital – vv1-8
God’s Word to us today is the Scriptures, the written Bible. To the people back then it was the Book of the Laws – the first 5 book of Moses. This is the Scriptures that Jesus himself read when he was on earth. Isn’t it amazing that what we have in the Bible – from Genesis to Deuteronomy and the writings and the prophets were indeed the very writings that Jesus had read? The Scriptures we have in our hands today is indeed the best sellers ever!
Whenever man gives attention to the reading and listening of God’s Word, there will be the constant renewal of his spirit, the nourishment of his soul. When the people of God as a church give attention to the Word of God – there wouldn’t need for spiritual revival – because their spirits are in constant touch with God. Their spiritual lives are constantly sustained. Spiritual revival is meant for those who spirits are dying and in need of revival.
So, for those whose spirit beings are dying – the reading and listening of the Word of God are vital for spiritual revival. Just like these returned exiles. They had been out of touch with God’s word and without the temple worship, the Book of the Laws were long forgotten. Many just lived on, integrated into the foreign lifestyle and worldly pursuits.
Notice that the reading of the Books of the Laws took place at the public square just in front of the Water-Gate. This is significant because water speaks of cleansing. Jesus himself had said, “You’re already clean because of the word I have spoken to you” – (John 15:3). And Ezra was reading the Scriptures on a raised wooden platform in the midst of the people. The Word of God was taking centre stage among the people so also the Word of God must take centre place in our lives today.
The Word of the LORD Brings Conviction – vv8-12
The reading of God’s Word has such powerful effects. Conviction of sins follows with repentance. Conviction of God’s love and goodness brings ardent worship from the hearts. What happened to the returned Jews, when they heard the reading of the Book of the Laws? They were united as one. They prostrated in worship. They worshipped God with such respect. They not only heard the Word but also listened attentively. For 7 consecutive days, from morning till noon, they listened and with understanding. The resultant conviction of sins, and of their failures and neglects brought about such conviction that many (both men and women) wept. There were tears of repentance.
The Joy of the LORD is your strength – v10
This text has been coded by many but most of us hardly knew the context from which it is taken. It was in the context of weeping under the conviction of sins. This incident here happened on the Jewish festival of booths (tabernacles) or festival of thanksgiving. It was supposed to be a joyful occasion of celebrating God’s goodness for their harvest. So, Nehemiah urged the people not to weep but to joyfully celebrate this day before the LORD, “for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
We don’t know much joys until we have gone through many tears. But we must not stay on weeping to the extent that we are incapacitated to do the will of God. The Psalmist said, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” – (Psalm 30:5). There will be some night seasons of tears in our lives, but surely, just as the sun will rise, so also the joy of the Lord will come in the morning. When we believe the joy of the Lord, our spirits will be strengthened against all odds in life! So, there will time for tears, but more so we must take hold of the joy of the Lord, and stay joyful regardless of circumstances.
The Doers of the Word Make the Day – vv13-18
The returned people not only hear the Word but were doers of the Word. They understood that it was commanded in the Book of the Laws to dwell in booths during this festival, they wasted no time to get into action. So, for the first time since Joshua brought them into the promised land, the people of God began to take heed to God’s Laws.
Hearing and understanding the Word of God brings faith and spiritual nourishment. But it is applying the Word of God that will bring change or transformation. It is true that outward renovation won’t cut it, but the inner transformation of the heart must always produce resultant actions. “But be doers of the Word and not hearers only…” – (James 1:22).
Think: Both the Word and the Joy of the Lord are our Offensive Weapons.
Prayer: Create in me a hunger for your Word O Lord. Put on me a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness that I may know the joy of the Lord is my strength.
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