Nehemiah 8 "THE BOOK" Not all of the Lord's people have the same abilities, understanding and God-given gifts. Nehemiah was a good organizer and knew how to get things done when it came to building the wall and getting order established in Jerusalem. Ezra had come to Jerusalem twelve or thirteen years before and had brought the vessels for the temple with him. The sacrifices and offerings were begun again when he came and the people were reminded again of who they were and what made the people Israel unique. It was during that time he had to teach what the scriptures had say to about mixed marriages and then bring about the changes that had to be made, although some obviously didn't comply with that teaching. As a "man of the book" he had spiritual authority that people recognized.
Personal achievements are examples of what God can do through people during their lifetime. Personal commitment to live for God is very different. Those who are effective spiritual leaders are not usually all that conscious nor aware of what they have done in life because they are busy doing what God wants. Those who are personally committed to the Lord are concerned with obeying Him rather than keeping track of what they have done. Ezra was a careful student of the scriptures and he intended to not only know what the word of God said, but to obey it himself and teach others. He was committed to teaching other people what the scriptures said and why it was important to apply biblical truth to their lives. It isn't enough to know what the Bible says. That can be learned without any real commitment. Those who teach must know it themselves, practice it themselves and "be able to teach others also."
Ezra's teaching set the stage of Nehemiah's work and the return of the nation to the fear of God. He led the revival of scriptural teaching, and Nehemiah led the rebuilding of the wall and orderly recovery of the nation to be a law-abiding people. Two different kinds of men, each with a different work, were able to coordinate their work successfully. When the people of God need to return to their roots, including moral living and spiritual practices, the use of the variety of gifts God gives different people can be the key to those things happening in the most profitable way. Israel has a spiritual basis for their national identity that isn't the same in other nations. In many countries a point is made to separate the spiritual practices of the people from their political and social practices. Israel's laws in Bible times that governed national life were the word of God, the statutes and precepts, and the commandments of scripture.
For the people of God today the preeminence of the word of God is the cause and key to revival. It is incumbent upon us to "rightly divide the word of truth." When the word of God is given a preeminent place before the people, not just the teachers and leaders, a movement can start among the people that begins in each person's heart. Then the saints are unified because of the word of God, not just the words and challenges of a charismatic leader. A gathering of the Lord's people in an appropriate place for the right reason has an impact upon each one because of the fellowship expressed and shared. In front of the "Water Gate" seems to be a suitable place to hear the water of the word of God read and interpreted. A spiritual leader who's heart was repaired and who is able to teach the word of God, is needed to help apply what is read.
Ezra had waited patiently for the right conditions and the right time before he was able to have the undivided attention of the Jews. He did not interfere in any way with Nehemiah's building work. They both did what God wanted in harmony with each other and under divine direction. When the right day came soon after the wall was finished and within a month of the three fall Feast of Jehovah, the people stood together as families listening to the words of "The Book" being read by Ezra. He was on a high platform with six men on one side and seven on the other so the people could see him and hear him read. They paid attention to him because they had wanted him "to bring the book" and read the words of God Moses had written down.
The voice of God is heard through the public reading of the word of God. It is important for us to remember that ourselves and pass that truth on to our child. Scriptures are the inspired "breathings of God" to us, not a mere recitation of ancient stories and facts. Exhortation and instruction should accompany the reading of the word of God today just as it did them when men moved among the people to give them understanding as to what the word meant. Attention was given to this reading and that which accompanied it for six hours. The book was spread open before them all and the men on either side of Ezra standing with him would have given the whole event a sense of respect and reverence as the spiritual need of the people was felt.
There was a verbal response by the people when they said, "Amen, Amen!" There was also a physical response as the lifted their hands, and bowed their heads and faces toward the ground. There was also a spiritual response as they "worshipped the Lord." Men assisted in this event moving among the people and making sure they understood the teaching ministry Ezra was giving. The result of this reading was conviction of sin and tears of repentance and restoration. Recovery with tears, and joyful celebration go together as we are strengthened by facing and dealing with sin and returning to the Lord with heartfelt reality. The two leaders brought hope and joy back to the people by this holy activity before a holy God. The objective behind such a time is "a holy people" who will glorify God.
What should I do with what I learn and come to know personally? What changes does the reading of the word of God make in me? Hopefully there will be a restoration of spiritual commitment, and the resolve to not allow anything to take the place of Jesus as Lord in my life. For the Jews in that day there was the Feast of Trumpets sounding joy through the nation. Then there was the Day of Atonement relating to their repentance. The last of the feast was the Feast of Tabernacles that lasted for a week and reminded them of where they had come from and what was ahead in the future millennium reign of the True Messiah. They would have been reminded for the first time since the days of Joshua that God had brought them out of bondage and protected and guided them through the wilderness, providing for them all the way to the promised land. The message would have spread throughout the nation - a new Sabbath is coming. "Jesus will reign where're the sun, doth its successive journey run."