The Season Of Celebration Series

Nehemiah 8:1-12 [8:1] And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded Israel. [2] So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. [3] And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. [4] And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand. [5] And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. [6] And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," 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, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. [8] They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. [9]And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and 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 or weep." For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. [10] Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." [11] So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved." [12] And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them. (ESV)

This week a mix of Extinction Rebellion, animal liberation and anti-bank protesters took over a section of Bay/King streets in Toronto. One commentator noted the irony of stopping Toronto’s busiest surface transit route, diverting people to taxis, ubers, etc in their protest of what they claim is a climate & ecological emergency. Around the world in major urban areas we are seeing groups come together, sometimes in mass, to announce their concerns to a broader public. (https://twitter.com/moore_oliver/status/1184217663549165569?s=19)

There is something distinct however when God moves a people on mass. This phenomena, known as a revival, has particular qualities that can be discerned. What is described in chapters 8 and 9 of Nehemiah, along with the other great spiritual renewals Israel had experienced under Asa (2 Chron. 14–15), Hezekiah (2 Chron. 29–31), and Josiah (2 Chron. 34–35), provide an interesting study of the basis for spiritual renewal and the ingredients found there have been present in every genuine revival ever since (Elwell, W. A. (1996). Vol. 3: Evangelical commentary on the Bible. Baker reference library (Ne 8:1). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House.). In every genuine revival among God’s people the revealed word of the Lord has had a large place. It was so in Josiah’s day, and in the awakening under Hezekiah. It has been so throughout the Church period. It was the recovery of the Word that brought about the Reformation of the 16th century, and every true awakening since has been based upon Bible study and Bible practice. Of no spiritual movement in history could this more truthfully be said than of that special work of God which began almost simultaneously in many parts of Great Britain and Ireland in the first half of the 19th century. Here and there little companies of devoted believers were found gathering together to search the Scriptures, seeking a right way for themselves and their children in the midst of the existing ecclesiastical confusion and dead formality (Ironside, H. A. (1913). Notes on the Book of Nehemiah. (88–89). New York: Loizeaux Bros.).

Nehemiah 8 challenges the tendency of a complacent approach to the Bible and our tendency to associate God’s Law with grudging obedience. The completion of the wall in chapter 6 sets the stage for chapter 8. God’s people finally have adequate physical protection, so it is time for spiritual rebuilding. And here, after a mysterious thirteen year absence, Ezra reappears to lead the people into renewal as God’s covenant people whose lives are ordered by the Law. Meanwhile, Nehemiah steps into the background during this season of spiritual restoration (Roberts, M., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1993). Vol. 11: The Preacher's Commentary Series, Volume 11 : Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. The Preacher's Commentary series (231–232). Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Inc.).