Building Up In The Word Of God Series

Building Up in the Word of God

“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.” - Nehemiah 8:6

The story of Nehemiah and Ezra is divided into three parts. The first part takes place in the sixth century B.C. in Babylon, where the Persians, under King Cyrus, conquered the Babylonians and decreed that the exiled Israelites could return home to Jerusalem. In about 445 B.C., Nehemiah received a message from a relative, who had just returned from a visit in Jerusalem. The relative, Hanani, reported bad news: “The survivors there in the province who escaped exile are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” - Nehemiah 1:3. Nehemiah was determined to return to Jerusalem and help to rebuild the destroyed city. He got permission from the Persian ruler to return to his homeland.

The second part happens when Nehemiah returns to the land of his fathers and undertakes the task of rebuilding the city of Jerusalem. This man of God called the Jewish leaders together and proposed the re-fortification of the holy city. They responded eagerly: "Let us rise up and build (Nehemiah 2:18)."

The third part starts with Ezra’s sermon on rebuilding the people of Israel. What does the Word of God mean to us?

Proclaiming the Word

In the book of Nehemiah, Ezra returned from exile in Babylon. Nehemiah has successfully led in the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls in just 52 days. Ezra had led an expedition of the Jews back to Jerusalem from Babylon. In celebration of these miraculous events, all the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They ask Ezra, their high priest and scribe, to bring the book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded Israel.

This priest of the Most High God had, in his possession, a copy of the Scriptures. The day came when a large wooden pulpit was built near the Water Gate in Jerusalem and Ezra stood on the pulpit and read from the Scriptures.

“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 ... “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.” - Nehemiah 8:1-9

Why did the thousands of people in Jerusalem cry when they heard the law of Moses? It had been a long time since they had heard the scriptures being read to them. But the deep emotion of the moment came from the realization that the children of Israel had drifted far from the ways of God. They wept for their sins.

At the Water Gate, Ezra, the high priest, reached deep within his soul and called the people to a higher understanding of God. He said:

“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” - Nehemiah 8:10

But this event ends on a high note of joy. There is always a wonderful presence of peace whenever the Word of God is preached. Some people may expect somber and sad consequences when the Word of God is proclaimed. But instead, exceeding joy always fills every soul.

In many church newsletters, Bible readings are listed encouraging members to read the Bible each day. Daily reading from the Bible, brings unexpected joy to those who meditate on His word. Joy comes from biblical knowledge. God's ways may initially cause us sadness, because we will realize our sins. But joy comes because God wants to give us in His kingdom. Reading the Scriptures will bring us closer to God and will bring us exceeding joy. Life itself is enriched by the reading of God's Word. Ezra proclaimed the Word. He also called the people to follow the Word.

Following the Word

The great Christian scholar, Karl Barth, says that there are three ways in which the Word of God comes to us today. First, the Word of God is Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John says, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth (John 1:1, 14)." In other words, when Christ is proclaimed and believed, when he is embraced by faith, people find the exceeding joy of God’s Word.