HoHum:
Dwight Moody was preaching one time in a Southern city about the value of the Word of God in a person’s life. Suddenly he was interrupted by a loud voice that said, “Mr. Moody, I do not believe a single word of that collection of old wives’ tales you call the Bible!” Mr. Moody answered, “My dear friend, there is one verse in this Bible that you are forced to believe. ‘Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap’ (Galatians 6:7). If a man sows wheat, he does not reap potatoes or peanuts. Take a saloonkeeper, for example; he sows drunkards, and he will reap drunkards.” The man sat down as the audience broke into loud applause. Mr. Moody did not know this man, but the audience did. He was a notorious, long time atheist saloonkeeper; and all his children, both sons and daughters, were drunkards.
WBTU:
Beginning with two quotes:
Robert Morgan said, “The Bible has played a starring role in American history from our nation’s beginnings. When George Washington was sworn into office as our first president, he did not place his hand on the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States, as hallowed as those documents are. Instead, he swore upon and even kissed the Bible to sanctify this important moment. The Bible, Washington knew, had ushered American history to this point. Trying to explain American history without the Bible is like trying to understand the human body without its bloodstream. Had there been no Bible, there would be no America as we know it. It is the Bible that made America.”
Elton Trueblood said, “The Christian is joyful, not because he is blind to injustice and suffering, but because he is convinced that these, in the light of God’s sovereignty, are never ultimate. The humor of the Christian is not a way of denying the tears, but rather a way of affirming something that is deeper than tears. Yes, a few things in life are absolutely tragic, no question about it. First among them, a joyless Christian.”
What do these 2 quotes have to do with one another? Find out today.
We come to chapter 8 in Nehemiah. Not covering Nehemiah 7 because it contains a list of the exiles who returned much like Ezra 2 does. The list in Nehemiah 7 is more complete but is similar to Ezra 2. The Israelites have spent time and energy on the material needs of the city, they completed the wall in 52 days. After this it is good to spend some time and energy on the spiritual needs of the city and we see this in Nehemiah 8.
Thesis: In Nehemiah 8 we see 3 positive responses to God’s Word
1. We must understand the Word, focusing on the mind (Nehemiah 8:1-8)
The Bible is unlike a magic book, it is meant to be understood. Many have a Bible on the shelf that is rarely read. What good is it? Good to have it around because brings good luck.
God’s Word must be understood before it can enter the heart and bring it’s life giving power.
Ezra was the ideal person to conduct this outdoor Bible school. Ezra 7:10- For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. Ezra came to Jerusalem about 16 years earlier than Nehemiah. The people remembered Ezra and wanted him to “bring out the Book.” Ezra brought the Book, opened the Book, read and explained the Book along with the help of others. This was the Jewish New Year. The New Year was soon after rebuilding the wall and it was a perfect time to make a fresh beginning. Torah was taught, first 5 books of OT. Ezra probably taught from one book (probably Deuteronomy) and brought in quotes from others for background information. Ezra stood on a wooden platform so the people could see and hear him better. When the Book was read the people stood up out of reference. Congregation stood and listened for 6 hours (imagine that?). Now the common people were unable to have copies of the Torah (too expansive, kept in temple and in the synagogues) so they were thrilled to hear the Word of God. So blessed to have many copies of the Bible in our homes and hands
The Torah is written in Hebrew and most of these people spoke in Aramaic. Aramaic is close to Hebrew but many differences. There were others in the crowd who clarified and answered questions. Psalm 119:48 says, “I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees.” Some think of meditation as emptying the mind but Christian meditation is filling the mind with the Word. Meditating is the practice of muttering and ruminating (chewing cud) on Scripture. Have to read it and study it to be able to meditate on it. Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
2. We must rejoice in the Word, focusing on the heart (Nehemiah 8:1-12)
We find here that the people begin to mourn and weep. Why? The teaching of the Word reveals that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). No one can keep the Word of the Lord, no one can keep the Law. Romans 3:10-12 says, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” As they came to the 10 commandments, they find that they have fallen so short. The Word of God brings conviction and leads to repentance, but it also brings joy; for the same Word that wounds heals. Psalm. 119:111 says, “Your statues are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.” It is a wrong to mourn when God has forgiven us as it is to rejoice when sin had conquered us. The sinner has no reason for rejoicing and the forgiven child has no reason for mourning. Today we have the good news of Jesus Christ that our sins are forgiven and we have the Holy Spirit living in us. We rejoice in the Word because it comes from our good Father. The Lord is no longer an angry judge pursuing us with a drawn sword. He is a loving Father who cares about us and wants to comfort us and to bring us joy and happiness in spite of our troubles. Our future is secure with God. Psalm 119:162 says, “I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.” There are great treasures buried in God’s Word, and we must diligently dig for them as we read meditate, and pray; and when we find these treasures, we should rejoice and give thanks. Do we delight in God’s Word? Would we rather have God’s Word than food, or sleep, or money? The Word brings joy. Sad to see that some Christians act like they were baptized in pickle juice. Getting back to the commandments, it seems like God is just a killjoy. 1 John 5:3- In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome. God tells us these things because he loves us and God knows if we get involved in sin it will bring heartache. This is the only way that the Psalmist could say that God’s statues are the joy of his heart.
3. We must obey the Word, focusing on the will (Nehemiah 8:13-18)
Obligation and appreciation are strong motives for obeying the Lord, but celebration is even stronger. The leaders just had a few days available to get the word out to everybody that they were going to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. They celebrated it on a scale like when the Israelites entered the Promised Land under Joshua. See the Feast of Tabernacles in Ezra and now here in Nehemiah. Feast of Tabernacles was a time for looking back and remembering the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. It was also a time for looking ahead to the glorious kingdom God promised His people. This was a time of harvest, a week long festival of joyful praise and thanksgiving, focusing on the goodness of the Lord. This festival involved giving, often sending food and gifts to others, especially to those who were needy. Many times the conversion of our money is the most difficult. At times our will and God’s will fails to match up, we want to do it our way and we know that God’s way is different. Romans 1:5 says, “Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.” Must understand that the emphasis here is on the word “faith.” God is interested in the obedience that comes from faith in Jesus Christ. The outcome of the gospel is obedience- an obedience that springs from faith and not from legalistic requirements. God wants obedience, but he wants the obedience of faith. The goal or intended result of the gospel is sanctification, doing God’s will not matter what our desires or personal feelings are. The gospel certainly includes the good news that we are justified by faith in the Cross of Christ, but it also includes the good news that we are by God’s grace freed from the grip of sin and equipped with what it takes to live a life of obedience. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory he sheds on our way; While we do his good will, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Ezra continued the “Bible conference” during the entire week of the feast, day by day reading and explaining the Word of God. The combination of joyful fellowship, feasting, and hearing the Word must have strengthened the people. Then the week concluded with a solemn assembly. Find more about this next time.
So what?
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed.” 1 Peter 2:2-3: Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
