Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
This sermon explores how the rediscovery and understanding of God's Law transformed the Israelites' worship and relationships, offering guidance for our lives today.
Good morning, church family. We gather here today, hearts filled with hope, eyes lifted to the heavens, ready to hear the words of our Lord. We come with open minds, ready to be filled with His wisdom. We stand on the edge of a new understanding, a new perspective, a fresh revelation of His truth.
Today, we will turn our attention to the book of Nehemiah, specifically chapter 8, verses 1-8. Let's read together:
'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. 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. 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. And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose... 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. 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... And they read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.'
In the heart of the passage, we find Ezra, a scribe and a priest, bringing forth the Book of the Law of Moses before the assembly. This wasn't just a gathering of a select few, but of all who could understand - men, women, and children. The Book of the Law wasn't a hidden treasure, accessible only to a privileged few. It was brought out in the open, in the broad daylight, for everyone to hear and understand.
The reading of the Law wasn't a rushed affair. It was a deliberate, intentional act. From early morning until midday, the words of the Law echoed in the square before the Water Gate. The people listened attentively, their ears tuned to the words that were being read. The Law wasn't just read, it was heard. It was absorbed. It was internalized.
The platform from which Ezra read the Law was made of wood, a material that is both strong and humble, much like the words of the Law itself. The Law, in its essence, is strong - it is the bedrock of morality, the foundation of justice. Yet, it is humble - it doesn't boast of its own strength, but quietly guides those who choose to follow it.
When Ezra opened the book, all the people stood up. This wasn't just a sign of respect, but a symbol of their readiness to receive the Law. They were not passive listeners, but active participants in the process. They were ready to stand up, to take action, to live according to the Law.
As the words of the Law washed over the people, their response was unanimous - 'Amen, Amen.' They lifted up their hands, they bowed their heads, they worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. The Law wasn't just a set of rules to be followed, but a call to worship, a call to acknowledge the greatness of God.
The reading of the Law was more than just a ritual. It was a reconnection with their past, a reaffirmation of their identity, a recommitment to their faith. The Law reminded them of who they were, of where they came from, of what they believed in.
The Law was read clearly, and the sense was given, so that the people understood the reading. Understanding is the first step towards application. The Law wasn't meant to be a mystery, a puzzle to be solved. It was meant to be understood, to be applied, to be lived.
The reading of the Law was a communal experience. It wasn't just an individual's journey towards understanding, but a collective effort. The people listened together, they understood together, they responded together. The Law, in essence, brought them together, united them in their faith, in their worship, in their commitment to God.
As we continue to immerse ourselves in the narrative of Nehemiah, we find that the Israelites, fresh from the experience of hearing the Law, grapple with the issue of idol worship ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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