The Word Applied

I. THIS WAS A TIME OF CRISIS

Many enemies seeking to cause the downfall of Nehemiah, and frustrate his plans

1. THERE WAS A RESTORATION

The people had been released from the Persian captivity by Cyrus, (an event foretold by the Prophet Isaiah 250 years before – Isaiah 44:28). They were now in possession of Jerusalem.

2. THERE WAS A RESENTMENT

The enemy were not pleased about the return to Jerusalem!

a. They Had Introduced Compromise

1) Mixed Marriage

2) Laxity in Law-keeping

3) Weariness in worship

b. They Had Introduced Complacency

They were satisfied as they were.

3. THERE WAS A REQUEST

To read the Word of God.

II. THIS WAS A TIME OF GUIDANCE

1. THERE WAS A READY RECEPTION

v.1 All the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate.

Men, women & children.

2. THERE WAS A RESPECTFUL RECEPTION

V.5 5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.

a. They Showed Their Respect

They stood up.

b. They Showed Their Worship

They lifted up their hands

c. They Showed Their Humility

They bowed their heads

3. THERE WAS AN ATTENTIVE RECEPTION

v.3 And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

a. They Were Attentive All Morning

Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the feast for seven days, He read it aloud from daybreak till noon

b. They Were Attentive All Week

V 18 Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the feast for seven days,

III. THIS WAS A TIME OF APPLICATION

1. THE WORD BROUGHT UNDERSTANDING

v. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.

2. THE WORD BROUGHT REJOICING

v. 17And their joy was very great.

3. THE WORD BROUGHT RENEWAL

a. They Shared Their Possessions

v. 10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

v. 12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

b. They Obeyed The Word Of God

V 14 - 17 They found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in booths during the feast of the seventh month 15 and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: "Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make booths"— as it is written. 16 So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves booths on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim.

17 The whole company that had returned from exile built booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.

c. They Renewed Their Vows

Chapter 10:28 & 29