The Book of nehemiah

Chapter 8

 

 

Nehemiah 8: [1] And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. [2] And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. [3] And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.



            In the first 6 chapter of Nehemiah we have the reconstruction of the wall around Jerusalem

            Now we begin a time of reinstruction of the people.

After the accomplishing a tremendous achievement, Nehemiah wants to protect the work.

He appoints leaders and guards to watch the city.

 

1) Reading the Word                         Vs 1-3

 

            The people gather as one man in the street before the water gate.

Remember when they repaired the walls that the water gate needed no repair.

Water represents the Word of God and the Word needs no repair.

The people have gathered before the water gate to hear the Word.

 

John 15:3

[3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

 

Eph 5:26

[26] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

 

Again, the people have gathered before the water gate to hear the Word.

Ezra was asked to bring the Book of the Law of Moses (Gen, Ex, Lev, Num & Deut).

           

            Ezra came to Jerusalem 15 years before Nehemiah. Ezra came to teach the Word of God to the people.

            Ezra brings the Book of the Law before all the people who could hear with understanding.

            Ezra began to read from the Book of the Law, from morning to noon on the 1st day of the 7th month.

            The people were attentive. They wanted to hear. They did not slouch, slumber or sigh in complaint.

 

            Romans 10:17

[17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

           

Nehemiah 8: [4] And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. [5] And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: [6] And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

2) Receiving the Word                       Vs 4-6

 

            Ezra stood upon a pulpit, which was above the people so he could be heard.

This platform was purposefully built so he could be heard.

 

On his right hand stood 6 men and on his left hand stood 7 men. These men supported the Man of God.

 

When Ezra opened the book, all the people stood up.

They recognized this Book of the Law is God’s Word.

They ALL received the Word with respect and honor.

 

The people listened while standing for hours at the reading of the Word.

 

Ezra blessed the LORD and the people answered “Amen, Amen.” They were in agreement.

The people lifted their hands in surrender and praise.

They bowed their heads in reverence and worshipped the LORD.

 

 

Nehemiah 8: [7] Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. [8] So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

 

3) Relating the Word             Vs 7, 8

 

            13 men and the Levites began to teach what was read.

            I think Ezra read a section and these men were positioned throughout the crowd to explain & expound.

 

            People need an understanding of the Word of God.

            The Spirit is our Teacher and our Guide.

            The Spirit may choose the use gifted teachers to explain the Word of God.

 

            If someone speaks above your comprehension, you cant understand.

            GOD wants HIS Word to be clearly understood.

 

            The Book of the Law was read distinctly or clearly.

The people were not entertained BUT taught the Word of God!

This teaching, blessed by the Spirit, caused the people to gain understanding.

 

 

Nehemiah 8: [9] And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. [10] Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
[11] So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.

 

 

 

4) Responding to the Word               Vs 9- 11

 

            Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe along with the Levites taught the Word of God.

            If we will ever have a revival there must be a return to the Word of God.

            Nehemiah was the political leader and Ezra was the religious leader…. Working together NOT apart!

 

            They said “This day is holy unto the LORD your GOD; mourn not nor weep”

            Why did they say that? “For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.”

 

The Spirit of God brought conviction through the Word of God being declared.

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

Their tears were evidence of conviction. Many had never heard the Word of God.

They were sad over sin

They knew they were currently in sin. They knew why they went into captivity  to begin with.

 

            BUT knowledge of sin should NEVER exceed the knowledge of the Savior.

            Once we are sorry for sin and confess, HE forgives us and takes our sin away, then we rejoice!

 

            Nehemiah said “the joy of the LORD is your strength

            1 J 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

            Friend, GOD is doing a great work in us, we must be glad and joyful!

 

 

Nehemiah 8: [12] And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

 

5) Rejoicing at the Word                   12

 

            The people understand they have confessed and are forgiven.

They got the help they needed and they leave joyful and praising GOD.

 

 

Nehemiah 8: [13] And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.

 

6) Reviewing the Word                      13

 

            The leaders gather the NEXT day for further study and instruction from the Word.

They were hungry for more the next day! Most people will not come back the same day much less the NEXT day!

 

            The NEXT day would be the day after worship; similar to our Monday when most are ready to quit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nehemiah 8: [14] And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:
[15] And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
[16] So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.
[17] And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.
[18] Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.

 

 

7) Reviving of the Word        14-18

 

Again, you will never see revival without a return of obedience to the Word of GOD.

It was found in GOD’s Word that they were to observe the Feast of the Tabernacles in the 7th month.

The Feast of Tabernacles was to be observed in a 7 day feast.

The people were to live outside in booths made of branches.

They were to be thankful for GOD’s protection, provision & guidance when they were in the wilderness.

 

Lev 23:[42] Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:
[43] That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

 

The people observed these holy days in a way that had not been done since Joshua 1000 years before.

Their obedience brought great gladness.

Everyday Ezra read the Word of God to the people.

 

Deut 31:9 And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel. [10] And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, [11] When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. [12] Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: [13] And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

They kept this Feast a full 7 days as commanded and the 8th day was a solemn assembly.