He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. Nehemiah 8:3
The walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt.| WATCH ON YOUTUBE
Nehemiah had led the people in the humongous effort of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem in a staggering fifty two days. The people had settled into their towns. And the first recorded event that took place in Jerusalem was the reading of the Law, as we see in this text.
The first activity that the people chose to do, was to call Ezra, the teacher of the Law and have him read from the Book of the Law (v1). That was the priority given to the Word of God.
And that is what Ezra did. He read from the Book of the Law to an audience who stood (v5) before him for hours. From daybreak to noon is easily five to six hours. The people stood listening to the Word. The Word of God was not to be taken lightly but to be read in reverence.
The people longed to hear the Word of God. They recognized that the Law that was being read to them was straight from God and they wanted to hear. Many of those listening would not be educated to read themselves. Nor was the Word available as easily as it is today. They valued the Word of God.
In a world which is increasingly about fast and instant, too much too easily, is God’s Word and worship a priority or an option for you?
Lord, Help me prioritize worship and your Word, I pray.
Extended Reading — Nehemiah 8-10
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