Re: Visit
Ian El-Paget
January 26, 2025
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Nehemiah 8: 1-12 (NIV)
1 all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.
2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Lawbefore the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 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.
4 Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.
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. 6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”
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.
This scene challenges me, mainly because it happens too rarely for me.
I read but leave unchanged. My understanding remains unchanged, no notable revelation nor increased comprehension.
Am I moved by God’s Word?
Not the way I should be, I am neither grieved nor filled with joy and wonder. Yet I believe this book to hold treasures for life and living with God.
Do I have a real community experience of yielding to the wise words of God, and leave with the intention of passing it on, of paying it forward?
I am challenged, deeply challenged that my experience both personal and communal has NOT increased but has stagnated and in fact has effectively diminished over the years. I am reading with knowing eyes and rutted ears that stick to well worn paths of my making.
But this scene also inspires me, to re:visit familiar texts with both new and old friends — believing for more revelation, greater revelation, fresh revelation.
Pray with me today for open eyes and open ears to behold the diamonds in God’s word under the light of the Holy Spirit. To see new angles and dimensions. New readings and new applications.
Pray with me today for new boldness to manifest the joy of the Lord as my strength. To glory in his marvellous Word and share the celebration of revelation with others who missed it and missed out!
Prayer:
Lord God,
Open my eyes to catch the glints of revelation light from your ever glorious diamond studded Word.
Lord,
Open my ears to hear the whispers of your Spirit calling my attention to deeper revelation.
Lord,
Fill me today with a new boldness to manifest your joy.
May the joy of the Lord be my strength.
May I glory at his marvellous Word
and May I be intentional
sharing the celebration of revelation
with someone today as my worship to You
Amen
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