September 19th~Line by Line

Nehemiah 7:4-8:12

Moses wrote the first five books of the Old Testament, which included both the covenant and the laws that God had given to the nation of Israel. These books are sometimes referred to as the Pentateuch today, which means “five tools or books,“ or the Torah, meaning “the law or instruction.” When Moses gave his book to the priests, it came with these instructions, “At the end of every seventh year, the Year of Release, during the Festival of Shelters, you must read this law to all the people of Israel when they assemble before the Lord... Call them all together so that they may listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully obey the terms of this law. Do this so that your children, who have not known these laws, will hear them and will learn to fear God. Do this as long as you live in the land...” (Deuteronomy 31:10-13).

In our passage today, the people of Jerusalem were celebrating the Feast of Trumpets and the Feast of Shelters. When the trumpets were sounded, the people were to gather with their families in the city for a solemn assembly. The Feast of Shelters (sometimes called Feast of Booths or Tents) was a celebration of their freedom from slavery in Egypt. The name was derived from the tents they used in the dessert during the exodus, on their way to Canaan, the Promised Land.

In accordance with the command of Moses, “the people asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses which the Lord had given to Israel to obey... Ezra stood on a platform in full view of the people. When they saw him open the book, they rose to their feet,” out of respect for the words of God (8:1, 5). “From early morning until noon, Ezra read aloud to everyone who could understand.” While he read, “the Levites instructed the people, clearly explaining the meaning of what was being read, helping them to understand each passage” (8:3, 7, 8). The people wept when they heard the words of God and recognized their disobedience to His laws.

Daily Reflection

What similarities do you see between this ceremony and our church services today?

I liked that the ceremony ended at noon! Perhaps this is where we get our modern aversion to any preacher that goes past lunchtime! We can’t seem to focus on an empty stomach!

I found it interesting that while Ezra read the scriptures line by line, word for word, they were explained to the people. He is the first recorded person to practice exegesis or expository preaching, that of analyzing the Word of God, breaking it down verse by verse, and carefully teaching it so that people could comprehend and apply it. While this practice is not the most popular in churches today, it is the most effective means of helping Christians mature in their understanding of the Bible.

While there is nothing wrong with the occasional topical study of the Bible, what do you see are the benefits of teaching the Bible like Ezra?

Are you seeking to understand God’s Word in this way? Are you exposing yourself to expository preaching? Be a student. Go deeper!

BiAY.org |Day 262 — 103 Days to Go