Devotions
Rev Gav
Quadruple
Nehemiah 8.1–12
All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel.
Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month.
He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.
The scribe Ezra stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand.
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen’, lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the law, while the people remained in their places. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.
Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’
So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, ‘Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.’ And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
Reflect
The writings in the Bible have always required interpreting, and there’s a great tradition of debating and discussing the meaning of scripture.
In today’s Bible Reading, which I broke down into sentences to make it a little easier to read, the situation was that Ezra read the Bible — the Torah or Law of Moses — to the people. He read it from early morning to midday, and some of his listeners could understand what he was reading and others could not understand. During the reading (or perhaps afterwards, we’re not sure) thirteen people plus members of the tribe of Levi (the temple assistants) helped interpret the law so that the people could understand it.
Once the people had understood the scripture they praised God and rejoiced, and then what did they do? They ate and drank and were spurred into social action! They threw a party and sent food to those who had no food.
It’s worth thinking about this just for a moment. Through the interpretation of scripture, people praised God, were filled with joy, celebrated, and shared with those who were going without. If that’s not a model for church I don’t know what is!
The interpretation of scripture is a joint venture between God and us pastors or Bible teachers, for the sole (or should that be ‘soul’) purpose of leading you to praise God, rejoice, celebrate, and be spurred into social action. The proof of the pudding is in the tasting, and I can tell you, if after hearing my talks, you limply shake my hand and say to me ‘nice sermon’ but don’t praise God, jump up and down, throw a party, and bless the poor, well, I’ve not done my job properly and you need to go and find another church. I’m serious!
I’m not saying for a second that us pastors are not fallible. Of course we are, and we don’t come up with the goods every week, but I think those four marks are a pretty good sign of a healthy church — worship, joy, celebration, and blessing. I guess the question is, are we a part of a church that is all four?
Pray
Holy God
Thank you for your word
that is a lamp unto my feet.
Thank you for Bible teachers
and ministers who interpret
scripture and make you known.
May I be part of a church
who praises you,
is filled with joy,
throws a party,
and blesses the poor.
Now and forever.
and then