Brian Fisher

Grace Bible Church

“Listen! God is Speaking!”

Nehemiah 8

While the walls remained destroyed, it was physically impossible for the people to worship despite the completion of the temple. Enemies continually threatened the lives of worshippers (4:2). Upon completion of the walls, there was a greater level of security (6:15; 7:1). Now the people could get on with the business of worship. Ezra stepped in at this point to give spiritual direction by reading the Law, so long neglected. The people responded with celebration, confession of their sins, and remembrance of the faithfulness of the Lord.

I. God’s word is for ALL PEOPLE

Right Place – not the Temple; 8:1

Not the inner courts; Not just priests and Levites

Not just Jews; gentiles could come here

Not just ceremonially clean

Not just the men, but women and children – 8:2

Water gate – probably outside the wall, in the valley near Gihon spring; area large enough for a great crowd of people; 30,000?

8:4; Laymen standing with Ezra; took turns reading?

Time to learn – 8:6-8; Levites

Mingled with people during breaks; answered questions

Culture had changed; 1000 years separated from writing of Law of Moses

Language had changed; many had lost ability to understand Hebrew; translation necessary

Example – John Wycliffe, first translation into English in 1382:

“alle ye that traueilen & ben chargid come to me & I schal fulfille you. take ye my yok on you & lerne ye of me for I am mylde and meke in herte: and ye schulen finde rest to youre soulis/ for my yok is softe & my charge liyt.”

—Matthew 11:28-30

Interpretation and application

Deeper study by Levites – 8:13

Skillful teacher – Ezra 7:10; and to PRACTICE

What do you have in your hands.

God-breathed; dual authorship

66 authors; 1500 years; one message

God is holy; we have sinned; God must judge sin, but God loves us. In Christ His mercy and justice meet.

I believe the Bible is the best gift that God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this Book. I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.

—Abraham Lincoln

Within the covers of one single book, the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems that face us today--if only we would read and believe.

—Ronald Reagan.

Imagine if you had no Bible, no translation into your language or it was unavailable to you in a closed country.

II. God’s word brings conviction to ALL – 8:9-12

Timing – 8:2b

Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah; Jewish New Years; began with blowing of shofar); month preceding Rosh Hashanah they look back; time of introspection visit graves of ancestors and recall their faithfulness.

Hearts prepared to listen; listened for a long time

Continued for 6 hours a day for a week – 8:3; 8:18

8:3 – define “attentive” = the ears of all the people were toward the book

8:5 – stood in reverence

Hands lifted; desire to receive a blessing

Bowing low; humility before God

How do we prepare our hearts? Circumstances

Just start reading, even if you don’t feel like it.

There is a time for conviction, but not today

Why was sadness an inappropriate response?

8:9; Day was holy; Feast of Trumpets was day for celebration; a feast. A time to remember His earlier acts of redemption

8:10; The joy of the Lord is your strength (“protection” from His judgments on your transgression of the Law). Joy that God gives because you are forgiven.

You have identified yourself with God and His people in celebrating His acts of redemption. That joy comes from God.

Celebrate forgiveness and restoration; Celebrate completion of wall

III. God’s word brings joy and hope to ALL – 8:13-18

2 weeks to prepare to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles

Look back

Look around

Look ahead

Conclusion

One application: READ THE WORD every day this week, even when you don’t want to.

Put God to the test – see if He doesn’t reward the investment.

An unknown writer said, “This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.”

—Source Unknown.