The third phase of Nehemiah’s program is completed and the results are seen in the –
II. Revival. 8:1-10:31
A. The Reading of the Law. Ezra the Scribe taught. 8:1-12
1. They were assembled.. 8:1,2
a. They were united as God’s people.
b. They were united in their desire – to hear the Word of God.
These were like those that the Lord Jesus Christ was calling to as He spoke to them of judgment and of righteousness.
Matthew 13:41-43 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
These had come together with the express purpose of hearing the Word of God –
2. They were attentive. 8:3-6
“…the ears of all the people were attentive unto the Book of the Law.”
a. They prepared their hearts to hear His Word.
1). Their attitudes. The watched and listened.
2). Their actions. They stood at the opening of His Word.
b. They prayed to Him.
“And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands:…”
c. The praised Him who is worthy.
“…and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.”
3. They were admonished. 8:7,8
4. They were affected. 8:9,10
2 Kings 22:8-11 And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD. And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.
There is sorrow in the realizing of disobedience but their is joy in repentance and obedience to the will of God. The Lord’s Word will bring forth sorrow unto repentance which should result in the joy of the Lord –
2 Corinthians 7:9-11 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
5. They were appreciative. 8:11,12
Repentance and faith bring forth joy and good works –
They understood that which Jesus said 400 years later –
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Let’s be a thankful people – Praise the name of the Lord!