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“Bring The Book” • 2.3.19 • Calvary
Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service
Intro.
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In our study of chapter 7, we noted
that the people of God reformed themselves civilly now that the wall was
complete. We noted that they had chosen the right leaders with the right ethic.
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If need be, please feel free to review the entire message. At this point,
Jerusalem is operating as any other city might. What separates her from being
another civic entity?
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Chapter 8 is the story of their
reforming themselves spiritually before the Lord by their submission to His
Word! Let's begin in verse 1.
Text
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Nehemiah 8:1-3: "Now all the people gathered
together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and
they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law
before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding
on the first day of the seventh month." :
What we are seeing here isn't an incidental miracle. God's people operated on a
Biblical schedule.
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This period of time coincides with the yearly Feast of Tabernacles. This
particular year marked the 7th year of a 7 year cycle. Moses explains in
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Deuteronomy 31:9-13 : "So Moses
wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the
ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel. And Moses commanded them, saying: 'At
the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at
the Feast of Tabernacles, when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God in the place which He
chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Gather the people together, men and
women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may
hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all
the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and
learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the
Jordan to possess.'" : This is what the people of
God have gathered for. They are here, out in the open to hear their God's law!
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"Ezra: Bring out the book!" I love the way this sounds! They told
Ezra to do this! I wonder how they, the congregation, did this. Was it a chant?
Either way, they sound insistent.
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Remember that the law of Moses was not readily available in print for the
people to read. - Deuteronomy 17:18 tells us that the King of Israel was to write
himself a copy of the one copy that the priests had. Aside from those royal
copies now lost, the word was orally transmitted.
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No wonder there was such a hunger. "Bring out the book." So Ezra
strolled out in a pair of skinny jeans, prepared with a few thoughts that he
and his staff "dreamed" up.
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No friends, the waiting crowd would have rioted! He walked out before the crowd
with the only thing worthy of their time! He brought the law out before them!
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I have openly, repeatedly declared to you that I don't want to foster an
environment within any church that I serve in, where this isn't the demand upon
the preacher!
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"Bring the book!" That's what a Christian begins their life in and
that is what a Christian grows their life upon! If there isn't a hunger in your
soul for this, there is something amiss in your spirit!
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In the previous chapter, our author detailed that the population at this time
ran at nearly 50,000 people beside women and children. All of them were here who
could hear with understanding.
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The word refers to the ability to distinguish. Anyone with the ability to
discern or follow a train of thought was in attendance.
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All of God's people, young and old alike, that were capable of comprehension
were fed the Word of God, which is the only spirituallly nutritional source for
any age! Verse 3.
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Nehemiah 8:3: "Then he read from it in the open
square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before
the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the
people were attentive to the Book of the Law." : Ezra stood before the congregation and simply read from the
Book of the law, more than likely, our book of Deuteronomy, which took him
several hours.
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Think about this: They stood for at least 3 hours, potentially more! We noted
last week that the morning began with the sun's rising, which could have been
6AM.
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There isn't an argument to be made. The point is clear. These people gathered
before their God as a matter of obedience to His law. They stayed because of
what the law represented to them.
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These were God's words which Moses captured and wrote down. The higher the view
that you maintain regarding the Bible will sustain your interest as well.
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By the way, I remind you that this was not the book of Matthew or Romans. This
was the book of Deuteronomy!
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We might not find as much delight in reading that portion of our Bibles to the
left, but it is the living breathing instruction of God Almighty, delivered to
Moses for them!
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Yes, even the books of Deuteronomy, Ezekiel, Zechariah have the power to feed us!
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There should be an awe and a sense of privliege that you get to know the words
that God have been preserved for His people!
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I can hear your thoughts: " Yeah, they stood there, but they were probably
squirming and couldn't wait to get out of there." Quite the opposite. The
people were attentive.
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The NLT says that they "listened closely." There was an eager desire
to hear what God had said! They wanted as much as Ezra would give!
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What does it take for a person to be attentive to the words of God's law? I
believe that this begins with our attitude. Our attention is directly related
to our view of what is being presented.
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If what we are attending to is "important to us" we will set
ourselves up to receive it. When there is a test review or a class that
precedes a pay increase, we are on our game!
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We'll go to bed early the night before, wake up early to be sure we aren't
late, and prepare to take in the information with a voice recorder or a
notebook.
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Let me ask you: If this is how you might prepare to recieve to merely worldly
information, how much more should that be in receiving the words of eternal
life? Something to consider. Verse 4.
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Nehemiah 8:4-6 : "So Ezra the scribe stood on a
platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his
right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and
at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah,
and Meshullam. 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. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, 'Amen,
Amen!' while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped
the Lord with their faces to the ground." : Ezra took his position upon a staging area that was designed to
increase visibility, not of Ezra, but of the Word of God.
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There are 13 men at his side, six on his right side and seven on his left. It's
likely that they will go out from near Ezra to further teach the people God's
word in smaller groups.
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Understand that while Ezra's voice carried, it will not have carried to the
50,000 attendees. Ezra's job was to bring the book and to read the book.
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When he opened the book in front of the people, they responded immediately and stood
instinctively in reverential awe.
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We have made a habit of standing at the beginning of our studies since the
beginning of our church. It represents this same reverance. I prefer to act in
that moment as they did.
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They stood at attention, like an army awaiting their marching orders from the
Lord of Hosts!
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For all that we might stand for in this world, what could possibly be worthy or
have more value than this Book to a person who supposes himself to be a
believer?
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When Ezra began to speak, he offered his praise to the Lord, emphasizing the greatness,
the vast wonder of God, which caused the people to agree wholeheartedly.
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A worship service that produces this kind of response can only happen when the
Bible is center and the character of God Almighty is on full display to His
people!
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Please take note of what is not mentioned in this passage. There isn't looming
cloud or a fiery pillar to be seen anywhere. There isn't a burning bush or a
flaming sword!
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There is just a single older man standing with an open scroll, speaking of
God's greatness! Real men and women of God need nothing more than that! It's a
sad commentary when they do!
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The combination of God's Word and the heart of the people to attend to it,
created this wonderful sense of God's presence, that led them to bow their
heads and prostrate themselves!
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It's amazing what passes today for spiritual theater among so many
"church" services or "worship experiences." This was all
that was needed on that or any day for real Christians! Verse 7.
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Nehemiah 8:7,8 : "Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah,
Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan,
Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the
people stood in their place. So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and
they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading." : We made note of 13 men that were by Ezra's side in the last
section. Here are another 13 men, who are listed next to the Levites.
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Look at what their job was. Ezra had read the law aloud for all to hear. He did
not explain anything. His job was to simply read the word. These men were
dispatched to explain it.
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it's very likely that they broke up the main assembly and ministered in
smaller, pre-arranged groups. They took the time to make sure that the people
were equipped with what had been said.
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The word was explained and the people stood there to receive it. They weren't
in a hurry to head out. There was a hunger for this that prompted them all to
remain.
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These men again read from the book of the law, but did so distinctly, and then
gave their assigned group the
"sense." There are multiple translations that help us here.
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To read "distinctly" is to "clearly explain" (NLT) or to
make it "clear." (NIV) The CSB employs the word
"translating." Why would the Jewish people need the word of God
"translated?"
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Most of these people who were now living in Jerusalem, had little experience in
formal or classic Hebrew. Having lived in Persia, more were fluent in Aramaic
than in Hebrew.
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This is why God's Word required translation and explanation, even among Jewish
people. Some of the Levites were using their NKJV's and others were using their
NLT's!
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Apart from reading distinctly, with a heart to translate and clarify, these men
also gave the sense, which refers to giving insight into the text.
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Think about it this way: It's possible that a person understands the actual
words that are being used, but how often does some one miss the other
connections that make that word potent?
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If you are not used to seeing or hearing a phrase or if you have not taken the
time to read the Bible for yourself, how valuable would it be to have someone
connect the dots for you?
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That is what these men were doing! They were connecting dots, making
connections between what was in the book and what needed to be in their lives!
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In essence, what they were doing was mass expository team teaching! They were
doing what we do here every week! Verse 9.
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Nehemiah 8:9-12 : "And Nehemiah, who was the governor,
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 nor 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, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is
prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your
strength.' So the Levites quieted all the
people, saying, 'Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.' And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send
portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were
declared to them." : Before long, it became
clear to Nehemiah, Ezra and the leaders that God's Word was having an emotional
effect.
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During King Josiah's reign, when the book of the law was discovered after a
massive clean up of the Temple, the people nearly panicked at how disparate
their lives were to what was written.
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I can imagine this being the same case here and I pray that as you and I hear
or are reminded of scriptural truth that our hearts respond in kind.
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Are you still that soft toward the voice of the Lord as He speaks through His
Word? Are you still cut to the heart when His Spirit reminds you of passages
that correct your heart and life?
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There should always be a heart that responds to conviction, but on this day,
their response was out of sync. Instead of celebrating, the people were
beginning to weep!
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The leaders explained that this was a day that was sacred or holy to the Lord!
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Holiness before the Lord does not always mean somber reflection, especially on
this day!
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Instead of remaining in their grief, they were to go out and enjoy their
blessings.
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If they were blessed, they were to think to include those that didn't have
anything prepared. They weren't to let the day go by without making sure that
everyone had something to thank God for.
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This was a national day of revelry in the Lord! They were to derive joy from
their relationship with their God! That was their stronghold. That was where
they would be safe!
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Think about this: The world's religions, all of which are centered in
self-righteous works systems, which constantly leave them in fear or grief.
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If that is all that your system produces, you will eventually weaken and fold.
You won't be able to stand. You won't be motivated to continue to fight.
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Christianity is a "Christ righteousness" celebration, which does
issue in sadness over our sin, but then, as confession is made, the joy we
recieve from the Lord, re-invigorates us!
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It is that joy which makes Christianity attractive and which sustains the weary
believer through trial and tribulation.
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When Christ endured the shame of the cross, He did so because there was joy
that was set before Him! (Hebrews 12:2)
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When they received that message, the went away as they were told and they were
rejoicing, realizing what a privilege it was to understand the Word! Verse 13.
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Nehemiah 8:13-15 : "Now on the second day the heads of
the fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and Levites, were
gathered to Ezra the scribe, in order to understand the words of the Law. And they found written in the Law,
which the Lord had commanded by Moses, that the
children of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the
seventh month, and
that they should announce and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem,
saying, 'Go out to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil
trees, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make
booths, as it is written.'" : The
feast of Tabernacles was a week long even, akin to a spiritual retreat.
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The people again sought out Ezra, wanting to continue their experience of understanding
the law. This is the fifth time that the word "understanding" has
come up in this chapter!
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Having an understanding of God's law leads to an increased hunger for it!
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They learned on this second day that God had called Israel to remember their
ancestor's wildnerness wandering by living in makeshift huts or booths at the
feast of Tabernacles.
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They went all in for it, making the announcement to gather all of the materials
needed for their camping experience! It wasn't long before all returned with
the materials.
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The principle is crystal clear. They were not satisfied with mere
understanding. Their understanding lead to their wanting to obediently act upon
their understanding!
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For the Jewish nation, this was a command to enact a living, dramatic replay of
their ancestor's struggle through the wilderness.
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These little booths would provide a full sensory experience and the opportunity
to teach the next generation of Israelis the story of God's full redemption. Verse
16.
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Nehemiah 8:16-18 : "Then the people went out and
brought them and made themselves booths, each one on the roof of his house, or
in their courtyards or the courts of the house of God, and in the open square
of the Water Gate and in the open square of the Gate of Ephraim. So the whole assembly of those who
had returned from the captivity made booths and sat under the booths; for since
the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day the children of Israel had not
done so. And there was very great gladness. Also day by day, from the first day
until the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. And they kept the
feast seven days; and on the eighth day there was a sacred assembly, according
to the prescribed manner." : Before
you know it, booths were popping up all over the place! The flat roofs of
houses provided a nice evening breeze. Some preferred to camp in their
courtyards.
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Many remained right where they had been the day before or out by the Ephraim
Gate. None of this had been done since Joshua's time, likely referring to the
actual making of booths.
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They obeyed the whole law and it was a source of great gladness!
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The people rejoiced and took part in Bible studies throughout the Feast week,
plus attending the worship meeting on the 8th day, everything as God had
prescribed
Conclusion
- As we close,
there are several points that we can conclude upon that I pray would serve as
action points. Let me ask you: What is your view of God's Word?
- If you
believe it to be the supernaturally preserved capturing of the the thoughts of
God for His people, how attentive are you to it? How much are you willing to
forego to understand it?
- More than
that, what lengths are you willing to go to, to see that it is obeyed to it's
fullest extent? These questions will help you understand God's nourishment for
you and the joy that is yours.
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