Nehemiah Called For a "Bible Conference”

Topic: Celebrate
Passage: Nehemiah 8:1–12

October 4, 2021

Commentary

Nehemiah called for a “Bible conference” and invited Ezra, to be the teacher. Ezra was a scribe and a priest who had come to Jerusalem 13 years prior to Nehemiah.  If God is to work through His people, they must respond positively to His Word. In this chapter three basic responses are described:

  1. Understanding His Word (vv 1-8) – Adults and children who were old enough to understand (vv 2-3) listened attentively from the time of daylight till noon to the reading of “the book of the law.” Ezra stood on a platform above the people with 13 men who were Levites. Out of respect, all the people stood while the Word of God was being read (v. 5) and at certain times they responded by lifting their hands and saying “amen” (v. 6). The ultimate purpose of this reading was that the people would begin to understand the Law of God.
  2. Conviction by His Word (vv 9-12) – Apparently, the reading of the Law had a deep and profound effect on the people. As Ezra read and explained the Word, the assembly’s first response was one of conviction and grief (v. 9). Having been faced with the commandments of God the people realized their sin and were in a state of sorrow.

Assisted by the Levites, Nehemiah convinced the people to stop mourning and start celebrating.  It is important to weep for sin, but we also need to celebrate what the Lord has done. They were to celebrate by having a feast of eating, drinking and sending their food and drink to the poor who did not have anything to celebrate with (v. 10).

Application

In order to celebrate the joy of the Lord I must believe what God says in His word and act upon it. Faith that is centered in the Word of God will produce joy that will weather the storms of life.

Nehemiah 8:1– 12 (NET)

1 all the people gathered together in the plaza which was in front of the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly which included men and women and all those able to understand what they heard. (This happened on the first day of the seventh month.) 3 So he read it before the plaza in front of the Water Gate from dawn till noon before the men and women and those children who could understand. All the people were eager to hear the book of the law.

4 Ezra the scribe stood on a towering wooden platform constructed for this purpose. Standing near him on his right were Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Masseiah. On his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 Ezra opened the book in plain view of all the people, for he was elevated above all the people. When he opened the book, all the people stood up. 6 Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people replied “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

7 Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—all of whom were Levites —were teaching the people the law, as the people remained standing. 8 They read from the book of God’s law, explaining it and imparting insight. Thus the people gained understanding from what was read.

9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priestly scribe, and the Levites who were imparting understanding to the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping when they heard the words of the law. 10 He said to them, “Go and eat delicacies and drink sweet drinks and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared. For this day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

11 Then the Levites quieted all the people saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy. Do not grieve.” 12 So all the people departed to eat and drink and to share their food with others and to enjoy tremendous joy, for they had gained insight in the matters that had been made known to them.