Nehemiah 8:8-12

https://youtu.be/maxLHLidgi8?si=rxqB3Sfc2axUyYUg 

Nehemiah 8:8-12

“So they read distinctly from The Book, The Law of GOD; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. 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.”

Two things come to mind from this passage: 

First, it is the leader’s responsibility to teach the people what GOD’s Word says and means. It says in verse 8 that they read distinctly from The Book.

They did not pick and choose portions of The Scriptures, they read the context of The Scriptures. Plus they explained what The Scriptures meant to the people for their daily lives. They did not leave the people having to figure out what the Law was saying and how they should live their life.

It says in verse 3 that Ezra read from first light to mid-day, about 6 hours and the people stood and listened and verses 4-7 says that the leaders taught the meaning of The Scriptures to the people.

In verse 6 the worship was short and humble!

Second the Word of GOD causes us to repent of our sin and to love our brothers and brings us joy no matter our situation.

Verse 9 says the people wept when they heard The Words of The Law; they were convicted of their sin when they heard The Law and the priests taught them repentance so that they could live in joy not despair because of The Law.

Verse 12 says they continued the day in joyful fellowship with one another.

Oswald Chambers said of this passage; “Whether or not you are exhausted will depend upon where you get your supplies. Be exhausted for GOD, but remember that your supply comes from Him.”

Study the whole chapter: verses 1-3 is what happened; verses 4-7 is how it happened and verses 8-12 is the result.

Remember today we have Salvation through JESUS CHRIST, we have The SPIRIT of GOD living in us and we have the complete Word of GOD. Why can we not spend one day a week in worship of GOD, the study of His Word and fellowship with one another? Or at least one day a month? We rush through everything in 2 hours or less, why? We have multiple services so they are short, why not have a day long service where worship, teaching, ministry and fellowship just keep happening? Why do we have multiple services happening via video at several locations, did the pastor not disciple and raise up pastors for the other locations? It is not church planting if you control everything from your base and do not release those you have discipled to do what GOD has called them to do!