Effective Christian Living - Nehemiah
8 - Chapter 8
Nehemiah's faithfulness and courage had resulted in the restoration of Jerusalem. It was once a virtually uninhabitable waste. Now it was rebuilt and repopulated. The wall was now complete. The houses had been restored. The city was now well protected. The eighth chapter of Nehemiah that we are looking at now, records for us a high point in the life of the people of God. The theme of this chapter is spiritual renewal and revival.
God had visited His people in a special way. In the next few chapters Nehemiah isn't in the forefront of the story as much as he has been. He gives way to Ezra the scribe and priest. You will remember that there were three returns of the people of Israel to their homeland. The second was led by Ezra in 457 B.C. about 13 years before their return under Nehemiah. Verse 1 (of Chapter 8) says "All the people assembled as one man in the square before the water gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord commanded for Israel".
Nehemiah was a great worker for the Lord. Someone has referred to him as the "kingpin of the whole work". That is true. Yet here we see one of Nehemiah's main qualities. As well as that authoritative and firm part of his character there was also great humility. Nehemiah knew what his gifts were. He was a people motivator and a builder. Ezra was the preacher. Where had Ezra been during the fifty two days of the intense building programme? Some say he was elderly and unable to do any strenuous work. It is more likely that he was the prayer warrior behind the scenes seeking God's face for the success of the work. He was studying God's word in preparation for the great responsibility that lay before him now. The striking thing about Nehemiah was his willingness to take a back seat at this point and allow Ezra to fulfil the ministry that he was called by God to do.
We are not all called and equipped to do the same work. Some are more prominent in the work of the church. Some are less prominent. Each has his or her place in the purposes of God. Each is equipped by God for it. Paul says in Ephesians 4 verse 11, "It is he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers". He tells us in 1 Corinthians 12 verse 5, "There are different kinds of service but the same Lord". We must work together in the church with great humility. We must never be envious of another's position and gifts in the church.
In Romans 12 verse 3, we read, "For by the grace given me, I say to every one of you, do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you". God will visit a humble people. It is sad whenever the people of God have a spirit of proud competitiveness.
The people had requested the Ezra read the Word of God to them. Verse 3 tells us that, "All the people listened attentively to the book of the law". One of the main features of a true revival of religion is a return to the centrality of the scriptures. The people of God have a new appetite for God's word. Ezra and his fellow workers explained what the scripture said. Verse 8 says, "(They) instructed the people in the law - they read from the book of the law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read".
There are some events today that take place in the name of revival. There is plenty of excitement and noise, but the exposition of the word of God is sadly absent. The scriptures aren't taught and explained. As is often said, "In some so called revival meetings there is often more heat than light". Our commission is to preach the Gospel. Paul reminded Timothy of his responsibility. He said in 2 Timothy 4 verse 2, "Preach the word. Be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage, with great patience and careful instruction".
When the word of God is taught it affects the listener. Hebrews 4 verse 12 tells us, "The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges thoughts and attitudes of the heart". God's word penetrated the hearts of the Israelites. We read in verse 9, "for all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the law". God's word reminded them how far they had drifted from His perfect will. They saw their sin. The Spirit of God convicted them of their wandering astray. That is how God works. He takes His word and applies it to your heart. He exposes your neglect and how you have fallen short of His requirements.
They were also reminded of all that the Lord had done for them in restoring them to their land as He promised He would do. God doesn't expose your sin to torment you and to make you depressed. He does it so that you'll turn from your sin and renew fellowship with Him. The application of God's word to our hearts is designed to lead us into a deeper joy in our Saviour. Nehemiah and Ezra said in verse 9, "This is a day sacred to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep". In verse 10 Nehemiah said, "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength". When God's word strikes your soul His intention is to lead you into and even closer relationship with Him. He wants to deal with your sin and replace it with His joy. David said in Psalm 32 verse 1, "Blessed (or happy) is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered".
In times of genuine revival it isn't unusual to see men and women, and even children broken-hearted over their sin and rediscovering God in a richer experience of His love and grace. In verse 12 we're told that "The people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them".
After hearing God's word and experiencing its power, they obeyed God's word. We read in verse 14, "They found written in the law - that the Israelites were to live in booths during the feast of the seventh month". This reminded them of their wilderness wanderings after the exodus and of God's provision. This was now the second day of the seventh month. What did they do? Verse 17 tells us, "The whole company that had returned from exile built booths and lived in them---and their joy was very great".
The Bible tells us in James 1 verse 22, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says", and in verse 25, "He will be blessed in what he does". If you lack joy it could be that there is disobedience in your life. It needs to be attended to today. May you and your church experience God's reviving presence in these days. You will as you study and apply the truths we've looked at in Nehemiah chapter eight.