Nehemiah: God's Invitation to RebuildSample

Reverence of God’s Word

How much do you value the Word of God? In some parts of today's world, people risk their lives to obtain and study a copy. If people are caught with a Bible in China or North Korea, or Iran/Iraq, it doesn't go well for them.

The Israelites in today's passage had been without scrolls of God's Law during their recent 70 years’ exile in Babylon. And even though they were back in their land now, they couldn't exactly run out to their nearest Christian bookstore and buy a Bible!

Imagine the anticipation in the air when they all gathered to hear Ezra read it to them. Culturally, it’s significant to note, "men and women and all who were able to understand" gathered. God’s Word is for everyone. And Ezra read God’s Word aloud from daybreak until noon as they listened attentively.

Contrast the attention span of the Jewish audience in Nehemiah with our own today. Often we close the Bible or quit paying attention after just a few minutes. What’s more, look at the reverence they show. In Nehemiah 8:5 we read that when Ezra opened it, they all stood. We may stand for our alma mater or the national anthem, but do we demonstrate respect for the very thoughts and word of the Living God?

What a privilege it is to open up the Bible and hear from God. Our context, culture and attention span may be different, but God’s words move us now, and they moved in the days of Nehemiah, too. In fact, we’re told God's Word so convicted those gathered in Jerusalem that they wept. But Nehemiah told them they should be celebrating the recognition of God's holiness rather than being upset. It's God's JOY that gives us strength.

Are you joyful? Then you are strong!

Prayer: God, thank you for your Word, and your words—those you spoke then, and the ones you still speak today!

Bonus Reading: 2 Timothy 3:16-17