Reformation and the Word of God (Nehemiah reflection #4)
It’s an incredible chapter. You’ll need to read the first and second and third devotional to catch up to where we are. But by chapter 8, the walls have been completed 4 or 5 days and the people gather to celebrate. What would be at the centre of the celebrations? A cake? A speech? No…the scribe Ezra brings the book of the law of Moses before ‘the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding’ (v2, 3). And then two things take place:
Firstly, the law is read.
From what appears to basically be a raised pulpit (v.4) we’re told that Ezra ‘read out of [the law of Moses] from daybreak until noon’. And the response of the people? ‘All the people listened attentively to the book of the law’ (v. 3). And ‘Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and with their hands uplifted all the people said “Amen, Amen!” Then they knelt low and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.’ (v. 6)
Secondly, the law is explained.
The Levites who were with Ezra the priest then explained the law to the people. ‘They read aloud out of the book of the law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was read.’ (v. 8) The response of the people this time is… weeping. Perhaps the law had been convicting them of sin and rebellion? But the leaders basically say, ‘hold that sentiment [they’ll return to this soon - chapter 9] for today we’re gathered to celebrate, not mourn’. So, they said: ‘Be still, since today is holy. Don’t grieve. Then all the people began to eat and drink… and have a great celebration, because they had understood the words that were explained to them.’ (v 11-12).
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At TBT one of our commitments is to what is called expository preaching: the Word that is read is exposed (hence ‘expository’) or laid open for people to see as it is explained further. That last part perhaps dealing with how the parts fit together, and importantly what it means. At its core is a conviction that the Word of God is to rule the lives of God’s people, as shown in our gatherings. And that as the Scriptures are opened to be read and preached, we can expect God to work and be active in the power of his Spirit. I think that is what is happening in Nehemiah 8. And it is a helpful model for us.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not interested in someone getting up front and simply sharing their own thoughts and opinions – no matter how clever they may seem. Give me food for my soul. Give me God’s Scriptures – read and expounded. And don’t pretend to be ‘Word-based’ where the Scriptures are read but then the minister goes off with a verbal chasing of rabbits down various rabbit holes. No, what my soul needs, as a follow on from the Scriptures read, is to be marinated in God’s Word. For those words read to be expounded and explained in the context of the verses around them - chapter, book, the Bible as a whole. And with God’s help to have those words of life applied to the lives of those listening – relying on the Spirit to work through his words.
That is one of the primary ways God works, through his Word. And it brings reformation. A re-forming of our souls and lives, as Jesus-following individuals and as Jesus-shaped communities. Actually, one of my reflections off the back of Nehemiah 8 was to pray for those two simple steps (reading, and explaining of God’s Word) to be central to my life and the lives of the saints around me. Won’t you join me in praying that on our campuses, and in our local churches, that there would be this commitment to the reading and teaching of God’s Word? God’s Spirit works primarily through God’s Word.
Now, in closing, if you’re looking for the surest sign of faithful reading and preaching of God’s Word in our day and age, it’s this: that Jesus will be made much of! Not pastor or apostle so and so. Not some fancy means or methods or miracles. No, what will be central, and in focus, will be Christ. After all, as I am reading in the morning devotions at the moment, Jesus’ own opinion is that the Scriptures are all about him (Luke 24:27, 44). So even what is happening in Nehemiah, the ultimate yes to God’s promises being worked out, are secured in the Son. And so, preaching of God’s Word that makes much of Jesus will cut with the divine grain of the Scriptures! And that will be how the Lord builds his house.
