NEHEMIAH 7:73-8:18

A. Introduction

1. Nehemiah is a great book for us to be looking at together at our elder’s meeting.

It is a book about building a community of God’s people.

It is a book about God’s provision for His people as they wait for King Jesus to come.

It is a book that will be helpful for us as we plan for the next 10 years of Banstead Community Church.

2. At the end of the rebuilding of the walls of was complete.

The job was done.

The structure was in place.

But the work was not yet over.

God had put it on Nehemiah’s heart to repopulate the city.

We saw in Nehemiah 7, that this began with Nehemiah finding out what people he was starting with – who they were, how many there were, the gifting of the people, and their spiritual condition; and also what resources he was starting with.

To do that, Nehemiah took an up to date register of the people who had returned from .

3. Application.

Our current situation as a local church is similar to the situation in Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s day.

The structures are in place – we are a fully functioning local church.

We have meetings where we gather to worship God, to be taught God’s Word and to pray.

We have a united leadership to lead, to teach, to care for, to defend the flock, and to watch out for danger.

The structures are in place – and these will need to be maintained.

Yet the work is not over.

As we go forward into the next 10 years, like Nehemiah, our vision must be for growth, to make disciples of all nations, starting where we are here in Banstead before moving out to the surrounding communities and beyond.

To do this, we need to know who we are starting with, what resources we have currently to do this, and what we will need.

4. In we see that God’s means for building a community of His people and building up a community of His people is His Word.

Three things we see:

B. God’s Word must be read

1. The people wanted to hear God’s Word read so they told to bring out the book.

“When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, 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 has commanded for Israel.” (Nehemiah 7:73- 8:1)

They chose a location where all the people could be gathered to hear Ezra read God’s Word to them and all who were able to understand came to hear God’s Word read.

“So on the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.” (Nehemiah 8:2-3)

The people ensured that what Ezra read could be heard.

“Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam. Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.” (Nehemiah 8:4-6)

Ezra read God’s Word to the people.

2. Application.

We must prioritise the reading of God’s Word – it must be a key ingredient of the Sunday meeting.

“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture.” (1 Timothy 4:13)

C. God’s Word must be explained

1. The people needed to understand what God’s Word said, so it was explained to them.

The Levites explained the law to the people and helped them to understand what God’s Word meant.

“The Levites – Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah – instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 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.” (Nehemiah 8:7-8)

2. Application.

Not only must we ensure that God’s Word is read, we need to make sure that those who hear it, understand what it says.

“You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly from house to house.” (Acts 20:20)

This is why an essential qualification for being an elder is the “ability to teach”.

D. God’s Word must be obeyed

1. It is not enough for God’s Word to be read to the people and understood by the people – it needs to be heard and obeyed by the people.

“Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levities who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve.” Then all 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.” (Nehemiah 8:9- 12)

The response of the people demonstrates that they had heard and understood God’s Word.

They also discovered that the building of booths during the Feast of the Tabernacles had been neglected, so in obedience to God’s Word they resolved to correct this oversight.

“They found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in booths during the feast of the seventh month and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make booths” – as it is written. So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves booths on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim. The whole company that had returned from exile built booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great. Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the feast for seven days, and on the eight day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly.” (Nehemiah 8:14-18)

Notice who takes the lead in the hearing and obeying of God’s Word.

“On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levities, gathered round Ezra the scribe to give attention to the words of the Law.” (Nehemiah 8:13)

2. Application.

We don’t want this church to be made up of people who just listen to God’s Word and understand God’s Word – we want them to obey God’s Word.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25)

We need to pray that as God’s Word is read and explained, they would apply it to their lives.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

We cannot expect them to hear God’s Word if we ourselves are not listening to God’s Word.

“Keep watch over yourselves.” (Acts 20:28)

“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16)