REJOICING OVER THE WORD OF GOD!

REJOICING OVER THE WORD OF GOD!

So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. —Nehemiah 8:2-3

They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. —Nehemiah 8:8

And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them. —Nehemiah 8:12 

            How committed to hearing the Word of God?  When was the last time we spent hours— all morning— listening to and understanding God’s Word?  This is what happened in Eza’s day with all who could understand what they heard— both men and women.

            Not only did Ezra read the Word of God, but they gave the “sense” of what it meant so the people understood what was being read.  When it was time for the people to go “their way” eating and drinking, they also sent food and drink to others as well.  They made “great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.”  When was the last time you and I rejoiced after hearing and understanding God’s Word?  When did we last celebrate after hearing and understanding His Word?

Dear Father, may I hang on every Word You say.  May I be like Mary who sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to all that He said.  Yes, may I rejoice over Your Word by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  May it be so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5kKQGbI0PU