Year 2, Week 28, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 28, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Nehemiah 7-8.

Today’s reading continues the Book of Nehemiah. While we moved on from the Book of Ezra, we have not moved on from Ezra. Ezra will emerge again in today’s reading, therefore showing that there is a close connection between the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The opening scene of Nehemiah took place in Susa and occurred in around 445 BC, or about fifteen years after the closing scene of the Book of Ezra. Nehemiah was committed to repair the wall around Jerusalem and the first part of the Book of Nehemiah records how the wall was rebuilt. Nehemiah 7, which parallels with Ezra 2, each lists a census of the returnees: “Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it…The whole assembly together was 42,360, besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337. And they had 245 singers, male and female. Their horses were 736, their mules 245, their camels 435, and their donkeys 6,720” (Nehemiah 7:6,66-69). There are multiple facts to account for the differences between the census or Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7, but these two numberings serve as bookends to frame Ezra 1-Nehemiah 7 as a single record. Nehemiah 8 reintroduces us to Ezra, who leads the people to renew their relationship with the LORD: “And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded Israel” (Nehemiah 8:1).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was centrality of the Word in the renewal of the people: “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” (Nehemiah 8:2). The first day of the seventh month would have been a special holy day of rest for Israel: “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work, and you shall present a food offering to the LORD” (Leviticus 23:24-25). This would have been the month in which the Day of Atonement was observed. The emphasis upon recovering an understanding of the Law would have been a necessary aspect of a true recovery of the worship of God. Ezra was sent to do exactly what he was doing—teach the Law: “Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven….And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God. And those who do not know them, you shall teach” (Ezra 7:12,25). The recovery of worship and the renewal of the people to live covenantally was at stake.

With the people gathering, Ezra began by reading the Word: “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 8:3). Not only did Ezra carefully read for hours, the people attentively listened. Further details concerning Ezra’s public reading are added: “And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground” (Nehemiah 8:5-6). Their attentive listening is linked to their heartfelt worshipping as the Word was read. Hands were lifted to perhaps reflect a heart of yearning while heads were bowed to reflect a heart of submission. Ezra reflects joy and gladness as he reads.

In addition to reading the Word, faithful explanations were made: “Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading” (Nehemiah 8:7-8). Thirteen Levites are listed, who provide practical understanding to the people from the Word that was read to them. The careful listening to the Word coupled with the assistance in understanding the Word, would give rise to the people’s renewal before the LORD. A common charge against the LORD’s people is that they would not listen; but that charge would not be leveled on this day.

It is noted that Nehemiah was present as this renewal was unfolding: “And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God” (Nehemiah 8:9a). As Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Levites are leading in the renewal of God’s people, they redirect the people in reconsidering how they should be thinking and feeling about this special day: “do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” 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 8:9b-12). Even though their hearts were broken over their sin and disobedience, since they were turning back to the LORD through the Word, the people were being directed to celebrate the renewal that was unfolding in their midst. While their sin was grievous, repentance from sin should turn to joy. Despondency was to give way to rejoicing. Grieving was to give way to celebration. It was a good day.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe