Ezra was priest and scribe. Nehemiah became governor. The LORD used them both individually and together to lead the people of Judah back to His ways and to restore Jerusalem. It is fun to watch as the LORD brings all the right “chess pieces” into the right place at the right time to accomplish His will. The books of Nehemiah and Ezra are great examples of this as a whole. We see examples of the LORD guiding individual leaders among His people, prompting the people at large to take action, and even using Persian kings.
The people who returned from exile had to re-learn a lot about Yahweh’s instructions. The temple had been destroyed. They had been in exile for generations in a pagan land. When they came together to read the law given to Moses, they treated it with great respect and were truly grieved as they heard it, recognizing how they had not been living according to God’s ways. The law was explained to them. They worshipped Yahweh. It was a powerful moment in history for their reconciliation with Yahweh as His people.
They turned it into great celebration and helped one another by sharing food with those who had not prepared any.
Ezra Reads the Law
1And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel. 2Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. 3He read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 4Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam on his left hand. 5Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6Then Ezra blessed the LORD the great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 7Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place. 8They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.
“This Day Is Holy”
9Then 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; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law. 10Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 11So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12All the people went away to eat, to drink, to send portions and to celebrate a great festival, because they understood the words which had been made known to them.
This is a great example of a people returning to the LORD. They go back to the scriptures and teach and learn them together as a community. They are grieved for how they have been living, but then celebrate that now they are learning and understanding the law correctly. They are together as a community.
Our society, even Christians at large, very much need to turn away from relying on the teachings and customs of men and really dive back into the scriptures in detail and challenge ourselves to leave behind what is not of God and embrace what the word instructs us to do. There are many wrong teachings mingled in with the church today. It is very much like we are living in exile in a pagan land. Much common teaching among Christians has the ways of man mixed and mingled with the truth of God’s word.
Each of us as individuals likely needs to consider if we need to make a similar journey to really test our understanding and common teaching about God’s word. We need to turn away from the things that He does not want us to do and leave those behind. We should celebrate and embrace change as a return to His ways. We should try to do so with others.
I invite you to pray with me:
Father, please raise up leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah from among the spiritual leaders and government leaders that rule our land. Help rally Your people around them and around each other. Help us be hungry to challenge and test the teachings we have accepted as Yours against Your holy scriptures. Bring about unity in a community of believers seeking You wholeheartedly across our cities, states, and nation… across the world. Amen.
Shalom
Devotion by John in service to Christ
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