Global Church of the Nazarene DAY 28 OF 40 - Better Together Through Prayer And The Word

Global Church of the Nazarene DAY 28 OF 40 - Better Together Through Prayer And The Word

Nehemiah 8:1-4

1 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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that 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.

DAY 28 – LISTENING TO GOD’S WORD

While the wall was being built, another platform was built also. It is over by the Water Gate on the east side of the Jerusalem. It is near the main well. Ezra, the priest and scribe, is asked to bring the Torah (the Book of the Law of Moses which the Lord had given to Israel)…

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 8:1 All the people gathered themselves together as one man into the wide place that was in front of the water gate; and they spoke to Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Yahweh had commanded to Israel. 2 Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 He read therein before the wide place that was in front of the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 4 Ezra the scribe stood on a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

After the Israelites had all settled back in their towns, they met together 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 had commanded for Israel.

Ezra brings out the Book of the Law of Moses and stands on the platform that had been built. He reads the Word to them…the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. ALL the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

I wonder how long it had been since they had heard the priest read the Book of the Law to them. For many of them it was their first time. Their years in exile would not have provided an experience like this. The older generation of Israelites was passing on “reading of God’s Word” onto their children and grandchildren. Train up a child in the way he should go…

LIFE APPLICATION: “A Family Altar will Alter a Family”

What are you doing to train up a child/grandchild in the way he/she should go? Do you have Bible verses strategically placed around your home? Do you have a time of prayer and Bible reading with your family consistently? Do you watch for “special moments” where you can teach about your Savior through music, movies, toys, games, etc? Are you faithful to worship together as a family?

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