Seeds for 10/10/2024 - Nehemiah 8:4-6
Scripture:
4 Ezra the teacher of the Law 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.
5 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. 6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
Observation:
The people are gathered and ready for the Word of God. What happens next?
First, the scene is set with “Ezra the teacher of the Law” located on a wooden platform that is high enough to be visible so that “all the people could see him because he was standing above them.” Delivery of the Word was situated in a practical way, in order to aid the people in giving their attention to the Word.
Second, when Ezra opened the book, “the people all stood up.” Engaging the scriptures eliciting a physical response. Some churches invite congregants to stand in honor of the reading of God’s Word. I have to wonder if this incident is the origin of that tradition. Standing upon the opening of the Word continues the theme of the people giving their attention to the Word, expressing a desire and hunger to know what it says for them.
Third, opening the Word also prompts their praise. Ezra praises God. The people raise their hands in the air, crying out “Amen!” Scripture elicits praise and excitement.
Fourth, opening the Word leads to reverence and humble worship. They go from fully extended—standing up with hands lifted, to fully prostrate—bowing with faces to the ground. All of this “lost in wonder, love, and praise,” to quote the great Charles Wesley hymn (Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, verse 4)
Application:
When has the Bible inspired awe and worship for you? What stories, passages, or verses in particular?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, your Word is powerful. Give me a hunger heart and mind to receive your Word with joy and praise. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
If you liked this post from Seeds of Faith, why not share it and/or subscribe?
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™