Nehemiah 8 - Open The Word

With the wall finished, Nehemiah now sets about building a community of God’s people who worship God and celebrate His goodness.   The people gathered in the square at the water gate after the completion of the wall and asked Ezra the scribe to read from the Book of the Law of Moses.   Ezra had been waiting a long time for this moment –opening God’s Word in a restored city to a restored community. He read from dawn till noon.   The people worshipped the Lord, standing and bowing (vs 1-6).   The Levites explained the meaning so that the people could understand (vs 7-8).   The people broke down and wept as they heard the word read but Nehemiah and Ezra exhorted them to celebrate and be joyful (vs 9-16).   A profound change in their hearts occurred and revival broke out.  They not only understood the word but they encountered the God of the Word and responded accordingly.  As they did what the Law said, their joy was very great and they celebrated for 7 days (vs 17-18).