Scripture

“Ezra 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.” Nehemiah 8:5

Reflections

What kinds of things can you expect to happen when God’s word is spoken in the presence of God’s gathered people?

There are not many stories within the Bible that tell what happens when a community comes together to hear the written word proclaimed and interpreted.  Nehemiah gives us a rare glimpse.

When Ezra read from it, the people stood up as an act of respect for God’s word.  The people blessed the Lord, lifting up their hands.  They fell to the ground in profound humility, knowing that God alone can lift them up and help them to stand.  God’s word was interpreted for them to understand.  They wept because it convicted them.  But God’s word also revealed the source of their hope, the God who keeps his promises.

The same is true of us when we gather to hear God’s word.  We stand as an act of respect for it.  We bless the Lord, lifting up hands.  We fall to the ground in deep humility, knowing that only God can lift us up and help us stand.  God’s word is interpreted.  We are convicted.  We are also consoled by the hope that can only be found in God.

God’s word is sacred and powerful.  It does no good sitting on a shelf.  We do well to open the book.  We do well to open our lives to it.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for the gift of your word.  Help me to gladly hear and learn from it.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10