Pastor Chris Enoch - March 5, 2017
Scriptures:
Nehemiah 7:73-8:12
When the seventh month came and the
Israelites had settled in their towns, 1 all the people assembled 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.
So on the first day of the seventh
month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of
men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from
daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence
of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened
attentively to the Book of the Law.
Ezra the scribe 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.
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. 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.
The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah,
Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and
Pelaiah— instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there.
They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the
meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the
priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them
all, “This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all
the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice
food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This
day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your
strength.”
The Levites calmed all the people,
saying, “Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve.”
Then
all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to
celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been
made known to them.
Deuteronomy 6:5
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
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