Topic: Renewed Worship
Nehemiah 8:1 is remarkable! We read all the people gathered around Ezra and requested the Law of Moses be read and explained. They stood for hours eager to hear and learn what God required. There’s probably no greater evidence of the work of God’s grace within a community of faith than when the people long to hear and learn God’s Word.
Those gathering were not just men but also women, and all who could understand. Their hearts were captivated by the Word of God. The Law of Moses refers to the first five books of the Old Testament. Ezra was reading and explaining Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
The people’s response was not boredom but rather shouts of , “Amen! Amen!” (vs 6). The verbal shouts of excitement was accompanied with visual expression of joy by lifting up their hands and bowing low with their faces to the ground. Verse 6 indicates that this was a worshipful moment. Another visible act of worship is mentioned in verse 9 as Nehemiah is speaking to the people encouraging them to not mourn or weep. Mourning and weeping was due to a deep awareness of sin. Sin is what caused the destruction of their homeland. Chapter nine will continue the deep remorse and the steps need to give evidence of a repented heart before God.
The remaining part of chapter 8 is a call to celebrate the grace of God. For God has brought them back to rebuild and to live once again in obedient relationship with Him. There is a time for mourning sin and a time for celebrating God’s goodness.
Nehemiah 8:10, “Then he said to them, ‘Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’”
Worship is not a dull word, or a boring experience. Worship does call us to celebrate the holiness of God. God wants His people to enjoy the life He provides for them.
Just think, all this began with a hunger to hear and understand the Word of God. Once you dig into the Word, you will be surprised to discover the Holy Feasts are worship celebrations. Leviticus 23, the Feast of Booths was to be celebrated seven days, ending with an eighth day convocation. During these day, there was to be no work, but the people were to rejoice in God’s provisions.
Just think what Christmas would look like if no one celebrated it for 1,000 years. Then all the sudden someone reintroduced Christmas. The excitement would be out of this world. In Verse 17, that is exactly what had taken place with the Feast of Booths. It was forgotten and now being reintroduced. The celebration was true joy.
May we not forgot so that our worship will not be lost. May we allow the Word of God to renew our worship.
See you Sunday!
Dr. Scott Kallem