Nehemiah chapter 8: verses 7-9 (NIV)
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 understood what was being read. Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy 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 chapter 8: verse 12 (NIV)
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.
The thing that struck me here was that it was not enough for the people to hear the words from the Book of the Law. It was important that they understood what it meant. Thus, the importance of the need for Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites to be able to teach clearly cannot be underestimated. The fact that the people wept as they heard the words being read, suggests to me that it had touched their hearts. We too need to let the word touch our hearts and impact our lives. Those who are called to teach God’s word have a very important job, and I have been privileged to have been taught by anointed teachers in the ways if God.
The impact of the teaching of the people here can be seen in verse 12 where the people celebrated with joy because they had understood what they had been taught. Now they had no excuse not to live in the manner that God intended. We are fortunate to have easy access to God’s Word and many study guides to explain it to us, in addition to those who faithfully expound its teaching. It means however that we are without excuse and have a responsibility to put into practice what we have learned, and to pray for those who seek to make God’s word clear to us.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for all those You have called to teach and break down Your word to us. Keep my heart open and soft to respond to it as the people did here so that my life is impacted by it as You intend. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.