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 teacher of the Law 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.
Nehemiah 8: 3-6 (NIV)
Ezra opened the book… 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.
Scripture
Listening
Praising
Worship
Lots of lessons here today, Lord.
Imagine listening to Your scripture, gleaning every word, with my entire attention. Listening with my whole heart, with the ears of my heart.
Ezra read from dawn till noon. These people intently paid attention and consumed Your message until You consumed them. I get antsy in church when the readings run more than five minutes or heaven forbid, the Pastor talks more than 15. No wonder I leave thirsty for more of You. I am nibbling at the great banquet and barely tasting Your goodness.
What else was happening in the minds of all those people, Lord? Ezra must have been a powerful speaker, but Your presence engulfed the crowds and elevated them into heaven. Listening to Your word releases my spirit to enter Your kingdom. Only with Your almighty word can our praise and worship break loose.
I love Your word, Lord.
I want to open the book, like Ezra and praise You with each mark on the page.
Sweep me away in Your spirit so my only response is worship with hands held high.
May AMEN pour from my depths of my soul.
Bowing down to my King, my face to the ground before You, may I sing about Your wonderful deeds, Your faithfulness and generous gifts.
Come Spirit of God – open Your word so I may see You.
Know You.
Serve You.
Love You.
May Your living word breathe life in me.
And my only word in response to Your holy word is Amen.
Nehemiah is a great book. Every time I visit it, I learn. I skim way too much – think the internet makes that worse – so am trying to slow down, and delve deeper this year. Thanks for commenting, Michelle
Nehemiah’s one of my favorite books! I liked your comment about “nibbling at the great banquet and barely tasting Your goodness. And my favorite…They consumed your message until YOU CONSUMED THEM! How often do I leave early, unwilling to spend the time waiting?? Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Hugs!
You are so welcome, and I am glad you have made new friends too!!!
Thanks Colleen, Can you imagine listening for that long to the Book of the Law? Something amazing must have been happening in their hearts. What a worship filled moment!
Lisa you are so right that God’s word slowly chewed on is the best nutrition for our spirit as our daily bread. I skim so often so one of my goals this year is to slow down and read more deeply. Thanks for commenting!
Isn’t that amazing how long they listen and to the book of law even. Something amazing really happen that day. I happened to be the reader last Sunday in Church and thought as I read this. I hope the way I read His word comes alive in the listeners. And of course our readings were short. LOL
AMEN!
HI Cindy, I thanked you on the other blog but see here tonight I didn’t thank you from this comment. I really do appreciate you adding my link to her site. I have made new friends there already. What a neat site!! May you have a wonderful week full of blessings
Yes, Barbie, I pray HIs holy spirit breaths life into all of us!
Beautiful reflection and a good reminder to take time the the Word. I get antsy too!
Wonderful encouragement Jean! I want to slow down and take the time to dissect and digest each word. God’s Word is to be our daily bread.
Many blessings my friend!
Dear Jean,
I found you last year when I was doing some research for “lectio divina” for my own personal spiritual growth..and I have loved your space! I am linking it with StudioJRU’s “small world” link up as a way of sharing what I have found with others…here is the link to her spot (she is an online friend and an (in)courage blogger/artist, is she sounds familiar): http://studiojru.com/2013/01/26/its-a-small-world-blog-hop/
Amen! Karen. Thanks for joining me in the chorus!
“May AMEN pour from my depths of my soul,” is wonderful! I agree, with everything instantly at our fingertips, sitting and listening for a bit is hard. But I want to. 🙂
Hi Jean
Yes, what can we say except AMEN!
Much love
Mia