“All the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen,’ lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.” Nehemiah 8:1-8
The people gathered, eager to hear. Ezra read the Law to all who understood. His colleagues flanked him in support. The Levites helped those hungry to make sense of what they heard. All the people blessed the Lord in assent, joy, and humble worship. Attentiveness to God’s irresistible, powerful word evoked natural, unstoppable responses because that word never returns void. (Isaiah 55:10-11)
The word of God is that, a word that beckons, instructs, and necessarily calls for action. It is living, powerful, and effective to move mind, heart, and will. It exposes sin, convicts the conscience, and evokes surrender. It reminds, goads, inspires. How and where are we exposed to its enlightening, corrective, and redemptive light? (Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Timothy 3:16)
What part will I play in attentiveness to God’s word? When do I regularly study it, or take in another’s teaching? How do I respond to its revelations of my Sovereign, and my own heart? How readily do I heed His warnings, instructions, and invitations? How do I support church leaders and preachers by prayer, practical engagement, generosity, encouragement, and selfless obedience? (2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 13:17)
With whom am I rightly handling the word by wise instruction and thoughtful modeling, helping them understand its meaning and implement application? What new order, direction, and joy has exposure to God’s life-giving Word brought to my life, and how will I express that and advocate for it in others today? How has growing knowledge of God’s word enlarged my thanksgiving, enriched my praise, broadened my outreach? (Nehemiah 8:9-12,17-18; 9:2-6,17-21)
Lord, make all of me attentive to take in, understand, live out, and pass on Your Word, so You are known and magnified.
As the rain and snow 