“When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel. 2 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. 3 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. 4 Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion.”
” All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 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. 7 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. 8 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.” Nehemiah 7:73b,8:1-4a, 5b-8 NLT
God of righteousness,
Nehemiah tells us Ezra read from daybreak to noon (v3) and all the people stood to listen (v5) and then the Levites explained how the Law related to their lives and they were still stood! I may not have had the energy to lift my hands and say Amen and then bow down at the end! I would be looking for something to sit on. What a picture of respect for Your Word Nehemiah paints and Lord God I am glad I do not have to read all those Levite names out loud.
But we do love to listen to Your Word, Lord. Sometimes on a Sunday in church. Sometimes in our heads as we read it for ourselves. Sometimes I read and enjoy a chapter and sometimes just a couple of verses. When something catches my attention brings me to a full stop and then to read them again. I am amazed how the same scripture can speak to me differently at different times, come afresh or seem to jump off the page. When we read with You it becomes the living Word and it speaks to us. We cannot thank You enough for the Bible, those inspired by You to write it, those who enabled it to be printed and those who enabled it to be translated into in our language. God bless those who are still learning languages and translating Your Word into more languages today. And those that still carefully take Bibles into countries where they are hard to come by.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Saturday 11th October 2025
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path
When I feel afraid
Think I’ve lost my way
Still you’re there right beside me
And nothing will I fear
As long as you are near
Please be near me to the end
Chorus
I will not forget
Your love for me and yet
My heart forever is wandering
Jesus be my guide
And hold me to your side
I will love you to the end
Music interlude . . .
Nothing will I fear as long as you are near
Please be near me to the end
Chorus
And a light unto my path
You’re the light unto my path
Lyrics: Amy Lee Grant, Michael Whitaker Smith