Right Teaching, Hearing and Living

This morning I was reading from the Book of Nehemiah, where the Book of the Law was found and read to the people for the first time since they were carried into exile in Babylon.  They had spent over 70 years in exile, so the people who went back to Jerusalem were likely the children of those that had been captured.  They had likley done their best to pass the laws down to the their children, but these passages describe what is likely the first time they actually heard it themselves.  Here are the verses from Nehemiah 8:5-12 NIV:

[5] "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. [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.

[9] 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.

[10] Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

[11] The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”

[12] 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."

I love the reaction of the people, for their hearts were clearly moved as they heard the words of the Law!  They wept as they heard the words, and I am assuming it was for joy and sorrow at the same time.  They were hearing clearly the word proclaimed and they could see what they had remembered, what they had somewhat remembered and discovered those things they forgot, or misunderstood.  Clarity is such a beautiful thing, when the Lord brings it!

I also love how the Levites, didn't just read the words, but they explained to the people what the words meant, so that they could understand fully! 

Oh, that the word of the Lord would be proclaimed to all the people, and they would hear and understand fully, and that their hearts would be stirred!  Come Holy Spirit and inspire Your Church!  Move in our hearts!  Stir us to right teaching, right hearing and right living!

Amen!