AND ALL THE
PEOPLE ANSWERED "AMEN"
Nehemiah 8:1-12
INTRODUCTION:
1. Nehemiah
8:1-12.
DISCUSSION:
I. The
Assembly (v1-2).
A. As
one man, indicating an atmosphere of unity. Re: I Corinthians 3:9; I
Corinthians 1:10-11; II Corinthians 13:11.
B. Wanted
Ezra to bring the book, indicating they had a desire to know the Word of God.
Re: Psalm 119:131; Matthew 5:6.
C. It
was a common gathering, consisting of men, women, and children (all that could
hear with understanding). Consider I Corinthians 11:17-20.
II. Their
attention (v3).
A. All
the people were attentive to the book of the law. Re: Proverbs 18:15.
B. Reading
the word of God will not benefit us unless we pay attention to what we read.
Re: Acts 17:11-12.
C. The
Bible can be understood. Consider Ephesians 3:1-4.
III. Their
attitude (v4-6).
A. The
people stood, indicating they had a reverence for the Word of God. See Psalm
33:8.
B. Ezra
blessed the Lord. "Blessed" here means thanked, praised, spoke well
of. Re: Psalm 119:12.
C. When
the word was read, the people answered "Amen" ("let it be
done" or "let it be true").
IV. Their
awareness (v7-9).
A. The
people had been convicted of their sins. They had neglected God’s
restrictions concerning marriage (Deuteronomy 7:1-6; Ezra 9-10; Nehemiah 13),
failed to keep the Sabbath (Nehemiah 13), forsaken God’s house (Nehemiah
10).
B. But
the word was also able to bring them joy. The joy of salvation, forgiveness,
protection, instruction, comfort, etc.
C. Their
awareness of their sins led to a change in their lives (v13-18).
CONCLUSION:
1. God
desires that we be receptive to his Word, we respect his word, and we obey his
word.
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