Nehemiah 8
Nehemiah 8
In this chapter we see God’s people truly responding to the Holy Spirit.
This is the first time we read about Ezra in the book of Nehemiah! The people have asked him to read the Law of God to them, because they know he has studied it and was both a scribe and priest. He had already set his heart to study, practice, and teach it (Ezra 7:10).
Before Scripture is read, the people gather together to hear it. Even before this, they had built a platform so as many people as possible could hear it. Then they listen to Ezra read the Law of God for at least six hours! People who can be attentive and standing for that long are people that are following the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
I see three immediate results of the work of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit in this passage: the practical preparation for the hearing of the Word of God, attentive listening to it being read to them, and the response of prayer and worship. Once they understood even more, they wept as they heard it. 2 Timothy 3:16 states, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” Teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness is exactly what is occurring here.
The people felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit as the Law was being read to them, and they repented and obeyed.
The Holy Spirit is at work throughout our lives as believers in our initial desires to hear and learn and our response to it. How are you allowing the Holy Spirit to lead your life? Have you been neglecting His prompting?
By: Kaitlin White
In this chapter we see God’s people truly responding to the Holy Spirit.
This is the first time we read about Ezra in the book of Nehemiah! The people have asked him to read the Law of God to them, because they know he has studied it and was both a scribe and priest. He had already set his heart to study, practice, and teach it (Ezra 7:10).
Before Scripture is read, the people gather together to hear it. Even before this, they had built a platform so as many people as possible could hear it. Then they listen to Ezra read the Law of God for at least six hours! People who can be attentive and standing for that long are people that are following the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
I see three immediate results of the work of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit in this passage: the practical preparation for the hearing of the Word of God, attentive listening to it being read to them, and the response of prayer and worship. Once they understood even more, they wept as they heard it. 2 Timothy 3:16 states, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” Teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness is exactly what is occurring here.
The people felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit as the Law was being read to them, and they repented and obeyed.
The Holy Spirit is at work throughout our lives as believers in our initial desires to hear and learn and our response to it. How are you allowing the Holy Spirit to lead your life? Have you been neglecting His prompting?
By: Kaitlin White
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