When The Word Reads You

What pastor or evangelist has not preached from the first six chapters of Nehemiah using the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem to launch into the deep with the necessity of rebuilding life, character, church or society? But, when the last stone was put in place there followed a revival in the purest of terms. It is not true as stated in the movie, Field of Dreams, that "If you build it they will come". A building standing alone regardless of its architectural beauty will never bring men to Jesus. The empty churches and cathedrals of Europe are a testimony to this. Therefore, the Word must read the people.

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I. A Hunger for the Word (vv. 1-2)

Usually when all the members of a church show up at the same time it is either to welcome the new pastor or dismiss the old one. What would you be your reaction if all the members of your church showed up for worship? Someone would have to call 911. The people came together because they had a hunger to hear the word of God. This hunger was so intense they told the preacher, Ezra, to simply open the Book of the Law of Moses and read. No drama. No skits. No big screens. No power point. Just read God's word. How novel. What do your people hunger for?

II. A Hush in the Presence of the Word (vs. 3)

This took place in September 398 BC. The ancestors of these people had been lead into captivity 188 years earlier. A holy hush fell over the 49,942 former prisoners of war who had returned to the home land of their departed loved ones. The reconstruction of the wall was complete. Jerusalem had once again become the center of praise and promise for the Jewish people. This worship service started in the morning and concluded mid-afternoon. It was probably a nine hour service. However, the scriptures tell us, "and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law." A stillness, a silence and an air of expectancy filled the air. How would you like to preach to a congregation like that every Sunday?

No one was looking at their wrist sundials. No one left. No one was worried about beating the Baptists or Methodists to the nearest McMoses or David's Deli. According to verse two only those, "who could hear with understanding", were in attendance. So, apparently the first nursery and children's worship was begun that day. Perhaps those who had been left behind by king Nebuchadnezzar served as the children's workers. Either way, those present were in no hurray to leave. How refreshing it must be to attend a worship service where the only concern of those present is to hear a fresh word from the Word.

III. A Holding High of the Word (vv. 4-8)

There was another first that day. The first platform and pulpit was erected. Ezra stood above the people and when he opened the Book of the Law all the people stood up as an expression of reverence and respect. When we who are called to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ hold high the Word before a hungry people they will also respond. We are not called to be politically correct as some who embrace the hidden things of shame. We are called to be spiritually correct and renounce the hidden things of shame. When God's word is held high in our personal lives as well as our lives of proclamation, then we will witness the outpouring of God's spirit as it was that day.