Main Point
Believers should seek to know and understand the Bible in a real and practical way. Because the Word is living and active, it applies to life today and is necessary for Christ followers to know how to live in a way that pleases God.
"1 ... all the people gathered together at the square in front of the Water Gate. They asked the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses that the Lord had given Israel.
2 On the first day of the seventh month, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding. 3 While he was facing the square in front of the Water Gate, he read out of it from daybreak until noon before the men, the women, and those who could understand. All the people listened attentively to the book of the law."Nehemiah 8:1-3 CSB
Get in the Word (Nehemiah 8:1-3)
God does not force us to seek Him or listen to Him. The choice is always ours. The people had the same choice, and they made the decision to gather and listen to God’s Word
How is it possible to stand in an assembly and listen to Scripture being read for that long? Maybe they were so grateful to be able to participate in their festivals and traditions after having their home destroyed. Maybe they recognized how desperate they had been for God to bring them back to their beloved home. Whatever the reason, we can learn from their practice.
"4 The scribe Ezra stood on a high wooden platform made for this purpose. Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah stood beside him on his right; to his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 Ezra opened the book in full view of all the people, since he was elevated above everyone. As he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and with their hands uplifted all the people said, “Amen, Amen! ” Then they knelt low and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground."
Nehemiah 8:4-6 CSB
Receive the Word (Nehemiah 8:4-6)
Just as the people prepared to hear the Word, there are things we can do to prepare ourselves to receive the Word most effectively. Think about what distracts you from hearing and listening to the Word to help you see what ways you can prepare to receive it more effectively.
The most valuable preparation we can make is internal. To be most prepared to receive the Word, we must consider our hearts and minds: choosing to focus our thoughts on the Lord; being open to change that we may need to experience; having humility to know we need help; and asking God to speak.
We should evaluate whether we treat Scripture with the reverence and honor it deserves.
"7 Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah, who were Levites, explained the law to the people as they stood in their places. 8 They read out of the book of the law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was read."
Nehemiah 8:7-8 CSB
Understand the Word (Nehemiah 8:7-8)
God’s Word is given to us so that we may be transformed into the likeness of Christ one day at a time.
It is okay to need help with discerning Scripture and learning what the Word means. The Holy Spirit uses other people who are spiritually mature and discerning to enable us to know the meaning of what we hear and study.
Here are four simple questions everyone can use in reading Scripture to understand and apply it: What does this passage say about God? What does this passage say about people? What does this passage say about relating to God and others? What does this passage want me to think or believe?