Setting – The people gathered and for the reading of the Law of Moses
Content – Ezra presented the scroll from where the Law of Moses was written (v. 2 NLT) “So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the scroll of the law before the assembly” and read it aloud to everyone (v. 3 NLT) “from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand” Then the Levites read from the Law and instructed the people of its meaning (v. 8, 9 NLT) “They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage”, “Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people” The people were weeping, but Ezra and the priest were instructing them to rejoice, (v. 9b, 10-11) “Don't weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the LORD your God." All the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the law.”, “Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength! And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, "Hush! Don't weep! For this is a sacred day.”
They discovered that they were to build shelters to live in during the Feast of Booths (v. 14 NLT) “they discovered that the LORD had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should live in shelters during the festival to be held that month” So the people collected branches and lived in shelters (v. 17 NLT) “So everyone who had returned from captivity lived in these shelters for the seven days of the festival” Ezra read from the book everyday during the festival (v. 18 NLT) “Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God on each of the seven days of the festival”
Application – The people were convicted once the Law of Moses was read. It was a long time since Israel celebrated this festival (v. 17b) “The Israelites had not celebrated this way since the days of Joshua son of Nun.”
It’s easy to forget God if we don’t spend time in His word. Things in life quickly distract us from what we should be celebrating. Even though reading God’s word shouldn’t be a chore, in reality all of us seem to find other priorities. We need to establish a routine for reading His word. Once in it, we are convicted, redirected, encouraged, exhorted, etc. and not until we are in God’s do we realize how much we miss it.
Content – Ezra presented the scroll from where the Law of Moses was written (v. 2 NLT) “So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the scroll of the law before the assembly” and read it aloud to everyone (v. 3 NLT) “from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand” Then the Levites read from the Law and instructed the people of its meaning (v. 8, 9 NLT) “They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage”, “Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people” The people were weeping, but Ezra and the priest were instructing them to rejoice, (v. 9b, 10-11) “Don't weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the LORD your God." All the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the law.”, “Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength! And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, "Hush! Don't weep! For this is a sacred day.”
They discovered that they were to build shelters to live in during the Feast of Booths (v. 14 NLT) “they discovered that the LORD had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should live in shelters during the festival to be held that month” So the people collected branches and lived in shelters (v. 17 NLT) “So everyone who had returned from captivity lived in these shelters for the seven days of the festival” Ezra read from the book everyday during the festival (v. 18 NLT) “Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God on each of the seven days of the festival”
Application – The people were convicted once the Law of Moses was read. It was a long time since Israel celebrated this festival (v. 17b) “The Israelites had not celebrated this way since the days of Joshua son of Nun.”
It’s easy to forget God if we don’t spend time in His word. Things in life quickly distract us from what we should be celebrating. Even though reading God’s word shouldn’t be a chore, in reality all of us seem to find other priorities. We need to establish a routine for reading His word. Once in it, we are convicted, redirected, encouraged, exhorted, etc. and not until we are in God’s do we realize how much we miss it.
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