Nehemiah 8:1-12, Recover by God’s word

Nehemiah 8:1-12, Recover by God’s word

1-12,
1.All the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. 2.So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3.He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. 4.Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam. 5.Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6.Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 7.The Levites -- Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah -- instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 8.They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read. 9.Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 10.Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." 11.The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve." 12.Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

  The crumbling city of Jerusalem was rebuilt. An external recovery was made. However, it was not an inward (spiritual) recovery. What should we do? We should be restored by the Word. The Puritans from Europe were immigrants to the Americas. Those who moved to North America were God and faith first. They got everything. But those who moved to South America went in search of gold. They got no gold, no faith. Matthew 6:33, But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
What is the way to restore the Word?

1. Yearn for the word of God (1,2, Matt. 4:4, Am. 8:11,12, 1 Pet.2:2, Ps.119:131).
  They wanted to listen the word first, asking Ezra the scribe (1). They yearned and listened (2). There was a longing for the word. They stood for six hours and listened him. Long ago some teachers asked me to teach the Bible. It was beautiful to learn hard and live a mature life. What we live is possible by the word of God. Let us yearn and long for the milk of the Word like little babies (1 Pet. 2:2, Ps.119:131). 
*Am. 8:11,12, 11."The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine through the land -- not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. 12.Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.
 *Mt. 4:4, Jesus answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
 *1 Pet. 2:2, Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
 *Ps. 119:131, I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.

2. Fear the Word (with awe) (verse 6).
 They feared the word of God that Ezra read. They stood up before the word (with awe). He raised his hand and answered with Amen (accepting the word) and worshipped God with their face on the ground (true worship). They were afraid of the Word, accepted it well, worshipped God and lived before Him. Ex.) Chinese underground church people who were in awe of the Word. How much are we in awe of the Bible (God's Word)? 

3. Obey the Word and be restored (7-9, 2 Kings 22, Luke 24).
  In verses 7-9, The Levians helped them by their side to realize the word. They realized the word well and wept. They repented in obedience to the Word and was spiritually restored. Verse 12, they shared in obedience to the Word and had great joy. Even if the world begins with joy, it is ended with vanity and sorrow. Ex.) Korean golf meeting. But there is eternal true joy in the Word. 1 Pet. 1:24, "... All glory is like a flower of grass.. In Jesus, the Word of Eternal Life, I pray to be a blessed saint who lives, "Rejoice always, pray unceasingly  and give thanks in all circumstances." Amen.