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2. "And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people" (v. 5). In all public worship the Word of God should have the prominent place. There can be no true worship apart from the Word. Every phase of the worship service should center in the Book of God. 3. "When he opened it, all the peo ple stood up" (v. 5). This act on the part of the people suggests the rev erence that always should be accord ed the Word of God when it is read. During the reading of the Bible is not the time to be ushering people to their seats, perusing the church bulletin, or changing the ventilation. When God speaks it is time to let other things wait. Let due honor attend the read ing of the Word from heaven! 4. "So they read . . . distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading" (v. 8). Every teacher ought to profit by the man ner of the ministry of the Word on this occasion. The Word merits clear, correct, and attractive reading. Fur thermore, it is the duty of the teacher to give the true interpretation of the passage at hand. This should be done in harmony with the context and other related Scripture. Only in this manner can there be a constructive ministry. 5. "They . . . read . . . one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped" (9:3). The Word results in cleansing. Paul speaks of "“the washing of water by the word” (Eph. 5:26). The Word answers to the laver in the tabernacle, at which the priests washed before they entered the holy place to minis ter and worship. There is no power so
tion what they had learned from His Book and “separated themselves from all strangers.” Previously, their fra ternizing with idol-worshiping neigh bors had been their great fault—a sin that had led to their being carried away as captives. They also “confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.” While they realized that their fathers had done evil in departing from God, they knew that they themselves also were sinful. Parents may be much to blame for the evil of their children, but chil dren must bear their own responsi bility. Finally the people “worshiped the Lord their God.” At last they were back and making a new start as re turned exiles, leaving an example for God’s people in all ages. Points and Problems 1. "The ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law" (Neh. 8:3). There is a twofold respon sibility when God’s Word is read and preached. First, the preacher is ves ted with solemn responsibility to read with care and expound with fidelity the Word; then, the people in the pew have an equal responsibility to pay attention to the Word. Jesus said with respect to His teaching, “Take heed therefore how ye hear” (Lk. 8:18). The word “ attentive” is not in the original of the present passage. But its omis sion causes the. statement to lose none of its force. Literally, the passage reads, “The ears of all the people were unto the book.” They allowed noth ing to interfere with their hearing of it.
And “from the morning until mid day,” “the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law” (vs. 2, 3). Ezra stood upon a pulpit, or tower of wood, where all the peo ple could see him as well as hear his exposition. When the book was opened “all the people stood up” (v. 5). They felt they were in the presence of holiness. They answered “Amen, Amen” when Ezra blessed the Lord, and “bowed their heads,” conscious of being in the presence of supreme authority. Well would it be for the church today if the people had the same sense of ap preciation of the Word of God when it is read. We do not 'worship the Bible, but it should be reverenced as being the only Book that contains the revelation of the person and work of our God, who alone is the object of worship. The attention to and reverence for the Book resulted in the people’s un derstanding of its message (v. 8). It was read “distinctly.” They were en gaged in no mere pointless religious ceremony, but the reading was in formative. They “ gave the sense” ; hence the people were caused “to un derstand the reading.” This is the proper manner in which the Bible should be read and expounded—giv ing information, illumination, and in spiration. II. 3 ack to G od ' s J oy (8:12) The Word convicted and condemned the people and "all . . . wept, when they heard the words of the law” (v. 9). This sorrow indicated their re pentance and their confession, which resulted in their receiving of the truth of the saying, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso eon- fesseth and forsaketh them shall find mercy” (Prov. 28:13). The Word of God is “profitable for teaching, for reproof,” and also for “ correction” (2 Tim. 3:16, R.V.). It does bring conviction; but when all of it is believed, there is joy in know ing that grace covers all the sin. The Lord invites, yea, commands that1 after the cross of Christ is envisioned by the sinner as his only means of help, “Thou shalt rejoice in thy feast” (Deut. 16:14, 15). III. B ack to G od ' s W orship (9:1-3) By understanding the words of the Book, the people came to repentance and then to joy, and at that time they were ready for true worship. In this they united with “ fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.” The procedure signified their sense of deep and proper humility in the pres ence of God. They did more than merely feel humble before God; they put into ac
Calling A ll Christians! to join in
A 20th CENTURY PROTESTANT REFORMATION Public Urged to Attend AmericanCouncil of ChristianChurchesRally of Southern California “CHRIST IX WAR and IX PEACE” HEAR AMERICA'S FOREMOST PROTESTANT LEADERS Dr. Merrill T. MacPherson, President, American Council of Christian Churches, Pastor, Church of the Open Door, Philadelphia, Pa. For merly of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. Dr. W. O. H. Garman, President, I. F. C. A., and Pastor, Callender Memorial Church, Wilkinsburg, Pa. Dr. Kenneth Kinney, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Johnson City, New York. at THE CHURCH OF THE OPEN DOOR, Sixth & Hope Sts., Los Angeles A P R I L 1 1 - 1 5 Nightly 7 :3 0 p.m. Saturday, luncheon and open forum, 1 p.m. at Clifton’s Broadway Cafeteria. Closing Session, Sunday, 2 :3 0 p.m . -
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