Ten thousands of Israelites had returned
from slavery in Babylon, and now gathered together as one man in the square in
front of the Water gate. ( v1 ) They longed to hear the truths of God’s Word,’
as they told Ezra the scribe to being the book of the law of Moses, which the
Lord had commanded Israel.’ God waited to bless and enrich them with this incentive,
The bible recorded the date- the first day
of the second month- so significant was the occasion, as Ezra the priest
brought the Book before the community. While Revivals have eternal value, they
are strategic in time. Men and women
and all who could hear with understanding formed the congregation. God chose that male and female should hear
His Word, and children of an age to understand the eternal truth. Families must
hear and obey the unchanging truth of the Word. God must enrich our family life.
An
amazing scene greeted Ezra ‘as he read from the word in the open square from
morning ( 6 a.m. ) until midday ( 12 noon ). (v 3) The ‘ears of all the people
were attentive to the Book of the Law.’ Australia’s sporting arena , the MCG,
Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1957 attracted 137,500 to hear Dr Billy Graham on
that sunday afternoon. 2 hours singing
and reading of the Scriptures by the Governor of Victoria preceded the
preaching of God’s word. It was
overwhelming and unforgettable, for we were just home from Indonesia. Contrast with Ezra, who devoted the entire
morning to the fervent study of the Word. ‘The ears of all the
people were attentive to the Book of the Law.’ Our churches need to recapture
that passionate devotion to His holy word.
Ezra was supported by a group of bible
teachers, as he stood on a wooden platform. The bible displays some unusual
features. Why wood? Noah’s ark was made of gopher. The ark of
the covenant of acacia wood. Moses’
staff was wooden. God’s Son worked with
wood as a carpenter. He is the Tree of l.ife. I have stood at Wheaton college
Museum, examining the wooden podium that Billy Graham used in many of his
preaching campaigns. Ezra used an old-fashioned wooden lectern. The annual rings, showing growth during good
seasons, and narrow during drought, reminded Ezra that the things of time are
fashioned by the eternal God.
Their names were important. In order, the English meaning of the Hebrew is
The gift of Jehovah; Near; Jehovah has answered; Jehovah is my light; my
portion is Jehovah; the work of Jehovah; these were on Ezra’s right hand. While
on the other side of Ezra stood Jehovah has ransomed; Who is what God is; My
king is Jehovah; Enriched; Considerate Judge; Jehovah remembers; Friend or
allied. As babies, these were named by
God-fearing parents, directed by the Lord to name them so significantly. A bible dictionary helps to find the meaning
of Bible names, and rewards you for the effort
Spiritual
leaders must be supported by noble elders; nationally or in the local group.
The people jumped to their feet when Ezra
read the Scriptures. ( v5) In Slavic
and Lutheran services the entire congregation stands when you begin to read the
Word of God. They respect His Word. The state of our heart is more important
than our posture.
‘Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. ’Then
all the people answered, lifting up their hands.’ They bowed their heads and
worshipped with their faces to the ground.’ With voices, hands, heads and faces
they devoted themselves to God’s word. How deeply do we express our oneness with our God?
Ezra had another group of men to ‘help the
people understand the Law, while the people stood in their place.’ (v7) These
were schooled in the things of the written Word. Their English equivalents for their names reveals truth: He is saved; Built; Jehovah has scorched (
burned up ); Right hand , which alone is acceptable for greeting in many
nations; Insidious ( is this a warning or was he a Judas?); Sabbatical; My
majesty is Jehovah; The work of Jehovah; Crippled ( Did he have a spiritual
need?) ; Jehovah has helped; Jehovah has endowed; He is merciful; Jehovah does
wonders. How long had Ezra trained
these men to give understanding of the long-forgotten truth?
Their spiritual, hunger was satisfied when
‘they read distinctly from the book in the law of God, and they gave the sense,
and helped them to understand the reading. ( v8) All Bible teachers should aim to do this.
They mourned for the forgotten truths and
wept for joy at their re-discovery. (v9)
The
Governor, Nehemiah, intervened with Ezra and the Levites, urging them not to
sorrow at the unusual events, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God, for all
the people wept when they heard the words of the Law.‘
The governor decreed, ‘Go your way, eat
the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions for them for whom nothing is
prepared.’ This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ The last statement has sustained God’s
people in difficult moments. He urged
unselfishness, as he advised a missionary concern ‘to send portions to them for
whom nothing is prepared.’ With this revival, they provided for the
underprivileged and poor. The godly
life is balanced.
Count Zinzendorf, the saintly, Moravian
Prince, opened his estate for refugees, fugitives for the gospel sake. He commenced
a prayer meeting that continued unbrokenly for 100 yrs out of the spiritual
revival that blessed his ministry. From
this resurgence, Moravian missionaries
went to the ends of the earth as tent-making missionaries, following their
calling or craft. Some sold themselves as slaves to be a true witness to their
owners of His saving grace. Sustained
prayer leads to a spiritual awakening, culminating in a revival, with Christ
preeminent and an out-pouring compassion for the lost. ‘Send portions for whom nothing is prepared.’
You may devote regular hours for prayer sacrificially;
certainly the most fruitful expenditure of time. One morning weekly, before my busy medical duties began, I met
for prayer and Bible study with a group of earnest men. Over years, God touched
many lives and nations through those men.
The Lord may call you to set up trust
funds from your successful business interests to sustain devoted, but poorer
servants of God in other nations. Two such men supported special bible teachers
in undeveloped countries. He may summon you to serve overseas as a missionary
or a tent-maker, using your profession or skill. Your home may become a Bethel
for weary, burnt-out servants of the Lord Jesus. They will bless the Lord for your tender, considerate
understanding.
In reading the word, they discovered, ‘
The Lord commanded Moses that the children of Israel should dwell in booths on
the roof of their homes during the feast of the second month.’ (v14) They brought from the mountain branches of olive,
oil, myrtle, palm and leafy trees. The whole congregation, returned from exile,
did what had been forgotten for eleven hundred years since the days of
Joshua. There was very great gladness.’
‘Day by day, he read from the book of the Law of God.’ God’s Word restores balance in every area of
life, personal, family, business, worship, and national. We
must return to the authority of the eternal word. Much will fall into place.
Revive
your work in the midst of the years.
‘SEND PORTIONS
FOR THEM FOR WHOM NOTHING IS PREPARED.’