Nehemiah 8:8-10. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people. This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
It’s amazing, but the people asked for it. (Vs.1) Can you imagine that happening nowadays? Hn! But what a scene it must have been eh: Ezra, in the middle of the street before the water gate, above the masses, on a pulpit of wood, specially made for the occasion, reading from the Book of the Law of Moses, from morning until midday, ‘and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.’ (Vs.3) Wow! People tend to fall asleep now when the Word is read. At the same time, the Levites and others went amongst the crowd translating and explaining the words, since they were written in Hebrew and most of them only spoke Amharic. And remember, there was nothing to amplify Ezra’s words, so his voice had to be powerful enough for those around him to hear and others to pass it on to those outside of earshot. This celebration took place on the first day of the seventh month, after the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt under the governorship of Nehemiah, and many of the Jews had returned from exile in Babylon. Many of them born in Babylon, had never heard the laws God gave their forefathers, for most of the time restrictions had been placed on their faith, so they wept openly when they first heard them. Oh Friends, I wish we could react with such emotion when we hear the Word. Many of us show no emotion whatsoever when we hear it, but it’s supposed to stir us up, one way or the other, preferably with joy. Then, after the reading, Ezra told them to go and celebrate, ‘eat the fat and drink the sweet.’ But note, he also instructed them to ‘send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared.’ That meant the poor and the strangers, in keeping with Deuteronomy 26:11-13, where they were instructed to rejoice in every good thing that the Lord had given them, but after they had paid their tithes in the third year, they should also give of their increase ‘unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates and be filled.’ To mark the occasion, Ezra also declared, ‘For this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ Oh people what insight and wisdom! For it’s a fact that our strength comes from being joyful in the Lord. When we place our trust and faith in Him, we don’t have to worry about anything, that means we should be happy. Likewise, if we’re joyful, that means we’re positive and confident, and we don’t have to go around like wet fowls, looking sad and miserable. Friends, that’s the whole point of becoming a believer, so that we can live a renewed life of joy and privilege through the comforting words and Spirit of Jesus. If we’re true believers, we should have an air of joy and prosperity, cause that’s what we’re trying to sell the unbelievers. And you cannot sell something successfully unless you show enthusiasm for it. So let’s cut out the poor me one, hang dog, look nuh, and put on the bright, cheerful, enthusiastic air like we’re supposed to. Much LOVE!…our walk of faith must be clothed in an aura of… joy, peace, strength, confidence and LOVE…
It’s amazing, but the people asked for it. (Vs.1) Can you imagine that happening nowadays? Hn! But what a scene it must have been eh: Ezra, in the middle of the street before the water gate, above the masses, on a pulpit of wood, specially made for the occasion, reading from the Book of the Law of Moses, from morning until midday, ‘and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.’ (Vs.3) Wow! People tend to fall asleep now when the Word is read. At the same time, the Levites and others went amongst the crowd translating and explaining the words, since they were written in Hebrew and most of them only spoke Amharic. And remember, there was nothing to amplify Ezra’s words, so his voice had to be powerful enough for those around him to hear and others to pass it on to those outside of earshot. This celebration took place on the first day of the seventh month, after the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt under the governorship of Nehemiah, and many of the Jews had returned from exile in Babylon. Many of them born in Babylon, had never heard the laws God gave their forefathers, for most of the time restrictions had been placed on their faith, so they wept openly when they first heard them. Oh Friends, I wish we could react with such emotion when we hear the Word. Many of us show no emotion whatsoever when we hear it, but it’s supposed to stir us up, one way or the other, preferably with joy. Then, after the reading, Ezra told them to go and celebrate, ‘eat the fat and drink the sweet.’ But note, he also instructed them to ‘send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared.’ That meant the poor and the strangers, in keeping with Deuteronomy 26:11-13, where they were instructed to rejoice in every good thing that the Lord had given them, but after they had paid their tithes in the third year, they should also give of their increase ‘unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates and be filled.’ To mark the occasion, Ezra also declared, ‘For this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ Oh people what insight and wisdom! For it’s a fact that our strength comes from being joyful in the Lord. When we place our trust and faith in Him, we don’t have to worry about anything, that means we should be happy. Likewise, if we’re joyful, that means we’re positive and confident, and we don’t have to go around like wet fowls, looking sad and miserable. Friends, that’s the whole point of becoming a believer, so that we can live a renewed life of joy and privilege through the comforting words and Spirit of Jesus. If we’re true believers, we should have an air of joy and prosperity, cause that’s what we’re trying to sell the unbelievers. And you cannot sell something successfully unless you show enthusiasm for it. So let’s cut out the poor me one, hang dog, look nuh, and put on the bright, cheerful, enthusiastic air like we’re supposed to. Much LOVE!…our walk of faith must be clothed in an aura of… joy, peace, strength, confidence and LOVE…
SCRIP-BITS 