Ezra, Interpreter of God’s Law

NEHEMIAH 8:1-6, 8, 10, 18

BOTH Ezra and Nehemiah served the people of Israel during those trying years when they were endeavoring to re-establish themselves in Palestine following their seventy years’ captivity in Babylon. Their services centered particularly around the activities at Jerusalem—the rebuilding of the temple and walls of the city. The narrative of today’s lesson pertains to an experience subsequent to the completion of this work of reconstruction, and has to do with the work of rebuilding the worship of Jehovah, Israel’s God, by enlightening the people concerning his laws.

According to Deuteronomy 31:9-12 the priests were required to read the Law to “all the people” once every seven years, at the beginning of the feast of tabernacles, or booths. It was apparently in keeping with this that the great assembly of our lesson was arranged. Probably this requirement of the Law had not been observed since the nation was taken into captivity, and now to have it renewed made this a momentous occasion. For the majority, it may have been their first observance, and also their first opportunity to become acquainted with the Law of their God.

The place of gathering is called in our lesson a “street,” but in reality it was a large open space, or plaza, near the water gate. Preparation had been made for the occasion in that a high platform—called in the Common Version a “pulpit”—had been erected, and it was on this platform that Ezra and his assistants (who were Levites) stood to read the Law.

Evidently the occasion was opened with prayer, for we read that when Ezra opened the book all the people stood up and he “blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen.” In so doing they lifted up their hands and “bowed their heads, and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”

The first session of this great convocation lasted for at least five hours, but we are not to understand that the people remained standing all that time. It is reasonable to conclude that they stood only while the actual words of the Law were being read, and that they sat while Ezra’s assistants mingled with them to answer questions and help them to a clear understanding of what the Law meant. This is shown by verse 8, where we read that the teachers “gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”

There is an important lesson here for us. God has given us his inspired Word, the Bible, but it would be unwise to say that the Bible is all we need. As shown in Ephesians 4:11-13, the Lord has also provided teachers and helpers to assist the church in its understanding of his Word, thus enabling us to grow up into Christ. The Lord has placed each member in the body of Christ according to his will, and we are richly blessed if we recognize this and work together as best we can.

This was a happy day for the Israelites who were fortunate enough to be present to hear the reading of the Law, but the instructions of verse 10 indicate that they should not forget those who were not so well provided for, that portions were to be sent to them from their own bounties. They were to rejoice themselves and also make it possible for others to rejoice with them. None were to feel “sorry.” And because their rejoicing stemmed from the fact of the Lord’s returning favor to them, the “joy of the Lord” would be their strength.

In the experience of these returned captives, their joy in the Lord was dependent not only upon the fact that he was blessing them, but also upon their willingness to share their blessings with others. This has been the experience of God’s people in every age. Today we can truly rejoice that the Lord has blessed his people with an understanding of his Word, but that rejoicing will be short-lived if we endeavor to hide the truth in our own hearts and not share these sweets of divine favor with others. And our joy in the Lord will be great indeed if our sharing of the truth is at the cost of self-sacrifice, for the returns in joy and peace in the Lord will be great in proportion to what the proclamation of the message costs us.

Israel’s feast of tabernacles lasted for seven days, and verse 10 informs us that the Law was read on each one of these days. On the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, or as the marginal translation suggests, a restrained assembly. Apparently there was no feasting on the eighth day, and perhaps also the people exercised a measure of restraint in the matter of expressing their joy in the Lord. It was a day when they could meditate upon the lessons learned and let the meaning sink deeply into their minds and hearts. Thus did Ezra bring the people of Israel back to the Law of their God.

QUESTIONS

What was the occasion for the assembly of Israelites as recorded in this lesson?

Is it possible for the Lord’s people to understand his Word apart from other guidance and help?

What is the basis upon which the “joy of the Lord” may be the portion of his people?

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