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Reading of the Law

Text: Nehemiah 8
18 June 2006

(I) LESSONS OF HISTORY

1. Good Lessons

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward”    Psalm 19:7-11

a) In the golden age of David the king

b) Deep lessons learned personally

2. Bitter Lessons

a) In the days of Isaiah the prophet

“The ox knows its owner
And the donkey its master’s crib;
But Israel does not know
My people did not consider”    Isaiah 1:3

b) In the days of Jeremiah

“They have not heeded My words
Nor My law, but have rejected it”    Jeremiah 6:19

3. The Years of Exile

a) Pronouncement of Exile

“And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment,
And these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years” Jeremiah 25:11

“I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of years specified by the LORD through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolation of Jerusalem”    Daniel 9:2

b) A Ray of Hope

“Thus says the LORD to His anointed,
To Cyrus, whose right hand have held-
To subdue nations before him…”    Isaiah 45:1

c) Prophecy fulfilled

“A decree was issued by King Cyrus to build this house of God at Jerusalem…”    Ezra 5:17

(II) BITTER-SWEET EXPERIENCE

“And Ezra opened the Book in the sight of all the people…
And when he had opened it, all the people stood up.
And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God.
Then all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen!’ while lifting up their hands.
And they bowed their heads and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
So they read distinctly from the Book, in the law of God;
And they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.”    Nehemiah 8:5-6, 8

1. The Forgotten Scriptures

a) Neglect

b) Ignorance

2. The Reading of the ancient Sacred Writ

a) Chance of renewal

b) Hope and Joy

(III) APPRECIATION OF THE LEGACY OF THE SCRIPTURES

“Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.
I am a stranger in the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.
Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors”    Psalm 119:18, 19, 24

1. Prayer for understanding

2. Appreciation for the wisdom derived from the Scriptures