Message Notes

(I) THE RIGHT REGARD OF THE WORD OF GOD IN MINISTRY EXPRESSED

Being guided by the word of God

a) To read the law every seven years (Nehemiah 8:3) (cf. Deuteronomy 31:11)

b) To dwell in booths during the feast of the tabernacle (Nehemiah 8:13-14)
(cf. Leviticus 23:34)

Giving due honour to the word of God

a) Oneness in desire to hear the word (Nehemiah 8:1)

b) Attentive to the word (Nehemiah 8:3)

c) Honouring the word (Nehemiah 8:5)

Highest praise for the word of God (Nehemiah 8:6)

a) Ezra worshipped

b) The people worshipped the Lord with great humility and  awe

(II) THE RIGHT TEACHING OF GOD’S WORD EXEMPLIFIED

Quality teachers

a) Ezra

i) Skilled Scribe in the law ( 7:6)

ii) Expert in the words of the commandments of the Lord (Ezra 7:11)

iii) God-given wisdom

b) Others who could teach the law (Nehemiah 8:4, 7)

i) Priests

ii) Levites

Quality teaching – Exposition of the word of God

a) They read the word (Nehemiah 8:3, 8)

b) They translated the word (Nehemiah 8:8)

c) They expounded the word (Nehemiah 8:8)

d) They helped the people to understand the law (Nehemiah 8:8)

(III) THE RIGHT RESPONSE TO THE WORD OF GOD EXPLAINED

Correcting the wrong response of the people to the word of God

a) They mourned and wept (Nehemiah 8:9)

b) They sorrowed (Nehemiah 8:10)

Having the right response being taught from the word

a) To focusing on the Lord and His holiness (Nehemiah 8:10)

b) To Rejoicing in the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10) (Leviticus 23:40)

c) To Being Still (Nehemiah 8:11)

d) Remembering the poor (Nehemiah 8:10)

The results – Great joy

a) Joy and Renewal of Strength (Nehemiah 8:10)

b) Joy and Understanding the word of God (Nehemiah 8:12)

c) Joy and Keeping of the word of the law (Nehemiah 8:17-18)