Religious instruction.
"And when the seventh month came," etc. To the well-being of a people the labours of the religious teacher are as necessary as those of the statesman. Nehemiah having provided for the safety of the Jews against their enemies, Ezra, the priest and scribe, steps forward to instruct them in the law of God. Of the manner in which he did this, and the reception his instructions met with, we have a specimen in this narrative.
I. The TIME of the meeting. "The first day of the seventh month" (verse 2), the commencement of the civil year, the feast of trumpets. It was also the anniversary of the restoration of the altar (Ezra 3:1-3), and as such would be regarded with special interest. And it was the first day of the month which abounded in religious solemnities.
II. The PLACE. The open space before the water gate (verse 1).
III. The CONGREGATION.
1. Of whom it consisted. "All the people"… "men and women, and all that could hear with understanding" (verses 1, 2). Parents brought those of their children who could understand.
2. Their unanimity. "As one man" (verse 1).
3. Their eagerness to learn. "They spake unto Ezra," etc.
IV. The READING AND EXPLANATION OF THE LAW. By Ezra and a number of Levites who assisted him (verse 7). Ezra probably read the Hebrew text, and the Levites translated where necessary, and expounded, each perhaps to a different group. These exercises were—
1. Commenced with worship (verse 6).
2. Conducted with great care. From an elevated platform (verse 4). The reading distinct, the exposition intelligible and painstaking (verse 8).
3. Long-continued (verse 3).
V. The BEHAVIOUR OF THE PEOPLE.
1. Reverent (verses 5, 6). "All the people stood up … bowed their heads," etc.
2. Attentive (verse 3).
3. Persistent. For some six hours they all kept their places (verse 7).
VI. The EFFECTS produced upon them.
1. Sorrow (verse 9). So Josiah rent his clothes when the law was read to him (2 Kings 22:11). The precepts of the law, so greatly in contrast with the conduct of the nation; its promises, of blessings once largely enjoyed, but forfeited by sin; its threatenings, the fulfilment of which the hearers so painfully experienced, would all tend to produce grief. "All the people wept," and the proper character of the festival seemed likely to be marred. But the instructions and exhortations of Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites prevailed to assuage their sorrow, and induce them to celebrate the festival in accordance with its design. Thus the sorrow was turned into—
2. Joy (verse 12). Which they indulged not simply because of the exhortations to joy addressed to them, but "because they had understood the words that were declared unto them," i.e. the words of the law. For such a statement would hardly be made of the addresses referred to in verses 9-11, since there was no difficulty in understanding these. The fact that such teaching of the law was once more enjoyed by them filled their hearts with thankfulness; and although much which they had heard excited their sorrow, there was much also to awaken gladness. The law itself, and the whole history of their fathers, showed that their God was gracious and forgiving; and the promises interspersed among the precepts and threatenings (such, for instance, as those referred to in Nehemiah 1:8, Nehemiah 1:9) would encourage their hopes.
Lessons:—
1. The worth and power of the word of God, as the ever-enduring spring of new religious life. All true and solid reformation and revival arise from the earnest republication of its truths.
2. The necessity and value of enlightened and zealous teachers of the word. Such as aim to give the people a right understanding of it, and thus to quicken them to godliness and holiness. Without good teachers, the book, even when possessed, remains comparatively a dead letter.
3. The obligation and importance of public assemblies for instruction and worship. All ought to attend them, and bring such of their children as can "hear with understanding," in however small a measure.
4. The conditions of obtaining benefit at such meetings. Desire to learn, reverence, attention, surrender of the heart to the power of the truth.
5. The mingled and conflicting emotions awakened by Divine truth. Sorrow and joy. Place of each in the Christian life. Special suitableness and worth of religious joy. "The joy of the Lord is your strength."