The walls of Jerusalem have been rebuilt; now it's time to rebuild the people of God within those walls. Foundational to that rebuilding was the teaching of God's Word, in particular its focus on the grace of God in their becoming his people and their history as such. And so the people listened together to the reading of the book of the law of God, given to Moses.
It is very clear from what we saw last time that the people were very serious in their attitude towards God and to his Word. There was a move of God among them, causing the people to ask for his Word to be read.
In this passage, we see something of the impact that God's Word made on them as they listened to it being taught. And we need to remember that they sat and learnt together. God was addressing them, not simply as individuals, but as his gathered people.
1. Humbled & Convicted of Sin
The first reaction of the people to hearing God's Word is to break down and weep. As the word was read, explained and applied, they were humbled and convicted of their sin.
There would be much in what they had heard to convict them. How they were to love the Lord and cleave to him; how they were to keep free from idols; how they should love each other and keep themselves pure. And, perhaps most powerfully of all, the emphasis on the amazing grace of God and his utter faithfulness in the face of his people's sin and failure.
To humble and convict of sin is an intrinsic part of the ministry of God's Word and Spirit. But we must remember that the Lord wounds in order to bring healing, that he humbles us in order that he might then raise us in his time.
Although the experience of humbling is not a pleasant one, it is necessary and ultimately a blessing. The psalmist discovered this in his dealings with the Lord. As he reflected on God's Word in Ps.119, he speaks of being afflicted by the Lord but for his good:
"Before I was afflicted, I went astray but now I obey your word...It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees...I know O Lord that your laws are righteous and in your righteousness you have afflicted me." (vv.67,71,75).
When the Lord humbles us through his word, it is for our good and our restoration and rebuilding as his people. At times, we need to be humbled over personal sin; at other times, we need to be addressed as a church and brought low before God. But always his purpose is to restore and then use us for his glory's sake (cf. Peter & also David in Ps. 51:12.13).
2. The Primacy of Joy
To be humbled and convicted is part of the Christian life. But it is interesting to see that Nehemiah and the Levites are quick to quieten the people and to turn them from weeping to joy. Why is that?
The reason given to the people is that "This day is sacred to the LORD" . The regulations that the Lord had given his people, which had just been read to them, specified this day as a day for a sacred assembly, with trumpets sounded (Lev. 23:24; Num. 29:1). A sacred day was a day on which they would specifically recall what God had done in grace and power for his people.
Yes, there was a place in their experience, as in ours, for humbling and repentance. But there is a bigger picture to bear in mind, of God and his purposes of grace. To be convicted of sin is a vital part of Christian experience but the dominant note is to be rejoicing in God and in what he has done.
Grief over sin is never to be an end in itself but is to lead to renewed joy in God and service to him. That is what is being conveyed to the people here. In the weakness of their sorrow over sin, in the frailties of their flesh, they are to know that "the joy of the LORD is [their] strength" (v.10).
The people are being brought back to the centrality of God and his gracious purposes towards them. And in the light of that, they are urged to go home and to enjoy the bounty of the promised land, as a tangible expression of those purposes toward them (v.10).
Shouldn't we do the same? Aren't we called to enjoy the Lord and his salvation and the blessings we have in him? It is surely a travesty when we live our lives in a low state, constantly going over our sin and failure but never making it to the larger picture of the restoring grace of God.
God's Word made a great impact on these people. It brought them to tears of repentance but it also lifted them into the joy of the Lord's salvation. Nehemiah and the Levites explained how this was to be a sacred day, applying God's Word to them.
And "all the people went away...to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them" (v.12). Such is the value of learning God's Word together.
3. Sharing the Fruits of Salvation
But notice too how Nehemiah emphasises here their duty toward each other. They are to go away and feast in response to God and his glory and grace. But they are not to neglect the needs of others.
It would be almost criminal for some of the people to be excluded from this visible celebration of God's mercy due to lack of food and provisions.
One man has said, "There can be no conscientious exultation in the plenty of God's world while brothers and sisters go needy". This was clearly felt by the churches in the NT who sent gifts to Jerusalem when they heard there was suffering there among the Lord's people.
It has application to our own response to the need among the Lord's people in the world, not simply for material provision but for trained Bible teachers and pastors for the churches.
In so many ways, we are challenged about whether we will personally enjoy the blessings of salvation and ignore others or whether we will be ready to share God's good gifts with others, as we are able. That is clearly something for every church to consider but each church can only do so as its members respond personally.
What I mean is that the church does not generate funds by itself. It is only as we give that the church will have resources to share with others. If we're truly glorying in the Lord and enjoying his salvation then we will surely want to look for ways in which others will be able to share along with us.
Conclusion
They were humbled under God's hand as his Word was read and taught and they were led to great joy and celebration as they understood that word and its wider context of God's grace and purposes. Its impact on them was considerable.
But did it lead to thoroughgoing obedience? That is the true test of whether we have really heard God's Word. James tells us we're deceived if we hear the word and then do nothing about it. The answer of vv.13-18, which we'll look at in detail next time, is 'Yes, they did'. There lies the challenge for us this morning.
