April 6 2025 // Nehemiah 8
APPLICATION: Read & watch/listen to Nehemiah 8
Nehemiah 8
A Gathering of People vs. 1-8
A Correction of Purpose vs. 9-12
A Realization of Omitted Worship
In 1859, Charles Darwin, in order to explain occurrences in the natural world, published the theory known to us today as “Evolution” (with a capital E). His naturalist philosophy somehow mutated into “indisputable” scientific fact over time. The basic theory has become so attractive to modern relativists that it has served as the model for explaining everything from economics to history to religion.
Those who advocate understanding Christianity through the lens of evolution are not just secularists, however. More and more seminaries and departments of theological study are adopting the notion that Christianity, like other religious faiths, is a fluid set of beliefs devised to bring meaning to the world yet constantly under revision by cultural pressures and necessities.
In explaining the “rise of Christianity,” Dr. Gregory J. Riley of Claremont School of Theology believes that Christianity is just another phase in mankind’s attempt to explain the world. He understands it as part of the flux and flow of human invention. Consequently, in order to legitimize their new religion, the early Christians cleverly used Jewish texts to meld the new with the old. In addition, they had to explain Jesus’ ignominious death. So they turned, Riley believes, to the earlier Greek heroic tradition; this “helped Christians understand the cross” (Riley, p. 226). For Riley, heresy “was simply a perfectly workable and defensible viewpoint that did not get enough votes in the councils to carry the day” (Riley, p. 237). For such “theologians,” there is no room for divine revelation and truth.
This one opinion among a throng of such voices underscores the necessity of believers to dig deeply into the texts of Scripture. Do not neglect its study. Meditate on what it says. We must listen intently, depending on God’s Holy Spirit to enlighten and reveal his truth. We must approach the Scriptures with the expectation of discovery and the intent of obedience. Like those who gathered to hear Ezra read the law, we must permit God’s truth to penetrate to the heart so that “the joy of the Lord” (Neh. 8:10) is our strength.[1]
Digging Deeper:
A. Foundations; Inspiration - The words of the Bible were “out breathed” by God: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). Second Peter 1:20–21 reminds us that God’s heralds did not invent their messages; they were “carried along,” or inspired, by the Holy Spirit. Inspiration means that God directed the writers so that there was no error. In order to communicate with humankind, God’s ideas had to be translated into words. While the various writers show distinctive styles and approaches in their writing, the author is God.
B. Revelation - God has shown the truth. We could not have come up with this on our own. The nature of man leads him to suppress the truth (Rom. 1:18) that “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). We could not have fitted together the prophecies or designed something so wondrous as grace. It takes revelation.
C. Authority - The result of inspiration and revelation is that the Bible has authority for all of life. As one famous confession puts it, “It is the only rule of faith and practice.” Unfortunately, many people, while finding it an interesting book, will not accept its authority. Jesus was thoroughly committed to the authority of Scripture. He obeyed it in his every move. And he is our example.
Questions to Consider:
Prayer Time:
[1] Knute Larson and Kathy Dahlen, Holman Old Testament Commentary - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, ed. Max Anders (Broadman & Holman Publishers., 2005), 222.
Nehemiah 8
A Gathering of People vs. 1-8
- The people participated – vs. 1-3
- The place was prepared – vs . 4
- The Law was preached – vs. 3; 5
- God was praised – vs. 6-8
A Correction of Purpose vs. 9-12
- A day of conviction?
- A day of celebration?
- A day of comprehension
A Realization of Omitted Worship
- A forgotten command vs. 14-15
- A restoration of devotion vs. 16-17
- A celebration of God’s provision vs. 17-18
Life Application:
In 1859, Charles Darwin, in order to explain occurrences in the natural world, published the theory known to us today as “Evolution” (with a capital E). His naturalist philosophy somehow mutated into “indisputable” scientific fact over time. The basic theory has become so attractive to modern relativists that it has served as the model for explaining everything from economics to history to religion.
Those who advocate understanding Christianity through the lens of evolution are not just secularists, however. More and more seminaries and departments of theological study are adopting the notion that Christianity, like other religious faiths, is a fluid set of beliefs devised to bring meaning to the world yet constantly under revision by cultural pressures and necessities.
In explaining the “rise of Christianity,” Dr. Gregory J. Riley of Claremont School of Theology believes that Christianity is just another phase in mankind’s attempt to explain the world. He understands it as part of the flux and flow of human invention. Consequently, in order to legitimize their new religion, the early Christians cleverly used Jewish texts to meld the new with the old. In addition, they had to explain Jesus’ ignominious death. So they turned, Riley believes, to the earlier Greek heroic tradition; this “helped Christians understand the cross” (Riley, p. 226). For Riley, heresy “was simply a perfectly workable and defensible viewpoint that did not get enough votes in the councils to carry the day” (Riley, p. 237). For such “theologians,” there is no room for divine revelation and truth.
This one opinion among a throng of such voices underscores the necessity of believers to dig deeply into the texts of Scripture. Do not neglect its study. Meditate on what it says. We must listen intently, depending on God’s Holy Spirit to enlighten and reveal his truth. We must approach the Scriptures with the expectation of discovery and the intent of obedience. Like those who gathered to hear Ezra read the law, we must permit God’s truth to penetrate to the heart so that “the joy of the Lord” (Neh. 8:10) is our strength.[1]
Digging Deeper:
A. Foundations; Inspiration - The words of the Bible were “out breathed” by God: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). Second Peter 1:20–21 reminds us that God’s heralds did not invent their messages; they were “carried along,” or inspired, by the Holy Spirit. Inspiration means that God directed the writers so that there was no error. In order to communicate with humankind, God’s ideas had to be translated into words. While the various writers show distinctive styles and approaches in their writing, the author is God.
B. Revelation - God has shown the truth. We could not have come up with this on our own. The nature of man leads him to suppress the truth (Rom. 1:18) that “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). We could not have fitted together the prophecies or designed something so wondrous as grace. It takes revelation.
Christianity and Judaism are based on revelation: God meets Moses and bestows the law. God comes down in the person of Christ and reveals salvation and hope.
Revelation is the unveiling of that which is hidden. It is God pulling aside the curtain, sweeping away the clutter, opening the door of understanding and truth. His clearest revelations are in creation, Scripture, and Christ.
C. Authority - The result of inspiration and revelation is that the Bible has authority for all of life. As one famous confession puts it, “It is the only rule of faith and practice.” Unfortunately, many people, while finding it an interesting book, will not accept its authority. Jesus was thoroughly committed to the authority of Scripture. He obeyed it in his every move. And he is our example.
Questions to Consider:
- Psalm 19:7–13 describes the power of God’s revelation. Discuss the implication of each phrase and whether these verses are true in your life.
- Historically, Israel vacillated between repentance, obedience, and empty ritual. Is it possible to escape this cycle? If so, what can you do as an individual, and what can the church do, to avoid shallow conformity to ritual and tradition?
- Communion is often a solemn time for reflecting on sin’s high cost to God and Jesus Christ. Can we introduce to our communion services Ezra’s attitude of joy for God’s grace? Can the church capture a sense of celebration? Is this appropriate? If so, how could it be expressed?
Prayer Time:
[1] Knute Larson and Kathy Dahlen, Holman Old Testament Commentary - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, ed. Max Anders (Broadman & Holman Publishers., 2005), 222.