Many years ago, while I was studying in school to prepare to
be a pastor, I came to this part of Nehemiah and was profoundly impacted by it.
For me, we have here the best definition of what preaching is to be. It’s found
in 8:8: “They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave
the sense, so that the people understood the reading.” How simple, yet
profound, is that idea. Ever since that time I have sought to follow that model
in preaching to God’s people week after week.
I do note that, though Ezra was doing the primary reading,
there were others there who also “helped the people to understand the Law”
(8:7). Preaching, in its fullest sense is not a one-man job. I am so grateful
for our other pastors and teachers in our church who also help folks to
understand the Word of God. Their role is vital in the teaching of God’s Word
to the church.
So pray for me and for our other pastors and teachers. Pray
that we will be faithful to the Word of God to read it and explain it so that
people can understand it. That really is all we are called to do. I think when
Paul gave his admonition to young pastor Timothy to “preach the Word; be ready
in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete
patience and teaching” (2 Tim 4:2), he was calling him to do exactly what Ezra
had done that day in the courtyard of the Water Gate. There is no higher
calling.
Prayer: Father, thank you that you have strengthened me to
teach your Word all these many years. Thank you that you have given me a place
to do that. That you that you have given faithful people who want to hear the
Word proclaimed. Help us all to be faithful to your Word and may your Word bear
fruit in us and among us. Help us to be doers of the Word and not hearers only.
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