On the first day of the seventh month, on the feast of trumpets, the remnant in Judah gathered themselves as one man before the water gate to hear the Word of God. It is interesting to note, the people requested of Ezra that the book of the law of Moses be brought — the law which Jehovah had commanded Israel (Neh. 8:1). It is a good thing to feel the need for guidance from the Word of God. A hungry soul can be fed; one that feels no hunger rejects food. Job could say: “I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12).
The congregation consisted of both men and women, young and old — all who were of an age of understanding — and they listened attentively (Neh. 8:3). There was a reverence afforded the Word of God; when Ezra read, the people stood up. The bride laments in the Song of Songs, “By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not” (Song of Sol. 3:1-3). We will not find the communion with God that we seek when we are at ease or pleasing ourselves; attentiveness requires energy and focus. The modern trend of doing everything while plugged into an electronic device does not enhance concentration — and when it comes to the things of God, this could be downright disrespectful.
Ezra was not alone in the reading. Thirteen of his brethren stood with him: six on his right and seven on his left. We also find another 13 individuals mentioned by name, along with the Levites, who caused the people to understand the law (Neh. 8:7). And so it is in the assembly today. God has given gifts to the church of God, “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). He has given us pastors and teachers — those who will shepherd and instruct the saints of God. This is not the work of one man nor of those trained in a seminary, but it should be according to the gift that God has given. Although we may feel the lack of gift, we can still read ministry and glean those handfuls of purpose left by others, and thereby feed the flock of God — surely this is something that an aspiring shepherd can and will do.
“They read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading” (Neh. 8:8). It is important to present the Scriptures in a way that is orderly and clear. Timothy received “an outline of sound words” from the Apostle Paul (2 Tim. 1:13). Luke wrote an orderly account of events to Theophilus (Luke 1:3).