Hearing God’s Word, Praying, and Praising Are Spiritually Beneficial

Nehemiah 8:1-8, NKJV

After about seventy years of Babylonian captivity, God opened the way for the Israelite exiles return to their homeland in Jerusalem. This passage begins with “all the people gathered together as one man” (v.1). How awesome it was that the congregation was unified! God expects no less than oneness from His children. They have gathered in this great open square in front of the Water Gate to hear Ezra read and teach the word of God as requested. They made this request of Ezra because it was his duty as the priest to teach them the word. These people recognized their need for God’s word. His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Thirteen ministers stood on a pulpit made for this purpose, helping Ezra minister God’s Word. The congregation stood up and listened attentively for six hours to hear “the book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel.” Yes, that’s right; they stood and listened attentively from daybreak to noon.

 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. The “Biblical Cyclopedic Index” of The Open Bible (NKJV) says the Hebrew word translated bless means “to kneel” or literally “to bless”. This indicates an act of adoration sometimes on bended knee in worship. Ezra’s prayer of blessing demonstrated his reverence and praise for God. Rather or not we are on our knees, we are to honor the Lord for He is worthy of more honor than we can ever bestow on Him. As children of God, we are to “bless the Lord at all times.” After Ezra blessed, or praised the Lord, the people responded, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground (v.6). The people stood in their place as the Levites read distinctly from the Law of God, helping translate the word of God into language the people could understand (vv. 7-8).  

Let us be mindful of our attitude when we come to worship service. Is our attitude the right attitude? Are we focused on God, desiring to hear His word? That’s the attitude we should have, and if not, then let’s check ourselves.