They Read in the Book…and Gave the Sense - Neh. 8:8 (Part 1 of 2) by Carey Dillinger (dillinc@yahoo.com)
"So 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)
The return to Jerusalem from 70 years of Babylonian captivity occurred in three stages: 1)- Zerubbabel returns to build the temple, 2)- after a gap of 57 years Ezra returns to reform the people and 3)- 12 years later Nehemiah returns to rebuild the walls of the city. It was immediately following the reconstruction of the city walls that events of Nehemiah chapter eight took place.
Nehemiah brought great energy and courage to the building of the walls. The success of this project led to a dramatic change in the attitude of the people of Judah. Their self-respect had been recovered by their victory over their enemies; their awareness of God's presence had been stirred. Gathering together to celebrate and praise God, Nehemiah put forward Ezra the scribe "to bring out the Book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel" (8:1). All the people gathered to hear Ezra read and interpret the words. (Note: The interpretation was necessary because by this time the language of the people was Aramaic not the classical Hebrew of the Old Testament documents. Ezra had to read in the original, translate, and explain.) (The Teacher's Commentary by Larry Richards, pp. 307-08.)
Matthew Henry suggests that the activities of Neh. 8:1-8 are "an account of a solemn religious assembly, and the good work that was done in that assembly, to the honor of God and the edification of the church." (Commentary on the Whole Bible, v. 2, p. 844.)
Hear what Henry has to say about verse eight.
What they read, they expounded, showed the intent and meaning of it, and what use was to be made of it; they gave the sense in other words, that they might cause the people to understand the reading. Note: 1)- It is requisite that those who hear the word should understand it, else it is to them but an empty sound of words, Mt. 24:15. 2)- It is therefore required of those that are teachers by office that they explain the word and give the sense of it. Understandest thou what thou readest? and, Have you understood all these things? are good questions to be put to the hearers; but, How should we except someone guide us? is as proper a question for them to put to their teachers, Acts 8:30,31. Reading is good and preaching is good, but expounding brings the reading and the teaching together and thus makes the reading the more intelligible and the preaching more convincing. (Ibid, p. 845.)
Giving the sense is an awesome responsibility laid upon the shoulders of those that would teach and preach the word of God. The warning given by James in chapter three and verse one is a reminder that those of us that have chosen to teach are under a "stricter judgment."
With all of these thoughts in mind, coupled with Paul's admonition to young Timothy to "be diligent (study) to show yourself approved before God," how may a person read and study the Word so that they might convey their thoughts in a way that would "give the sense?" How can a person learn what the Bible teaches?
Check the Context
Real Estate agents say that there are only three important things to check out when looking for a piece of property: location, location and location! Something similar could be said as to the three most important aspects to successful Bible study: context, context, and context. If the passage you are reading is hard to understand, broaden you reading to the whole chapter. But, remember, the translators added the chapter divisions, so you may have to broaden your reading to include more than one chapter. You may have to read an entire book before you understand the meaning of any particular verse or passage. Here is where a topical Bible, Concordance, or chain reference Bible can come in handy. Use these tools to find similar or parallel passages and compare and contrast their contexts.
Ask Questions
The Ethiopian Nobleman knew he needed help, so he asked Philip to explain the scriptures to him. We know that the first century church circulated the letters of Paul so that more people could be exposed to his knowledge. Today we can pose questions to one another in person, via email and written correspondence. Most preachers allow some forum for questions concerning their sermons, as do Bible class teachers.
The Value Of Hard Work by Kenny Moorer (SKMoorer@aol.com)
"Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that
no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience"
(Hebrews 4:11).
As a college basketball coach, I've spent over 20 years screaming
at players to get back on defense, fill the lane quicker, box
your man out, move you feet, and a host of other rather loud "admonitions."
I always felt a strong desire to make sure my players worked harder
than the other team's players did. And yes, my coaches did the
same things to me many years ago. To a large degree, hard work
made up for lack of exceptional talent. Moreover, to this day,
I'd rather have five hard workers with a little less ability than
five very talented players who "coast" from time to
time.
Anything worthwhile in life done well requires hard work, even
in our spiritual life. Many adults today would say "teenagers
generally are pretty lazy people" and having worked with
teenagers for many years, I would tend to agree. (Probably this
comes from a lack of proper motivation from a worthwhile passion.)
But I must also tell you that I've seen some who "give it
all they've got." They are the ones I remember. They go the
extra mile, then a little more. They stay in the gym a little
longer, check that paper one last time just to make sure, and
get up a little earlier to look over the material before a test.
Their effort is usually seen in the results. They work harder
because they know hard work is the difference between mediocrity
and excellence. "Persis the beloved" was an outstanding
example of faithfulness to the apostle Paul, because he "has
worked hard in the Lord" (Rom 16:12).
The Hebrew writer states that, "God is a rewarder of those
who diligently seek Him" (11:6). Hard work is also critical
in one's spiritual life of faith. Teenagers who prepare their
Bible lessons, make positive comments in Bible class, engage older
Christians in spiritual conversations in order to learn, and look
for opportunities to serve others are working hard in faith and
love to grow spiritually. I know many teenagers who are doing
just that, and I'm proud of them! Those young people are not only
the church of tomorrow; they are the church of today. They are
teaching and converting their friends, encouraging the older folks,
teaching the children, and doing whatever they can to help people
spiritually. But they are not lazy! They inspire older people
to try harder.
Hard work is usually rewarded in this world. The spiritual realm offers the greatest reward of all! The Apostle Peter calls it "an inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Pet. 1:4). You want an eternal reward? My young friend, you must be spiritually motivated and work hard for your Lord.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT… (Selected from The Beacon)
More than two-fifths (43%) of first marriages end in either divorce or separation within 15 years, according to a study from the federal government. One in three first marriages dissolve within 10 years, and one in five, within five years.
The numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
are based on a 1995 federal study of 10,847 women ages 15-44 and
reflect probabilities of divorce for only that age group, which
encompasses child-bearing years.
The older a woman is at first marriage, the longer that marriage
is likely to last, the research says. "Tell a girl who is
a teenager planning to marry to wait until her 20s," he says.
About 59% of marriages for women under 18 ends in separation or
divorce within 15 years, compared with 36% of those married at
age 20 or older.
The report finds that the probability of divorce after 10 years
was 20% in 1973 and 33% in 1995.
-via USA Today, 5/24/2001
Matthew 19:4-6 "And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."
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34748.
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Monthly Bible Reading: Numbers
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BIBLE INSIGHT is published for the members
of, and visitors to, the Church of Christ at Beverly Shores, Leesburg,
Florida, USA.
Carey Dillinger is the editor. He can be reached at the church
address or via e-mail: dillinc@yahoo.com