Issue 33 Preaching TodayBlog | Ezra and the power of the word
Ezra and the power of the word
Author: Andy PeckPost Date: 24.12.22
There are ten hours of sunshine a day in Jerusalem in October. Although the force of the summer sun has abated, the weather is still warm, the sun is still dazzling, and the possibility of a cooling, refreshing shower of rain is still some weeks away. It was on an October day in Jerusalem, long ago, that Ezra gathered the returned exiles together to hear the word of God. You can read the story in Nehemiah 8:1-12 – here’s an abbreviated version
All the people came together as one in the square. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.
‘On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
‘Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion… The Levites instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.’
