This month, believers in Jesus can participate in two special ways to show their solidarity with others around the world. The first two Sundays are International Days of Prayer for upholding those persecuted for their faith. And November 14 is designated the International Day of the Bible for us to celebrate Scripture publicly. Participants are asked to read any passage of the Bible at noon and to promote the Bible on social media using the hashtag #BibleCelebration.
With the walls rebuilt, and having settled down in safety, the Jews asked for “their own national day of the Bible” (Nehemiah 6:15-16, 7:73–8:1). “Assembled with a unified purpose,” they wanted to hear Scripture read. “From early morning until noon [Ezra the priest and scribe] read aloud to everyone who could understand” (Nehemiah 8:1-3).
The people honored the Scriptures. Everyone “listened closely to the Book of the Law.” And the moment Ezra “[opened] the book, they all rose to their feet” (Nehemiah 8:3,5).
This public Bible reading was also a “Bible conference” for the more than 40,000 people gathered in the city square (Nehemiah 7:66). The teachers “then instructed the people in the Law . . . and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage” (Nehemiah 8:7-8).
Riveted, “everyone remained in their places.” Convicted, the people repented, “weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.” Instead of sadness, Nehemiah called them to “go and celebrate,” to rejoice in their new beginnings (Nehemiah 8:7-10).
Repentance is definitely an appropriate response. But true engagement with Scripture ultimately leads to rejoicing “with great joy because [we hear] God’s words and [understand] them” (Nehemiah 8:12).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 17:1-15
More:
What does Psalm 119:9-16 say about the priority and necessity of Scripture for our lives?
Next:
Why is it significant that it was the people who asked for the Scriptures to be read and taught to them? How do you show your desire to read and hear God’s Word?
godlove on November 3, 2016 at 6:27 am
As I read the passage I was trying to imagine the scene, and I couldn’t help seeing similarities with a live performance entertainment event: a large crowd with people of all ages assembled to listen, almost like in a musical concert or sports event. But here it’s not a famous band playing their latest hits, instead they have gathered to “enjoy” the reading of the Word of God. I am particularly marked by the reverence of standing up to listen to the reading of Scripture, the weeping as they felt repentant after realising their sins, and the celebration as the people were joyful about having heard and understood God’s Word. All this makes me feel like I take the very easy access I have to God’s Word a little bit for granted. I feel like I don’t realise enough what a blessing it is to have the chance to meditate on Scripture (almost) everyday and to have access to it just about everywhere I go. The danger of easy access is that it can also lead to complacency with regards to Scripture. I pray that I never get complacent, neither with reading, nor with obeying the Word. Beautiful post today, thank you K.T. Blessed day to everyone.
godlove on November 3, 2016 at 6:39 am
Just to add (this verse just came to my mind), I also pray that I won’t ever be a victim of the warning in Amos 8: 11-12, “The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the Lord. People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from border to border searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.” May God save us from this!
gagirllive on November 3, 2016 at 7:52 am
Very sobering verse! Thank you for sharing, godlove.
sandy229 on November 3, 2016 at 3:10 pm
Yes, it is!
hsnpoor on November 3, 2016 at 8:59 pm
Indeed it is! Highlights the importance of the Psalm 119 scripture noted in the “More” box because, no doubt, the day of famine, spoken of by the prophet Amos, is on the horizon for our land, if the Lord tarries.
Gary Shultz on November 3, 2016 at 6:40 am
K.T. Thank you for bringing our attention to these special days this month. It is so refreshing to have this account of people walking toward God. Of course this is so amazing because all the people came to hear God’s word. Not for 20 minutes, but for hours; that is desire. Blended with that desire was the point that they heard and understood God’s word. What a blessing to be able to invest in the word with understanding. They had scribes and Levites explaining the word to them and there was conviction, then joy because they understood the word of God. What a blessing today that we have this great helper in the Spirit himself to guide us in understanding. With a bible and an open heart we can find great treasure and understanding. No wonder they were encouraged to celebrate, God’s word ever burns with love, wisdom, and instruction. Thanks K.T.
4everthankful on November 3, 2016 at 11:46 am
A long time ago I read a quote by Charles Spurgeon and it has resonated with me many times through the years.
“True Bible-readers and Bible-searchers never find it wearisome. They like it least who know it least, and they love it most who read it most. They find it newest who have known it longest, and they find the pasture to be the richest whose souls have been the longest fed upon it.” He was speaking of a missionary who was translating the Bible and he said that that enjoyed the hundredth time of reading it more than he did the first….it seemed to be fuller and fresher the more familiar he became with it.
sandy229 on November 3, 2016 at 1:16 pm
Amen Gary!
hsnpoor on November 3, 2016 at 9:05 pm
There is something about going through hardship, trials and tribulations that gives us a truly listening ear to hear the Word of God, a mind to understand what we hear and a heart attuned to the receiving and doing what God instructs us to do. Coming out of captivity, these people were ready and ripe to hear, understand, receive, repent and rejoice in what they heard. May we (or, should I say I) be so afflicted.
BearPair on November 3, 2016 at 7:34 am
Excellent! KT, your last statement says it all! Thank you.
gagirllive on November 3, 2016 at 7:50 am
K. T., thank you for reminding us of these important dates in November. This passage of scripture is just thrilling. Their desire and reverence for the word of God is so palpable. I imagine every preacher would love to have such faithful and captivated congregants today who are not watching the clock. 🙂 This is really a perfect model of what our gatherings should be like—assembling with the unified purpose of hearing the word, reading and expounding on the word, worshiping in the word, being convicted by the word and repenting, and celebrating the joy of the LORD that the word brings to us. Now that’s a biblical “order of service”! 🙂 The most noteworthy thing for me was their desire—their spiritual hunger—to gather for hours to hear the word of the LORD. This is what is so lacking today. We have the Bible so readily available to us in so many formats, yet we are so spiritually malnourished—not from lack of food but from a lack of appetite. May we hunger for the word of God more than our necessary food! When I read of saints around the world who go to great lengths and even risk their lives to have just one page of scripture, I am completely undone by how much I take for granted. Thanks, K. T., for reminding me today to highly esteem and treasure the gift that the Bible is—to read it, study it, meditate on it, learn it, obey it, and celebrate it. Grace and peace to you and all my fellow travelers. ♡
gagirllive on November 3, 2016 at 7:55 am
And let me not forget this—share it! 🙂
mb19339 on November 3, 2016 at 9:15 am
Yes, what a great connection K.T. makes here! A great reminder for how to celebrate these days in November, but also, as you say, a bigger reminder for us to look for and become communities of faith who are hungry to hear God’s Word.
sandy229 on November 3, 2016 at 1:17 pm
Yes, that’s what we are called to do 🙂
sandy229 on November 3, 2016 at 1:20 pm
I like that too……their desire and spiritual hunger for God’s Word….some people get upset if the service goes over….not at our church, but in some I have been in. They can’t sit more than an hour to hear God’s word? It would be very difficult for them to sit for hours without having the desire to do so.
Shalom
hsnpoor on November 3, 2016 at 9:09 pm
Makes one wonder what are these people going to do when they get to heaven, where worship will be 24/7….. forever!!!
sim jing ying on November 3, 2016 at 11:25 am
It is significant as to me because I need different perspective points so that I can make out the full picture of what the things the scripture is telling me. I would understand and apply it daily to my life when I’m reading and hearing God’s words to show my desire.
sandy229 on November 3, 2016 at 1:14 pm
Living God’s way means making His priorities our priorities, even when they are different from ours. The Bible tells us how to order our lives according to God’s will. Understanding and obeying Scripture brings joy to our lives and teaches us to acknowledge God’s hand in our success. Thank you K.T. for this reminder. I think it’s amazing “their hunger for God”, it truly is a reminder of how we can apply Scripture to our daily lives.
Shalom to all