696. NEH 8:5-8. ANCIENT WORSHIP, AND OPEN AIR PREACHING
Neh_8:5-8. Ancient Worship, and Open Air Preaching
"And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people); and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamim, Akkub, Shabbethai; Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."’97Neh_8:5-8.
Our subject is the narrative of the earliest instance of preaching with which we are acquainted.
The subject is connected with Ezra’s collecting the people together to hear the Word of the Lord.
This congregation was in the open air; Neh_8:1. The congregation was both men and women, &c.; Neh_8:2. All that could understand, &c. The service was a protracted one,’97from morning till mid-day, &c.; Neh_8:3.
Ezra was exalted above the people, in a pulpit of wood, &c. Literally, "a tower of wood." It was a very large one, it held fourteen persons. Then our text proceeds to describe the order of worship which followed; in which, observe,
The Book. The Worshippers; and the Sermon.
I. The book.
It was the book of the law. As such, it was,
1. A divine book.
Composed by Jehovah. Written by his command. Exhibiting his will. Revealing his claims, &c.
2. An ancient book.
The first book the world ever had.
3. A wonderful book.
God for its Author,’97Truth its matter,’97Salvation its object and end.
4. An invaluable book.
Book of books! Oracles of saving truth. The only chart of life’97the only guide to heaven.
Yet the book referred to in the text was small and imperfect. We have it complete. The Psalms’97the Prophets’97the Gospels’97the Epistles, &c.
Yet their book was scarce, many had never seen it before. Belonged to the house of God. So the Bible used to be chained in our churches. Now, how plentiful! and, therefore, cheap. All may have it. How we should prize, and love the Word of God, &c.
This book was opened and read to the people. The reading of the Scriptures forms one important part of Divine service. Observe,
II. The worship.
Here was,
1. Adoring praise.
Ezra "Blessed the Lord," &c.; Neh_8:6. Exalted his name. Adored his majesty. Praised his goodness. How often this is urged,’97"To enter his gates with praise," &c.
Here was,
2. Humble invocation.
"Lifting up their hands," &c. Expressive of dependence on God. Expecting, and silently seeking his blessing. Observe, too, the great prostration and humility: "Bowed their heads," &c.
We cannot be too lowly, or too self-abased, before God. Dust and ashes, &c. There was,
3. Sincerity and harmony of spirit.
"And all the people answered, Amen." They understood, they felt, they agreed with the service; they said, "So be it;" and they repeated it,’97Amen and amen.
There should be fervor and sincerity in our worship. All should enter into the spirit of it, and give the believing amen.
Notice,
III. The sermon.
It was not textual. Not one of mere propositions.’97Not an essay.’97Not an oration; but, an exposition.
1. They read in the book of the law, distinctly.
With solemn precision. With due regard to the sense. To the close of the paragraph. It was "distinctly" read. With clear voice;’97well articulated;’97and with correct pronunciation.
2. They gave the sense.
Explained what it signified. Made its meaning obvious. Did not mystify; nor lose the word in a heap of learned terms; but made the Word to shine forth. Held it before the people, till they saw its meaning.
3. They caused them to understand it.
Not the learned merely,’97not the quick, &c.; but, all the people. The unlearned and the dull.
No end answered without this. The word must be understood, if it is to benefit. Paul, Luther, Manton, Wesley, Whitefield, all aimed at this.
Plain words’97varied forms of illustration’97occasional repetitions’97earnest mode of address, to secure attention, &c. All needful; that the people should be made to understand.
Such is the account of this memorable sermon! &c.
Let me add a few miscellaneous observations on the things necessary to your profiting by the public worship of God.
1. Be in your places in time, so as to be composed.
2. Seek preparation of heart from the Lord.
3. Have a copy of the Scriptures to refer to; and read with the minister.
4. Labor to understand.
5. Return home to pray and meditate.
6. Forget not the end of the whole’97the salvation of your souls.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS