Worshiping in Jerusalem Again
(Nehemiah)
Festival of Booths
Nehemiah 7:73-8:6
The Message (MSG)
73 The
priests, Levites, security guards, singers, and Temple support staff,
along with some others, and the rest of the People of Israel, all found a
place to live in their own towns.
4 The scholar Ezra stood on a wooden platform constructed for the occasion. He was flanked on the right by Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, and on the left by Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
5-6 Ezra opened the book. Every eye was on him (he was standing on the raised platform) and as he opened the book everyone stood. Then Ezra praised God, the great God, and all the people responded, “Oh Yes! Yes!” with hands raised high. And then they fell to their knees in worship of God, their faces to the ground.
Ezra and The Revelation
8 By
the time the seventh month arrived, the People of Israel were settled
in their towns. Then all the people gathered as one person in the town
square in front of the Water Gate and asked the scholar Ezra to bring
the Book of The Revelation of Moses that God had commanded for Israel.
2-3 So
Ezra the priest brought The Revelation to the congregation, which was
made up of both men and women—everyone capable of understanding. It was
the first day of the seventh month. He read it facing the town square at
the Water Gate from early dawn until noon in the hearing of the men and
women, all who could understand it. And all the people listened—they
were all ears—to the Book of The Revelation.4 The scholar Ezra stood on a wooden platform constructed for the occasion. He was flanked on the right by Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, and on the left by Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
5-6 Ezra opened the book. Every eye was on him (he was standing on the raised platform) and as he opened the book everyone stood. Then Ezra praised God, the great God, and all the people responded, “Oh Yes! Yes!” with hands raised high. And then they fell to their knees in worship of God, their faces to the ground.
For Reflection
All
the people gathered as one person! They stood as we do in unity,
citizens in the Kingdom of God. How could one not respond in awe,
wonder, excitement and praise in worship of God who delivers us from the
chains of common place wisdom
Pray
that you will never cease to be awe struck by the power, justness and the grace of a compassionate God. Pray in thanksgiving for the goodness that is God residing in you.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please post comments here.