Nehemiah 8:7, 8  The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—then instructed the people in the Law while everyone remained in their places. They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage. (NLT)

Nehemiah 8:12  So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them. (NLT)

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Nehemiah 8 and 9 are good chapters to read together and to read aloud. Alternatively, listen to a recording of these chapters. The YouVersion Bible app is helpful if you don’t have another preferred resource. You could also read these chapters aloud by yourself or in a group. 

One of the helpful tenets of biblical interpretation is to understand the context of what is read. For example, Nehemiah is a book recording events after Israel’s southern kingdom, Judah, had fallen, and many people had been taken into exile to Babylon. The first major groups of exiles had now returned to their ancestral home in Israel, and they were learning how to live there again. 

Ezra, whose name serves as the name of the book preceding Nehemiah, read God’s words of laws and instructions to the people. The Levites, who served alongside the priests and carried out the rituals of their religious system, helped small groups understand what they were hearing. 

This had been commanded by God through Moses centuries before. However, this was seldom practiced, and the people forgot God’s great deeds, his perfect love, and his instructions for how to live lives that honored him as God and served others for their good. 

Fast forward to our context. Daily Bible reading and personal study, along with group study and weekly worship, help us know God and what he wants for us that is better than what we want for ourselves. These habits help us live the kinds of lives that honor God and serve others. They teach us how to get along with others, how to reconcile with one another, and how to repair bruised and broken relationships. 

Adding daily clarity reduces our confusion. Hearing God’s heart morning by morning and evening by evening provides direction and purpose. Verse 12 above tells us the people shared meals and celebrated “with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them.” 

I spoke at a church whose membership is composed of Chinese immigrants to the USA. The church meets in separate worship services where one group speaks English and the other speaks Chinese. Both congregations come together for a meal after worship. There was much laughter and conversation along with a tasty meal that day. 

Hearing and obeying God is a uniting and liberating experience. Daily inputs of God’s words of truth and life bang out the dents and polish our lives. We live better, more fruitful and effective lives when we seek to know and experience God day by day. Laughter comes more easily and joy fills our homes and workplaces. 

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I will read God’s words of truth and life and take them to heart day by day.

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Our Father, give us ears to hear what you are saying to us. Empower us to put your instructions into practice. Fill our lives with purpose and joy. Amen.