“Rejoicing – celebrating God speaking and our listening,” from the lesson series, Return from Babylon | scattered & gathered, June 2020
our Scripture
So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. 4 And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood.
6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. 8 They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading (English Standard Version)
Nehemiah 8:2-8 NASB, Nehemiah 8:2-8 NIV, Nehemiah 8:2-8 MESSAGE, Nehemiah 8:2-8 NLT
our lesson
We like celebrating.
The recent coronavirus pandemic has changed how we celebrate the major events and holidays of life. At the outset for many, our weddings, graduations, and birthdays were simply postponed. But soon we have learned to adapt.
Enjoy a one page summary of the lesson. You can print copies for use with your group.
Jesus loved to tell stories. He often taught in parables. The term “parable” is a transliteration of the Greek word parabole (parah-bow-lay). The word means “to throw alongside.” A parable throws one idea alongside another for the purpose of providing a better explanation. Think in terms of “the big picture” instead of “item-by-item” details.
The word starts with the Greek preposition “para.” It literally means alongside, but it stresses a nearness, a closeness or a relationship that is often not expressed in translation. If I mention “peanut-butter and jelly,” the use of the word “para” describes what happens to the two when they are spread in a sandwich, as opposed to two separate jars which set on the shelf.
[su_pullquote align=”right”]Points to Ponder
1) We talked in the last lesson about the troubles in society. Let’s talk this week about you. In what ways has the quarantine changed how you live your life … how you shop, how you travel, how you treat people and how you celebrate?
2) Has the quarantine caused you to realize your need for God? Give some examples to the group. In what ways have you come to appreciate things about God that you took for granted? [/su_pullquote]
story of Nehemiah
By the eighth chapter of Nehemiah, the walls of the city and the temple were near completion. The phrase “all the people gathered as one man” into the square is identical to Ezra 3:1, which also refers to an assembly on the first day of the seventh month. The object of the meeting in Ezra was to restore the altar of burnt offerings and sacrificial worship.
[su_pullquote]Verse to Memorize
We will celebrate and praise you, Lord! You are good to us, and your love never fails. No one can praise you enough … (Psalm 106:1-2a CEV).[/su_pullquote]
Can you imagine the energy and celebration that was present?
Think about two kinds of celebrations at the event.
[su_pullquote align=”right”]Words to Wrangle
We tend to celebrate when we are successful. The Scripture tells us to celebrate when we are weak, because it is then we realize God is strong. Read Psalm 106:1-5, 44-48. The verses in-between give an account of the times when Israel was unfaithful, yet God continued to support Israel, steadfastly faithful, even when they didn’t realize it. Such is cause to celebrate!
1) Can you share with the group about a time when you felt at a mountain-top of celebration with God?
2) Can you give examples of times that God was faithful, even when you were less than obedient, less than confident in God’s presence?
3) Does the recent pandemic fit this? How has the virus proven God to be faithful? In what ways can we celebrate? [/su_pullquote]
There is no real reason to mention everyone by name in verses four and seven. The lesson taught is that individuals need to be celebrated. No doubt each played an important role in the rebuilding of the walls and temple.
rejoicing connected
Notice also the celebration connected with the giving and reading of God’s Word. The people all participated. When the Torah was brought before the people, there must have been shouts of praise and applause. Rejoicing permeated the hearts of the faithful.
[su_pullquote]Conclusions to Consider
1) A primary truth in this lesson is that we are to celebrate the fact that God has spoken and that we have the opportunity to listen. Can you make a list of the essential truths of the Message that God has spoken to us? Concentrate on the essentials, leaving out the matters of opinion.
2) During the past week, how have you listened to what God is saying to you, your church and our country during this pandemic? How will you celebrate in the coming week? [/su_pullquote]
Notice the reading was given for the people who understood the Law. Sometimes we make our worship geared toward unbelievers. Temple worship was made for those who understood. Unbelievers were converted before they worshiped.
The people bowed their heads as the Scripture was read and placed their faces on the ground. Verse nine tells us that the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.
But Nehemiah and Ezra told the people not to mourn or weep, for this day was holy to the Lord. Instead the people were told to go, to eat, drink and celebrate for “the joy of the Lord in your strength.”
| Return from Babylon | lesson three | sub-lessons | |||
| Want to take your study to a deeper level? The images to the right represent ten “sub-lessons,” each supporting the theme in today’s lesson. |  |
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