8:1 And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded Israel. 2 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.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
All the people gathered together in the square by the Water Gate. They asked Ezra to bring out the Law of Moses (Gen-Deu) and read it to them. Everyone gathered; men, women, and children who could understand. Ezra stood on a platform and read God’s word to the people while they stood and listened from early morning until midday. God’s word was read aloud and clearly, and then the Levites helped the people to understand what had been read—they probably helped to make it applicable to them. When this time of reading and explanation was finished, everyone responded with “Amen, Amen,” with their hands lifted up in agreement. Then they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
This is a picture of people hungry to hear and obey God’s word. When last did you find yourself this hungry to hear God’s word taught and explained? How does a four hour (standing) church service of primarily preaching sound to you? It’s not that we should do church like this, but that our hearts should be hungry to hear from God. How hungry is your heart?