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Daily Devotion: Nehemiah 8:5-6

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Nehemiah 8:5-6    "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:  (6)  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."

The people had requested the book of Moses (the law) to be read by Ezra the scribe. Provision was made for the reading by building a pulpit where Ezra could stand and read to the people.  The pulpit was a logistical matter in that all the people had gathered in the street, and by standing on it, Ezra could more easily be heard. There was a definite response as his voice carried out to the people. The people stood up as the Word was being read. This was out of respect for the very Word of God. It is still a proper stance as we stand when the Word is read. We do this in honor and acknowledgement that the Bible is indeed God's Word to us.

There was another response from the people as Ezra read the Word of God. They answered him by saying, "Amen, Amen."  It has almost become a thing of the past to hear people respond to the truth of the Word of God. The word, Amen, carries the meaning of faithfulness. It indicates the absolute truth of God's Word and indicates an agreement in our hearts and minds. We give ascent to the very truth that is spoken. For some, it means, "as it is, so shall it ever be."  In other words, the Word of God is NEVER outdated. It is effective as it is applied in our lives.

These people were saying, "Amen, with lifting their hands and bowing their heads as they worshipped the LORD."  I picture the lifting of hands as if a little child is learning to walk and reaching his hands out to his mother for support and encouragement. They bowed their heads indicating humility as they remembered how their captivity had been the result of neglecting the Word of God. They were rejoicing in the faithfulness of God as He had brought them home where they could live and serve Him freely. They had lost that freedom and now had regained it.  As I read these verses, I am reminded of my responsibility toward the Lord and His Word and His faithfulness to carry out the principles of His Word each and every day.

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