August 14, Reading Notes

Nehemiah 7:61-9:21

Nehemiah 7:61-73

This concludes Nehemiah's research on who was true blue. The last part of verse 73 is the intro into chapter eight.

Nehemiah 8

Ezra's teaching ministry to the people had been suspended during the two months of building the walls. I don't know if this was planned by anyone other than God, but now came the Feast of Trumpets and then the Day of Atonement and the Feast of the Tabernacles. With the walls being finished, this would all be an amazing way to focus this generation on their calling as the people of God in the world. Keep in mind that the dedication of the wall doesn't happen until chapter 12.

Vs. 1-10 Notice that the people gathered in unity. Notice too, that there were leaders on the platform with Ezra, giving visual testimony to their unity with Ezra and the Word. Also, note that the "sermon" was longer than 45 minutes!

Vs. 7-8 So then, after all of this, there were these guys who apparently were given different sections to expound upon and apply.

When I read this I'm not only amazed that the people willingly stood to hear all of this for hours upon hours, but I wonder if they had port-a-potties or something.

Vs. 9-12 Here Nehemiah and Ezra are standing side by side, together. To have had understanding might have been a "disadvantage" at this point. As they heard the Law, seeing all of God's favor and knowing how far they had fallen as a nation, they were told to rejoice and be generous, in spite of being surrounded by enemies and not being an independent nation. Also, think of what it meant for these people to leave their farms and homes for this event and the week-long event that was to follow. What a miracle.

All through Scripture, back then and today, the truth is the same for those who understand: The joy of the Lord is our strength. We follow Christ in the harvest, working for Him, hoping in Him. Paul said it like this in Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Our strength and testimony spring from our joy in being saved and belonging to Christ.

Vs. 13-18 What blows me away here is the comment in verse 17. If I understand this correctly, this feast with people living near the tabernacle / temple in little home-made huts had not been held. And the reason God had given this feast in the first place was experienced. The people rejoiced in God.

V. 18 Notice that Ezra taught all seven days. From the earlier verses we know how they did this. Ezra read and others were appointed to explain and apply the truth of various sections.

Nehemiah 9

And now the final day. You can tell this was a special event orchestrated by God. What a way to give a generation a shot of spiritual vitality, hoping they would determine in their hearts to follow God.

Vs. 1-5 With the confession and fasting and prayer, this looks like a revival.

V. 5 It would appear that the guys mentioned here all led a part of the prayer of testimony and confession that follows.

Since I know how Nehemiah ends, it impresses me how important the leaders are to the walk of the people. The entire congregation is like a living thing. If one part dies or becomes corrupt, the entire body suffers. Sounds like the NT teaching on the church.

Vs. 6-21 As you read this prayer, what stands out to you as a disciple? Isn't it amazing how important their history was to them, to remember, to repent, to follow. And God's love and forgiveness is woven through it all.

As disciples, our own personal history is important in that same way. Think of what the Lord has done, what He has forgiven and when He has restored; and remember that His love and forgiveness are woven through all of it. Add to that, that we are standing at the end of all of this redemptive history that we are reading, having been saved to follow Christ in this time of harvest.

1 Corinthians 9:1-18

This is another one of those portions where Paul gets emotional. Read this portion out loud about three times, putting a little emotion into it and you'll tap into what Paul was feeling when he wrote it. The climax comes in verses 19-23, with 24-27 being a call to follow him.

A leader sacrifices for his master. Nehemiah sacrificed his personal comfort out of love for God serving the people of God. A disciple sacrifices for the sake of his Lord to reach others with this message. These are words from the heart of an amazing disciple. Enjoy.

Vs. 16-17 You might have to read these a few times to get Paul's meaning. Paul never thought he'd be rewarded for preaching the gospel, because it was his obligation. That reminds me of Jesus' teaching on faith to his disciples in Luke 17:10, "So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'" Disciples understand this.

Psalm 33:12-22

Vs. 12-17 I find it interesting that David mentions God's watchfulness and interest as being global and not limited to Israel. Did he understand some of God's redemptive purpose in Israel? The Spirit certainly did.

Vs. 18-22 are the crescendo. Notice how God's steadfast love and hope and trust and waiting are all rolled together. It is something common in all followers of the Lord.

Proverbs 21:11-12

Verse 11 is similar to a proverb we had before, and here the meaning is clear. The scoffer doesn't learn from his punishment, but the simple learn when the scoffer is rebuked. So, it is worth it to rebuke the scoffer. The wise don't need to be punished, they are shown and they learn.

The last clause of verse 12 is interpreted differently in different translations. If it is put together with verse 11, it might mean that the wise person observes and learns from the wicked and what they learn is that God brings them to ruin. So, it isn't worth it to imitate or envy the wicked.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.