The Joy Of The Lord

There were three separate returns by the remanent of Israel from Babylon: the first lot was accompanied by Zerubbabel  (Ezra 2: 1-2); Ezra led the second group (Ezra 7:6-8) and a third group with Nehemiah (Neh 1:1 & 2:11). With each of these returns, different stages of rebuilding of Jerusalem occurs. First the alter of the Lord and the foundation of the temple is laid (Ezra 3) followed by the completion of the temple (Ezra 6: 14-15) and finally the walls and gates of Jerusalem (Neh 7:1). During the rebuilding period, the Israelites faced opposition, taunts, and threats from their enemies to discourage them. So, when all the work has been completed and the jobs assigned and the people are settled in the surrounding towns or in Jerusalem, all the people assembled as one to hear Ezra who was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses… as he had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel read the Book of the Law  (Ezra 7: 6,10 & Neh 8:1).

Ezra read the book from daybreak till noon (imagine if a pastor tried to pull that one off in a modern assembly...) to the people, who stood up to listen. Then Ezra praised the LORD and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground (Neh 8: 6). Next, the Levites read and explained from the Book of the Law giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read (Neh 8: 8) At this point, the people begin to weep and mourn, as they understood the words of the Law. Nehemiah (the governor), Ezra (the priest and scribe) and the Levites who were instructing the people, told the assembly not to mourn and weep but rather to go away and celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them and that the joy of the LORD was their strength (Neh 8:10,12).

We decided on this topic because we wanted to have some understanding of the often quoted verse the joy of the Lord is your strength (Neh 8:10b). Now we strongly urge you to read Ezra chapter 7 and Nehemiah chapter 8 in their entirety. In fact, we should always at the least read the chapter of any verse that is quoted because we can gain a better understanding of the meaning by the context.

So what can we take from this? Perhaps in part we learn here that reading God's Word (and having its meaning properly explained) can lead to conviction and Godly sorrow. But because we serve a merciful God, the story does not end there. This conviction should lead to repentance, and following this repentance,  joy, and thus the joy of the Lord becomes our strength. What do you think?

Special note to all pastors/preachers/teachers: please preach and explain the Word of God to the flock which will allow them to experience the true joy of the Lord!