Nehemiah 8:8
“They read from the book, from the Law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.”
This is what God wanted for Israel. To come before the priest and hear God’s Word. I would say it’s the first time it had happened since before the captivity. It could have been way before then, as their hearts were hard and they weren’t seeking God. So, maybe 100 years since the people were before God with open hearts.
This is what we are to do. We are to be in church seeking God. We are to do this for a couple of reasons. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” God wants us to be in community. We should be glad to see on another. We are to encourage one another. Ephesians 5:19 expounds on this, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord”.
The other reason we are to gather together is to hear God’s Word. Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” This might not appeal to some. I understand that. However, once we are born again and begin to plug into God, the bible becomes very special. Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.”
We taste of the Lord by hearing and reading His Word. The parable of the sower demonstrates the process. We hear the Word, it’s implanted in our hearts and grows. We grow in maturity in Him. The fruit of the Spirit is born in our lives (Galatians 5).
We walk with the Lord, like Adam and Eve and Enoch. We acknowledge Him in all our ways and He directs our paths (Proverbs 3:5,6).
Thank You, Lord, for Your Word. Help us to take it in constantly. It fills our lives and we connect to You. Thank You.