Context: Nehemiah, King Artaxerxes cupbearer, was in the Capital City of Persia when he is given a report that though his countrymen had returned to Jerusalem, and much work had been accomplished, the city of His fathers, the city where God chose to bear His Holy Name, was a reproach.

The walls that had been demolished almost 200 years earlier still lay as rubble and the burned gates had never been repaired.

Nehemiah weeps over the city. He mourns. He fast, he plans he prays for four months.

In the Lords time, He’s given an opportunity to present his case to the King and because God has been melting the Kings heart, he’s given permission to return to Jerusalem, funding to do the work, military escort, and documentation of it all from the King himself to present to any opposition.

He’d need it, too!

Both external threat and internal strife carried the possibility of hindering the work of rebuilding Jerusalems walls.

Yet, as we read last week:

“The wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul. When all our enemies heard this, all the surrounding nations were intimidated and lost their confidence, for they realized that this task had been accomplished by our God.” —Nehemiah 6:15-16

The job was done, but the work was far from over. Though the rebuilding of the wall and gates was complete, there still needed to be

in the peoples hearts.

Chapter 8 gives us a prescription for renewal that can be applied personally and corporately.

IN ORDER FOR SPIRITUAL RENEWAL TO TAKE PLACE, GODS WORD MUST BE

“When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people gathered together at the square in front of the Water Gate. They asked the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses that the Lord had given Israel.” —Nehemiah 7:73-8:1

The people assemble and call for Ezra the Priest to read from Gods Word.

We see an exaltation of scripture in their…
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for the Word –

“On the first day of the seventh month, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding” —Nehemiah 8:2

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to the Word –

“While he was facing the square in front of the Water Gate, he read out of it from daybreak until noon before the men, the women, and those who could understand. All the people listened attentively to the book of the law” —Nehemiah 8:3

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of the Word –

“The scribe Ezra stood on a high wooden platform made for this purpose…” —Nehemiah 8:4

IN ORDER FOR SPIRITUAL RENEWAL TO TAKE PLACE, GODS PEOPLE MUST BE

“Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and with their hands uplifted all the people said, “Amen, Amen!” Then they knelt low and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.” —Nehemiah 8:6

“…explained the law to the people as they stood in their places. They read out of the book of the law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was read” —Nehemiah 8:7-8

IN ORDER FOR SPIRITUAL RENEWAL TO TAKE PLACE, GODS CHURCH BE

“Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.” And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, since today is holy. Don’t grieve.” Then all the people began to eat and drink, send portions, and have a great celebration, because they had understood the words that were explained to them.” —Nehemiah 8:9-12

“The whole community that had returned from exile made shelters and lived in them. The Israelites had not celebrated like this from the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day. And there was tremendous joy. Ezra read out of the book of the law of God every day, from the first day to the last. The Israelites celebrated the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the ordinance.” —Nehemiah 8:17-18

Renewal begins with an exaltation of

, includes a humble decision to get under it’s

Reveal Answer

and culminates with obediently applying what God

Reveal Answer

to us through His Word to our lives.

*Dinner time discussion - *
* In what ways did the people show they had a high view of the scriptures?
* In what ways can we exalt the Bible?
* How does humility help us to be renewed by the Lord?
* Are their any areas of my life that are not governed and guided by Gods Word?
* In what ways can I respond to today’s sermon?