Would You Have Stood Up?

How much do we appreciate and value God's word? Our knee jerk reaction is to say, “Lots! Of course I value it!” But when we examine our lives, how much does it show? Do we truly place great value on it? Do we place as much importance on it as the Jews did when they returned from the Babylonian captivity?

And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

Nehemiah 8:1-3

Consider what is being said here: all the people gathered together specifically to hear the book of the law. Can you imagine a great multitude so eager to hear what God has to say? Can you fathom it in today's society? And then, when Ezra began reading the law, it wasn't a 30 minute or 45 minute sermon. He read from morning until midday. For hours he read from the book of the law. The people listened attentively! I don't know about you, but I would have a hard time listening to someone read for that long. But our interest in God's word should be so strong that we would willingly listen for hours, and would willingly study for hours to understand what God's will is.

And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 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:

^{Nehemiah 8:4-5}

Not only did the people willingly listen for hours, but when God's word was opened, they stood up. That is a great deal of respect for God's word. In our society, we stand up for judges, for highly respected people, and to give standing ovations. Each time, there is a measure of respect in the action. Do we hold God's word in the same measure of respect? Would we have stood up for the reading of the law?

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.

Nehemiah 8:6

And then the people humbled themselves before God and worshiped. The word affected the people and worked in their hearts. Are we willing to let it work in us? Do we have the reverence for God and His word that we can react like this?