Practical Lessons From Nehemiah Eight by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 7, 1904

Practical Lessons From Nehemiah Eight

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

Giving and Receiving Bible Instruction

S. N. HASKELL

THE subject of this chapter is Bible instruction. The people came together to learn for themselves the law of God. From this meeting began one of the greatest reformations recorded in the Bible; hence it can be studied with profit.

It was the desire of the people that they should be taught from the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. Neh. 8:1.

The congregation was composed of men, women, and children, all who could hear with understanding. Ezra was the principal teacher. Verse 2.

They met in the morning, and the meeting lasted all the forenoon. They were all attentive. Verse 3.

The priest stood upon an elevation so that all could see him. There were also thirteen others with him in the desk, which gave dignity to the service. No mention is made of other priests holding business meetings elsewhere, although at this time there was much business to attend to. Verse 4.

When the priest opened his book, all showed their respect to the law by rising to their feet. Verse 5.

Prayer was offered at the opening, and “all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshiped the Lord.” Verse 6.

Those who were with the instructor “caused the people to understand the law.” Verse 7.

Their manner of teaching was, first,

to read distinctly; second, to give the sense of what they read; third, to cause the people to understand the reading. Verse 8.

Nehemiah and Ezra were the leading instructors, and they with others sought to impress the minds of the people that such occasions were holy, and they should not mourn and weep, but fix their minds intently on what the Word said. Verse 9.

Because of the light and salvation which came through the Word that was read, they should express their thankfulness by sending gifts one to another, for in joy was their strength. Verse 10.

The people gave heed to their words, and they had great rejoicing “because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.” Verses 11, 12.

Great light broke in upon them, and a great reform began as a result. Verses 13-18.

Additional Thoughts

These truths are brought out in other portions of the Scripture, but this is the only complete Bible illustration of a Bible study. Parents, youth, and children were all benefited by this study; for they were all punctual at the beginning, and were of one accord in one place. The burden of the teachers was to give the Word, and cause the people to understand the reading, and let God give the meaning. Dan. 10:11; 2 Tim. 2:7; 1 Cor. 10:15. Would not such studies be well in this age of apostasy?