The Commentary | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 25, 1886

The Commentary.

NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON.

Reading the Law.

WHEN Nehemiah had finished the walls of Jerusalem, and had set up the gates, the enemies of the Jews were still active, as they had been from the beginning—even as Daniel had prophesied nearly a hundred years before that the walls should be built "even in troublous times"—and watchmen were set upon the wall, all around, "every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house." Although the wall was finished and the gates set up, "the city was large and great; but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded." But before going any further in the matter of building particularly, he began a further reformation in the lives and worship of the people. So he says: "And my God put it into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy." Neh. 7: 1-6.

"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." The words of the book, though written by Moses, were really the words of God; and it was right that the ears of all the people should be attentive to the words that were read to them. Inattention to the reading of the word of God is disrespectful to its Author. If some one of the rulers of this world were to send a communication to us personally, there would be close attention given to the reading of it. The Bible is the communication which the Majesty of the universe sends to us; it is the word of our best Friend; in it he teaches us to profit, telling us the way which we should go to reach happiness and peace at all times. Would that all people to-day to whom the word is read, were as attentive as were these people at Jerusalem when Ezra read. "O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea." Isa. 48: 17, 18.