A reflection on Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, & 8-10, and Psalm 19 for the Third Sunday After Epiphany, January 23, 2022.
…all the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law… And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen’, lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground…So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, & 9-10 (NRSVA)
The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hidden from its heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring for ever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19 (NRSVA)
It is quite a scene.
All the ‘people’, both ‘men and women’ crammed together in the newly restored city square. The priest, Ezra, bringing out the sacred scrolls of Moses. From ‘early morning until midday’ they listen – a six or seven hour reading.
Perhaps some of you think the passages chosen for this Sunday are particularly long!
It makes me think the people gathered desperately wanted this opportunity. They want to hear. They want to understand.
This is the fulfilment of a deep desire.
There is an informative – and repeated word here: ‘Understanding’, ‘understand’, ‘understood’. This is not so much a ceremonial reading – as one that is seeking to communicate and connect. To be clear, there are ritual elements: the positioning of Ezra above the people, the spontaneous standing, the response ‘Amen, Amen’, the bowing and worshipping.
Yet all this stems from the main game: understanding.
This is an empowering scene. It reads as though the law had not been available for some time. Moses words had been – for all practical purposes – locked away. Now, however, it is given – freely, liberally, and with a purpose beyond perfect accuracy: ‘They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.’
Obviously, all this deeply hit the mark. The people not only understood it, but they also applied it to themselves. Weeping is a sign of an openness to this message – revealing not not shortcoming, but also a missing out on the blessing and joy of learning life from God.
A holy mourning. The leaders seem to know this – and so they quickly embrace the opportunity to point the people beyond their grief.
After all, grief is not an end in itself. This is a turning to God that must pique in generous celebration. A grief that gives way to ‘joy’.
This seems to be a key aspect of Moses law. It was always designed to bring our failings to the light – so that we might live more in line with the ways of the creator in whose image we are made. It is, ultimately inviting us to be ourselves.
No wonder the psalmist can celebrate the law with such extravagant language:
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring for ever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
Yes, the law is good, holy and ‘sure’. It taps into our deepest desire – and fills like the finest gold and honey.
And yet, it is limited. The Apostle Paul tellingly calls it a ‘guardian until Christ came’ (See Galatians 3:24). Wonderful – but not more wonderful than the Christ and his message of grace and mercy.
Perhaps this scripture-starved-and-now-satisfied community can be a reminder to us to treasure the even more perfect picture of God presented in the person of Jesus.
Conversation Starters:
How have you experienced scripture as as source of satisfaction? Lament? Celebration?