Psalm 8:1
My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Nehemiah 8. The entire chapter was a refresher on the historic and biblical roots of our forms of worship. But verse 8 stood out to me:
Nehemiah 8:8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
I studied Hebrew at Temple Beth Torah in Ventura, CA, many years ago. It was a beginner’s course, intended for American Jews to learn their language. I applied for the class and was accepted. Rabbi Kiner took an interest in my interest in learning Hebrew, and over time, we became friendly. I invited him to be my guest for a special day we called “Friend Day.” He asked if he could thank the congregation for supporting Israel. As we sat on the platform together, I noticed he was in a reflective mood. I asked if he needed anything, and he told me he was surprised by how familiar our form of worship was to the Synagogue. I explained that the early church was made up exclusively of Jews and that we took the pattern of worship from the same place he did: Nehemiah 8.
Our meeting place is in a public place designated for meetings (Nehemiah 8:1).
We bring the Bible to teach all the men and the women and those old enough to “understand” (Nehemiah 8:2).
We read from the Bible to the congregation, who give attention to the word of God (Nehemiah 8:3).
The Preacher stands in a “pulpit made of wood,” made for the purpose of standing before the congregation to read the Scripture (Nehemiah 8:4).
The pulpit made of wood was elevated above the people. When the preacher stood at the pulpit to read the Scripture, the congregation rose to their feet in honor of the reading of God’s word (Nehemiah 8:5).
After the reading of God’s word, the preacher prayed, the congregation said “Amen, amen,” raised their hands, and bowed their heads to worship the LORD (Nehemiah 8:6-7).
The preachers and teachers of the congregation “read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading” (Nehemiah 8:8).
Along the still waters, I reflected on how awesome it is that almost 2,500 years later, our pattern of worship is almost identical to what it was in c459 BC. It is very humbling and impressive that this primitive form of worship has endured for more than two millennia. Rabbi Kiner was moved and moved the congregation with a heartwarming expression of gratitude to us for loving and supporting Israel.
One thing the Rabbi said was distinctly different. He said his congregation did not sing their hymns with heart as he heard us sing. I thought of Psalm 137:3, “For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.” And I noticed that Nehemiah had to encourage the people to rejoice and not be downcast: “And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha (Governor, ruler), and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law” (Nehemiah 8:9).
I explained to the Rabbi that not every Baptist congregation sang like ours did. With eyes moistened, he said, “We have lost our song.” There was a jealousy there, but not the sort that inspires hatred. This is God’s plan:
Romans 10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. (See Deuteronomy 32:1; 1 Peter 2:10.)
Romans 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
In the valley, Jesus reminded me that our Messiah took up the Cross for us, and that we must take up ours for Him: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Let us humble ourselves, for “salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:24). Let us be grateful to our Jewish friends: “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God” (Romans 3:1-2).
And today, 2,500+ years later, we carry these oracles of God to our pulpits made of wood and preach and teach God’s word, reading the word distinctly, giving the sense, so that the congregation may understand (Nehemiah 8:8).
At the table, He anointed my head with the same oil He used to anoint David, and filled my cup to overflowing with the grace He ministered to David (Psalm 23:5). The same goodness and mercy that followed David follows me! Hallelujah!
Praying for revival! 🙏
Going live asap:
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