Nehemiah 8:1 Commentary and Bible Study

At this point Ezra features for the first time in the book. He had originally come to Jerusalem in 458 BC, and Nehemiah had joined him about 13 years later in 445 BC. Nehemiah had got down to work quickly and much had happened since he had arrived, but we are probably still in his first year, 458 BC. This is the beginning of the revival of religion that occurred at this time. ‘And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate.’ Why did they go there? For one thing, there were too many of them to all get into the temple concourse, which was quite modest and smaller than Solomon’s temple, and only men were allowed in the temple courts. Here it is all who could understand who assemble, men and women. So there's a mighty concourse of people in this particular very wide street or area.There seems to be a genuine hunger in the people to hear the word of God, and so they call for Ezra, a scribe instructed in the law, to bring the book of Moses and read to it. This was a precious item kept by scribes and brought out to be read publicly. How can they call themselves the people of God if they do not live according to the instruction in God’s word? How can they remain ignorant of what it says? They are aware that they have not been taught as they should have been, and sure enough they soon discover serious omissions in their religious practices. Ezra must have rejoiced that the people made this request of him, and he and the Levites happily responded. It should what most pleases a godly minister, that the people are eager to be taught and to understand the Scripture.The law was opened and Ezra began to be read. ‘The book of the law of Moses’ – that is what we call the Books of Moses, but originally one book. Ezra’s great concern was that the people could hear clearly when the word was read, and that they hear with understanding. There had to be some exposition there, some explanation of the meaning of the words. Difficult things had to be made clear and this was the work of those who had dedicated their lives to the study of God’s word. Young people also were present, and they benefitted to the extent that they could understand. This reading went on until midday, perhaps about six hours.