Eight times in Nehemiah chapter 8 the word "understood" is used.
Americans revere the Bible, but don't read it.
Christians read the Bible, but don't apply it well. As a gross generality there is no marked difference in the way a Christian lives their life than how a pre-Christian lives theirs.
Recently while attending a seminar at Gordon-Conwell seminary the topic of Biblical illiteracy was discussed and here the same topic is again in Nehemiah. Satan uses our distractions/laziness/busyness/whateverness to keep us Biblically illiterate--EVEN CHRISTIANS.
The word of God understood has the power to transform people for good. It must be read, studied, understood before its beautiful power can be unleashed in your (our) heart(s). I could stop here and preach an entire sermon....
I believe most of us are guilty when we program the time to study the Word of God out of our lives for other noble pursuits.
Our Teaching Director, Beckie, says that the natural reaction to reading the Word is guilt due to the holiness of God. Interesting to think about.
There is no replacement for studying the scriptures. Not even a well marketed, appealing looking devotional book that has sold and printed a gazillion copies at a major league Christian bookstore.
Nehemiah and Ezra organized an outdoor Bible conference and took the Word seriously. To them, it was a real treasure and they treated it as such.
They were intentional about making sure people heard and understood it.
Our language continues to change and translations and paraphrases of the Bible can become a distraction but the beautiful thing is that God's word stays the same. The message--truth--remains the same (2 Timothy 3:16)
Let us understand the power of God in our lives.
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
