Nehemiah 8:1-18 - Homilies By J.s. Exell

The word of God in a threefold relationship.

I. THE WORD OF GOD AND POPULAR DESIRE . "And they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel."

1. The desire of the people for the word of God.

2. The attitude of the people toward the word of God.

II. THE WORD OF GOD AND SPIRITUAL EMOTION . "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" (verse 9). There is much in the word of God to awaken human emotion; its record of sin must inspire grief; its tidings of Divine mercy should beget joy. The emotions awakened by the word of God must be—

1. Enlightened.

2. Appropriate (verse 11).

3. Benevolent (verse 10).

III. THE WORD OF GOD AND CHURCH ORDINANCE .

1. Church ordinances should be remembered.

2. Church ordinances should be Scriptural.

3. Church ordinances should be joyous.

4. Church ordinances should not be exclusive.—E.