Topical Bible: The Law of Moses: Publicly Read by Ezra

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The public reading of the Law of Moses by Ezra is a significant event in the history of Israel, marking a pivotal moment of spiritual renewal and covenant reaffirmation among the Jewish people. This event is recorded in the book of Nehemiah, specifically in Nehemiah 8, and it underscores the importance of the Law in guiding the life and worship of the Israelite community.

Historical Context

The reading took place during the post-exilic period, after the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylonian captivity. Under the leadership of Nehemiah, the walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt, and there was a renewed focus on restoring the religious and social order according to the covenantal standards set forth in the Law of Moses. Ezra, a scribe and priest, played a central role in this spiritual revival.

The Event

The event occurred on the first day of the seventh month, which is the month of Tishri, coinciding with the Feast of Trumpets, a time of sacred assembly. Nehemiah 8:1-3 describes the gathering: "All the people gathered together as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand. So Ezra read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women, and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law."

Significance of the Reading

The public reading of the Law was not merely a ceremonial act but a profound moment of communal engagement with God's Word. It was a time of instruction, reflection, and recommitment to the covenant. The people stood in reverence as the Law was read, demonstrating their respect and eagerness to hear and understand God's commands.

Ezra, along with the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, as noted in Nehemiah 8:7-8 : "The Levites...instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places. They read from the Book of the Law of God, clearly explaining and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read."

Response of the People

The reading of the Law led to a deep emotional response among the people. Nehemiah 8:9 records that the people wept as they heard the words of the Law, indicating their conviction and realization of how far they had strayed from God's commands. However, Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites encouraged the people to rejoice, for the day was holy to the Lord. Nehemiah 8:10 states, "Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Renewal of the Covenant

Following the reading, the people celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles with great joy, as prescribed in the Law, and they made a renewed commitment to follow God's commands. This event marked a significant turning point, as the people of Israel recommitted themselves to live according to the statutes and ordinances given by God through Moses.

The public reading of the Law by Ezra thus stands as a powerful testament to the enduring authority of Scripture in the life of God's people, serving as a catalyst for spiritual renewal and covenantal faithfulness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 8:2,3
And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Bible in the Days of Jesus Christ
... Sabbath, to hear the Books of the Law and the ... first recorded words spoken by God
to Moses lay a ... at the first time in which Christ publicly read and explained ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter viii the bible in.htm

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... in Israel statutes and judgments." As we are told that he brought the book of the
law of Moses before the congregation and read it publicly, the idea ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ii the old testament.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... the death of Moses, that the law delivered by him had been publicly taught or ... This
Ezra, the record says, "was a ready scribe in the law of Moses which the ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

Introduction
... histories of the Etruscans and Carthaginians should be publicly read aloud once ... to
Demetrius of Phalerum in getting the Law of Moses translated, whereas the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/conybeare/a grammar of septuagint greek/introduction.htm

The Bible Canon from the Fourth Century to the Reformation.
... After speaking of the books of Moses, Joshua, Judges, Kings ... first Epistle of Clement
of Rome was publicly read in some ... Church, are said to be the law and the ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter vii the bible canon.htm

The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees ...
... was an informal mission, rather privately arranged than publicly determined upon ...
What were ever Moses and Aaron ... turned on questions of canon-law.' Josephus tells ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the deputation from.htm

Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober ...
... miracles which the author of it worked publicly as the ... falling in the air by
overpowering the law of gravitation ... be divine: This was the case of Moses and the ...
/.../xiv proposition xiv fifthly as.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... so early as in the history of Moses (Genesis 42 ... city seems almost to have been under
martial law, the citizens ... and from a duty on all that was publicly sold and ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

Articles of Religion of the Reformed Episcopal Church in America. ...
... the Law given from God by Moses, as touching ... No law or authority can override individual
responsibility ... sign of profession, whereby they publicly declare their ...
/.../articles of religion of the.htm

The Typical Significance of the Scriptures Declare their Divine ...
... 9:8-9) and in Hebrews 10 he states, "The law" had "a ... After Moses, the one who led
Israel out from their ... of it; and, in like manner, God publicly witnessed to ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter six the typical significance.htm