Sunday, August 14, 2011

Giving the Sense

"One Year Bible" Old Testament History Passage
Nehemiah 7:23-9:21

So they read distinctly from the book of the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them understand the reading. Nehemiah 8:8 (NKJV)

There was a great celebration that day. The city of God was restored. The wall was built. The Word of God was once again central in the life of God's people. It was a time of great joy declaring that "the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh. 8:10).

It is important to know the details of how this unfolded. Ezra stood before the people to read the Scripture. But there was a problem. Due to 70 years of Babylonian captivity, the crowd was comprised of many who no longer understood the Hebrew language. Therefore, they needed interpreters.

From within the leaders came those who could "give the sense" and help them to understand what God was saying. This is foundational to all that we do in the Lord. It translates and interprets the Word of God into our world.

To this we are all called.

No comments:

Post a Comment