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People of the Book

People of the Book. Nehemiah 8 Attitudes and Activities of True Worship. Historical Background Leading to Nehemiah 8. The Captivity of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians

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People of the Book

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  1. People of the Book Nehemiah 8 Attitudes and Activities of True Worship

  2. Historical Background Leading to Nehemiah 8 The Captivity of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians As predicted by the weeping prophet in Jer.25:11, the southern two tribes of Judah were taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army shortly after they defeated Egypt and the remnants of the Assyrian army (whom Egypt had tried to muster and utilize in their own defense) at the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC. Egypt, under Pharaoh Neco, had held the throne of David since the days of Josiah. But after the crushing defeat at Carchemish, the Babylonians took Palestine and destroyed Jerusalem. This point in history serves as the beginning for the book of Daniel, and as a backdrop both to Jeremiah and later to Ezekiel.

  3. Historical Background Leading to Nehemiah 8 The Overthrow Of Babylon By Cyrus, King Of Persia The Babylonian rule was short-lived, for in 539 BC. Cyrus, the king of Persia, defeated the Babylonians at the city of Opis on the Tigris toward the end of September. Just a few days later (Oct.10), the city of Sippar (just 30 miles North of Babylon) was taken without a battle. Nabonidus, then the king of Babylon and father of Belshazzar who was the administrative leader, fled for his life. Two days later the Persian troops under Ugbaru's leadership entered Babylon and killed Belshazzar.

  4. Historical Background Leading to Nehemiah 8 Cyrus, The Liberator At least one of the admirable qualities of Cyrus, as military dictators go, was his policy of liberating captive peoples. It was his custom, upon defeat of an enemy, to allow any of the defeated nation's captives to return to their homelands- and in some cases to even to render significant assistance to the reoccupation effort. Such occurred with Judah's return to Palestine. Cyrus encouraged and assisted some 50,000 Jews to return to Jerusalem and their cities under the direction of Zerubbabel. Upon their return and with the leadership of Zerubbabel, the foundation of the Temple was laid. Then it was completed in 515 B.C. as recorded both in 2Chron.36 and Ezra 6.

  5. Historical Background Leading to Nehemiah 8 Next Cometh Artaxerxes I... Upon the death of Cyrus in 530 B.C., Artaxerxes ("Cambysus" in some references) came to the throne of his father as king of Persia- and eventually (about five years later) the combined Medo-Persian empire. He is the king of record in the book of Nehemiah.

  6. Historical Background Leading to Nehemiah 8 Enter Nehemiah Nehemiah was cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, and as such did not return with Zerubbabel and the 50,000 to Palestine. Typically, since he was in essence responsible for the King's very life as protector of his libations, the cupbearer was a trusted friend, confidant, and advisor to the throne. Such appears to the case with Nehemiah and Artaxerxes, cf. Neh.1-2.

  7. Historical Background Leading to Nehemiah 8 Enter Nehemiah Upon seeing the sad countenance of Nehemiah, Artaxerxes questioned him concerning the cause. When Nehemiah explained that his mourning was for the deplorable condition of the city of Jerusalem and its fortifications- namely the surrounding wall and gates, the king asked what he could do. Nehemiah then requested to be allowed to return to Jerusalem to organize and oversee the reconstruction process. Artaxerxes graciously granted the request, Neh.2:1-9.

  8. Historical Background Leading to Nehemiah 8 Enter Nehemiah Upon his arrival, Nehemiah and the others encountered a constant "thorn in the side" from the governor of Samaria and other officials in the area. These men perceived the reconstruction effort of these Jews as a threat to their own regional control. Despite this distraction, the building was begun, Neh.2:11-20; see also chapters 4,5,6.

  9. Historical Background Leading to Nehemiah 8 Enter Nehemiah In spite of the threats, mocking, slander, and extortion used by the regional officials and the wealthy men of Samaria to stop the rebuilding, the wall was completed in 52 days, Neh.6:15. Nehemiah returned to Babylon and king Artaxerxes briefly, but came back to Jerusalem and served as governor for some twelve years, 7:65,70; 8:9. The setting for Nehemiah 8 is just before this brief return to Babylon.

  10. Attitudes and Actions of Worship Worth Emulation The People of the Book were Interested- Desirous of Knowledge, vv.1-2 They did not have to be pleaded, cajoled, browbeaten or bribed into assembly- they came together on their own because they desired to know God’s law. All too often, folks today want to know what everyone thinks but God. Or, they don’t care what anyone thinks including God. Matt.5:6Eph.5:101Pet.2:2

  11. Attitudes and Actions of Worship Worth Emulation The People of the Book were Unhurried & Attentive, v.3 They did not have “someplace else to be” or even someplace else they’d rather be. Yes, it’s difficult to wrestle children, keep ‘old bones’ in the pew, and pay attention for longer periods of time. But it is much more difficult to do so when we’d really rather be somewhere else doing something else. Literally, these folks listened to the reading of the Law “from the light until midday.” Psalm 122:1Matt.6:33

  12. Attitudes and Actions of Worship Worth Emulation The People of the Book were Reverential & Respectful, vv.4-6 Everything about their posture manifested reverence, respect, and interest- they first stood up, then answered “Amen, Amen!” with their hands uplifted at Ezra’s blessing of God, then bowed low and worshiped with their faces to the ground.” They didn’t have to occupy themselves with other things to “get through” the service. The difference between them and some today isn’t attitude- it’s desire. They really wanted to know & worship God. Desire dictates attitude. John 4:23-24Phil.3:3

  13. Attitudes and Actions of Worship Worth Emulation The People of the Book were Undistracted, v.7 Attention span is something each person needs to work on for themselves. It is a part of self-control, Gal.5:23. Distractions are going to occur. Babies will talk, play, and cry. Parents need to minimize these distractions as much as possible. But men don’t need to distract by clipping nails and/or snoring, and women don’t need to distract by showing bare shoulders, thighs, and cleavage. Bathroom trips, etc. need to be kept to a minimum so that all can better focus their attention on worship and the Word of God.

  14. Attitudes and Actions of Worship Worth Emulation The People of the Book were Understanding & Touched, vv.8-12 “Translating” and “giving the sense” of the reading was necessary because the Law was in Hebrew and many of the audience had been brought up in Babylonian or Persian captivity. Because these people truly desired to know God’s Law, even language barriers did not deter them. Once they understood the Law intellectually with their minds, it affected their hearts emotionally. Psalm 119:97,127,140,159,165

  15. Attitudes and Actions of Worship Worth Emulation The People of the Book were Obedient, vv.13-17a Once their desire had led to undistracted attention, and therefore understanding of the Law, it touched their hearts to obedience. If the weak and useless (Heb.7:18) could have those effects, how much more so the gloriously powerful Gospel of Jesus Christ? It can and will have these same effects if we will have the same interest, dedication, and undistracted devotion to it. Ezra 7:101Pet.2:1-5

  16. Attitudes and Actions of Worship Worth Emulation The People of the Book were Rejoicing and Diligent, vv.17b-18 Understanding and obeying God’s Word produces joy for it yields acceptance with God, cf. Gen.4:7. But faithfulness is not a “one time” act of obedience. “People of the Book” continue in diligent pursuit of knowledge of and obedience to God’s Word, v.18.

  17. The “People of the Book” were: Interested and Desirous of God’s Law Unhurried and Attentive Reverential and Respectful Undistracted Understanding and Emotionally Affected Obedient Rejoicing and Diligent. Are you such a person? Are we such a people?

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