THE IMPROVED ADULT TEACHER QUARTERLY

Lesson 13                                                                                                                                        May 25, 2008

                                                                CALL TO RENEW THE COVENANT

                                                               LESSON SCRIPTURE: NEHEMIAH 8

                                                          PRINT: NEHEMIAH 8: 1-3, 5-6, 13-14, 17-18

Key Verse: He [Ezra] read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from the early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. Nehemiah 8:3.

Nehemiah 8:1-3 (NRSV)

1  All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had given to Israel.

2  Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month.

3  He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.

5-6

5  And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up.

6  Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

13-14

13  On the second day the heads of ancestral houses of all the people, with the priests and the Le'vites, came together to the scribe Ezra in order to study the words of the law.

14  And they found it written in the law, which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the people of Israel should live in booths during the festival of the seventh month.

17-18

17  And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in them; for from the days of Jesh'u-a son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing.

18  And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read from the book of the law of God. They kept the festival seven days; and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the ordinance.

Nehemiah 8:1-3 (KJV)

1  And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.

2  And  Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation  both of men  and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

3  And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning  until  midday,  before the  men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

5-6

5  And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

6  And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

13-14

13  And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.

14  And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month.

17-18

17  And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jesh'u-a the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.

18  Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.

HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS
May 19-May 25

Monday - Psalm 27:11-14 (Take Courage)

Tuesday - Leviticus 23:33-43 (The Festival of Booths)

Wednesday - Deuteronomy 16:13-17 (Do Not Appear Empty-Handed)

Tuesday - Nehemiah 8:1-6 (Hear the Word)

Friday - Nehemiah 8:7-12 (Teach the Word)

Saturday - Nehemiah 8:13-18 (Study the Word)

Sunday - Psalm 19:7-14 (Delight in God's Law)
 
 
 
The Bible Story

The walls around Jerusalem had been completed, the Temple had been rebuilt, and many of those who had been captive had returned home. Nehemiah and Ezra stood before the people and began to read the Law of Moses before the men, women and whoever stood before the Water Gate. It was a time of celebration for the restoration and renewal that had taken place in the city and in the hearts, minds, and lives of the Hebrew nation.

The reading of the Law was done to remind every individual of what the Lord had done for them in the past and what He would do for them in the future. It was also a reminder of the pain and suffering they would have to endure whenever they chose to stop following the commands and statutes of their God and start following other people and worshiping other gods.

When the people heard the word of the Lord, many of them wept because of the sins that caused them to suffer in the past. They understood that their sins were what came between them and their relationship with God. The people rejoiced after they repented their sins because now they understood the words found in the Law of Moses. They understood this God they served was a forgiving God who wanted to renew His covenant with them.

Renewal and restoration take place when the words of God enter a person's mind, fill their heart, and begin the process of changing his or her life. Seeing the hand of the Lord at work during the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem and the restoration of the people to their homes by the power of God was enough to cause the people to remember that God is a God who keeps His promises to those with whom a covenant relationship exists.

Life Application

Whenever a lost individual is found and that individual is a child it is a time to celebrate. When that lost child is a whole nation of individuals it's truly a time to bring all the people together and give thanks to the Lord God Almighty. The renewal of a community and the restoration of the people and their recommitment to that community is a time for the whole group to praise God and thank their godly leaders who brought them to the place of renewal and restoration.

Disobedience to the ways of God will get people in trouble. Acknowledging their wrongs and then repenting will lead a person to celebrate their renewed relationship with God. When the forgiveness that flows from the Lord is mixed with His grace and mercy it is enough to give any person a new way of looking at things and a new way of living life. There is a new spirit that fills the lives of individuals who have gone through some rough times and have come through still being able to stand. This new spirit among the people is born of their seeing the power and presence of God at work changing lives in the way that He said He would.

When the power of the Holy Spirit begins to work in the life of a believer, great things will begin to happen that only the Lord can get credit for. This show of Holy Power can be seen by everyone who looks at the life of the person in which the Holy Spirit can be found.

Have you ever known someone who was lost and had to go through hard times but made it back to better times? You can look into the eyes of a person who has gone through transformation and recognize the inner peace that comes from renewing one's relationship with God. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells about the new person being in Christ and old things being gone. This new person has a new look because of a new outlook. This new outlook is manifestation of their new relationship with Christ and gives them the peace and joy which accompany this new state of being. If you have gone through the fire and the floods of life and come out on the other side, then you understand the statement that says, "There is always a blessing on the other side of through."

Questions

1.  Why is it important to celebrate both during and after going through the rough and hard times?

2.  Name a time that you celebrated getting to the blessing on the other side of through.

3.  This lesson stresses the importance of hearing and then doing the Word of God. Is this still important today? Do Christians today need to hear the Word of the Lord today?

Prayer

All praises go to You, Lord God, for it was You that brought us back to the place of blessings that can only be found in Your loving presence. Amen.