Standing Up and Bowing Down

“In October, when the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moshé, which Adonai had given for Israel to obey. So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law. Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. To his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah. To his left stood Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam. Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.

Then Ezra praised Adonai, the great YAHVEH and all the people chanted, ‘Amen! Amen!’ as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped Adonai with their faces to the ground. The Levites - Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah - then instructed the people in the Law while everyone remained in their places. 

They read from the Book of the Law of YAHVEH and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage. Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, ‘don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before Adonai your YAHVEH.’ For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. And Nehemiah continued, ‘go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Adonai. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of Adonai is your strength!’” (Nehemiah 8: 1-10) (Also read Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a; Luke 4: 14-21) One of the remarkable moments in the life of the Hebrew people was when they discovered once again their purpose and their destiny through an encounter with the ancient words of Moshé. The gathering is one in which Ezra, the teacher of the Torah, was invited by the Levites to participate in the public reading of the ancient texts. The descriptions of the event are electric. The community, both men and women alike, gathered in full force to hear the words of the Law. It is interesting to note that the description of this significant gathering unfolds like scenes in a drama. Each scene contains a powerful message that bears evidence to the momentous nature of the event.

I.) The drama begins with a gathering of great expectation. The whole village gathered by the Water Gate (Ezra 3:26). Those who gathered were those of age, those who could “hear with understanding” (8:2). It is clear that this was a multigenerational moment. This is a great lesson for our worship with its tendency toward dividing generations in worship rather than uniting them. All were present. The description of the gathering is one that is quite compelling. Evidently the scene was joyful and expectant. There is a wonderful and convicting element to these words. As the words of the Law are read, there is a palpable excitement in the air. As I scan the worship landscape around me, I rarely see congregational moments that are filled with expectancy. I see the monotony that our worship often exhibits and I see people who are physically in worship but are mentally and spiritually AWOL. One gathers that not only the bodies of the ancient worshippers present but also their spirits.

II.) The scene shifts to the purpose of this gathering. The people of YAHVEH were not there to gather for the sake of gathering; rather it was intended solely for a reading of the Law of Moshé. The people convened to hear a word from YAHVEH. In fact, they were so anxious to gather that they arrived early in the morning and stayed until midday. Their ears were open to the words of the Law. Evidently there was a special component to this gathering as evidenced by the construction of a wooden “pulpit” (8:4). The sacredness of this scene is best understood in the posture and response of the people. As the words of the Law were being read, the listeners stood (8:5). It is a poignant reminder that even our posture reflects appropriate worship. By standing for the reading of the Law, the listeners indicated a willingness to hear and to respond to the holy words of Moshé. Moreover, the respondents repositioned their posture in response to the sacredness of this communal act. As the words were read, the community cried out, “Amen, Amen” and they “ lifted their hands and bowed their heads ” (8:6) to worship YAHVEH. Their body language spoke volumes! The reading of the Law evoked a tremendous sense of the Holy. Convicted by the words and moved by the experience, one by one the listeners dropped their faces to the ground. This was a “standing on holy ground” moment for the people of YAHVEH.

III.) As the drama unfolds, so does its intensity. In this moment of such power and awe, something of far greater significance happened: the people understood (8:8). They got it! As I read this story again, I am reminded of what occurs in many worship settings today. Many are moved at a deeply emotional level and worship becomes but a release valve for deep and meaningful expression. But if it is simply an emotional moment, nothing of lasting spiritual value happens. As Ezra read the words of the Law, there was a sense of awe among the people, but it was more than a hyped - up human response. The people heard and understood. Thus they left with more than an emotional jolt; the words spoke to them and they were moved. They not only “felt” something; they “knew” something. What a powerful testimony and reminder to the rest of us.

IV.) The drama concludes with a powerful blessing. We might say that it provides the benediction to all that had occurred. Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites offered a joint statement. Their statement offers great insight into what had actually transpired. Simply the presence of these political and spiritual leaders sharing the same stage at once speaks volumes. Evidently, this gathering had evoked a deep response. For some there was an outpouring of emotion (8:9). Their leaders responded to the tears and the mourning by reminding the listeners not to despair but to be encouraged by the presence of YAHVEH: “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (8:10). Whenever the people of YAHVEH gather in community, something remarkable happens. Even when the raw power of emotion evokes something from us, YAHVEH redeems that and every moment by His presence and grace. The benediction of our worship ought always to challenge us to move beyond our volatile emotions to the place of celebrating the consistency of YAHVEH’s joy in our lives.