I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading. I had been using One Year Bible Online, but it was time for a change.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Nehemiah 7-8.

    After the walls were completed the returned exiles gathered for an assembly to hear the Book of the Law. Every time I read this passage I am impressed by the effort and planning that went into making sure everyone could hear what was being said. The people reacted to the Law in much the same way that King Josiah had reacted before the Exile. They were saddened by how badly they had failed to follow God’s commands. However, the leaders, from Nehemiah and Ezra on down, reminded them that they had gathered for a time of joyously worshiping God. This shows us another important role for leaders. They need to keep the people from being too hard on themselves. The following day, the small group leaders met with Ezra and other students of the Law to learn what God truly wanted of them. The pattern here is clear. Those with great knowledge of God’s teachings and commands present an overview to everyone. Then they gather with the leaders of the various small groups to go over those teachings in more detail. The small group leaders go out from this teaching session to teach those they lead. It is worth noting that it was while the small group leaders were studying the law with the scribes that they discovered that they were supposed to celebrate the Festival of Shelters. This was not something the scribes told them about. It was something which the group discovered as they read Scripture together.