Day 57 – Respect

Nehemiah 8:1 Now the people gathered as one man in the open square in front of the Water Gate; and told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which JEHOVAH had commanded Israel.

 2 Then Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and everyone who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3 Thus, he read from it in the open square in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. 4 Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood they made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 Ezra opened the book in the sight of the people, for he stood above the people; and when he opened it, the people stood.

 6 Ezra blessed JEHOVAH, the great Elohiym. Then the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting their hands. They bowed their heads and worshiped JEHOVAH with their faces to the ground.

 7 Also, Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. 8 Then they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of Elohiym; and they gave the sense and helped them to understand the reading.

 9 Nehemiah, the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to the people, “This day is holy to JEHOVAH your Elohiym; do not mourn nor weep.” For the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.

 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our JEHOVAH. Do not sorrow, for the joy of JEHOVAH is your strength.”

 11 Then the Levites quieted the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.”

 12 Then the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice, because they understood the words declared to them.

 13 Now, on the second day the heads of the fathers’ houses of the people, with the priests and Levites, gathered to Ezra the scribe, to understand the words of the Law. 14 They found written in the Law, which JEHOVAH had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, 15 and that they should announce and proclaim in their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.”

 16 Then the people went out and brought them and made themselves booths, each one on the roof of his house, or in their courtyards or the courts of the house of Elohiym, and in the open square of the Water Gate and in the open square of the Gate of Ephraim.

 17 Then the whole assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and sat under the booths; for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day the children of Israel had not done so. There was great gladness. 18 Also, day by day, from the first day until the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of Elohiym. They kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day there was a sacred assembly, according to the prescribed manner.

God’s names:

JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal

Elohiym – Supreme God

Yeshuwa – Jesus

God’s character:

Holy

Sovereign

When important people come into your city, people stand to welcome them and hear what they say.

When Ezra opened the Book of the Law of Moses and began reading, the people stood to hear the Word of JEHOVAH. They wanted to understand what He said to them. Several people made the people understand so they could respond with honor and respect to JEHOVAH and everything He did for them. Then, according to the law, they set up booths as indicated in the Law and kept the Feast of Booths for seven days, and the Book of the Law was read to them every day.

As Christians, how often do you stand when someone reads JEHOVAH’S Word? Many denominations require people to stand when the minister reads the gospel, but not every church does. When Ezra started reading the Book of the Law, the people stood and remained standing until he finished reading the Law. Christians get tired of standing for long periods of time and prefer to sit when JEHOVAH’S Word is read to them. Also, when Ezra read the Book of the Law, the people wept. When was the last time you wept when you read JEHOVAH’S Word?

Is it wrong not to weep when you hear JEHOVAH’S Word? No. Is it wrong to sit when someone reads JEHOVAH’S Word? No. Yeshuwa sat to teach in the synagogues and in the fields, and people listened. It is more important for you to understand what you read and hear from JEHOVAH’S Word. Ezra had people who understood the Book of the Law to help the people understand it as well. When they understood, they wept. JEHOVAH’S Word should cause a deep response in you when you read and hear it. Your response to Elohiym should reflect your love for Him. When you give Your attention to His Word, you will do what it says. The people made booths to celebrate the Feast of Booths in response to the reading of the Book of the Law.

Have you built a booth for Yeshuwa in your heart? Do you read the Word daily? Does reading His Word cause a deep response in your heart? If people see a nonchalant attitude in you when you read Yeshuwa’s Word, they will disregard what you tell them because they will see it has no direct effect on you. People should see and hear your love for Yeshuwa in everything you say and do. Then they will see a reason to listen and accept Yeshuwa as their Savior and Lord also.

Let’s pray: Father, give me a compassionate heart for Your Word. Let people see how much I love You, trust You, and do my best to obey You. Let me show You my respect when I read Your Word. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 16 March 2025 by Valerie Routhieaux