Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-08
Sunday School Lesson
Commentary.
Z. r. WALKER, b. D.
EZRA AND NEHEMIAH TEACH THE
LAW
:. r. WALKER, D. D.

EZRA AND NEHEMIAH TEACH THE
LAW.
nehemiah e:1-12).
Golden text-"Thy word is lamp un
to my feet and light unto my path"
EXPLANATORY.
Time: b. c. AS.
Place: Jerusalem.
Verse l. And all the people gathered
themselves together as one man into
the street that was before the water
gate;-We are not told what was the
immediate occasion of this general
congregational meeting. Possibly 1t
was the return of the great scribe
Ezra, who evidently had been for some
time absent from the CITY, He was re-
cognized and honored as true Israel |
lite, like Nehemiah, and great man of
God. It is likely that Nehemiah him
self called the meeting in recognition
and honor Of the great scribe. and also
with deeper motive. The word for
street means a plaza, or open place. |
like a large court. This was an inner
gate on the east side Of the temple, by
which there was a large open place for
| public assemblies. 1t Is beautiful to see
that there was real unity in that gen
| eral assembly-and they spake unto
Ezra the scribe--As suggested above
he probably had been absent for some
years. He had, about thirteen years
before, come to Jerusalem from Baby
lon. accompanied by about three thou
| sand Jews, with authority from tho
king to set things in order, particu-
| larly about the temple. When he left
| the city, we have no way of knowing:
| but 1t is hard to think that he had been
| in Jerusalem with Nehemiah during
| the years of struggle in getting things
outwardly in order, without taking
| prominent part therein, which I'M
doubtedly would have been mentioned
by that builder, who was generally
| habituated to recording names Of those
| who had assisted in the good work.
| From now on Nehemiah gives him
quite prominent mention-to bring the
book of the law of Moses, which the
Lord had commanded to Israel. The
book probably was the whole Penta-
teuch--the first five books of the Bible,
which doubtless at this time were
bound together. The great scribe had
much to do with the books of the Old
Testament-probably more than any
other scribe. He was the Bible man of
the times. 1t is quite probable that
the great Nehemiah had sent for him
to return to Jerusalem after the repair
of the walls, in order that he might
give reading to the people in the word
of God.
8. And he read therein from
the morning until the midday.-No less
than six hours and during that time
he could have read a considerable por-
ton of the five books of Moses, unless
much time was spent in explanations
as Is more than possible before the
men and women, and those that could
understand, etc. 1t was a regular con-
gregational meeting, or general as
sembly of the church in Jerusalem;
and all gave close attention to the
Word
4. And Ezra the scribe stood on a
pulpit of wood. which they had made
for the purpose 1T was no doubt a
large platform elevated considerably
above the people: so that all could
see and hear. 1t was sufficiently large
to hold thirteen people besides cara
people of prominence, no doubt. but
not necessarily either scribes or priests,
but supporters of the scribe in this
great work. Their names are here Civ
, en-, as is the custom generally with
Nehemiah, who evidently reported the
meeting.
g. And Ezra blessed the Lord trS
, great God.-He praised God in terms
of gratitude and love. We know not
what words he used, but probably
something like the Levites enjoined
, upon the people to utter, as in CHI. IS.
etc, celebrating His glorious char
acter and His wondrous grace; and
David. in 1 Chron. 10, etc. To bless
God is to gratefully and affectionately
praise both His majesty and His low
ing kindness. such as we often do in
our grateful and praiseful songs. And
, all the people answered, Amen
- Amen,-This is the response of cred
ence and approval. The word ex-
, presses sympathy with the uttered de-
votion of the scribe, and it is repeated
for emphasis, as Jesus quite frequentl,
, did Such responses are of the yer,
y spirit of worship. and more than pro
per when any one leads in prayer ant
also when any one gives devout ex
preston to divine truth. 1t was quits
customary, particularly in the earl,
d period of Christianity, for all the PEG
= pie of God to say Amen! in respons'
!, to prayer and preaching and praising
and it ought~to be the common custom
). today, but always with great thought
fulness and in the spirit Of faith. ant
;. worship--with lifting up their hands,
: This also was a very eloquent sign o
united worship. The Psalmist sings
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary