Nehemiah 8:6 “And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.”
As you read Nehemiah 8:6 I trust you are able to picture this scene. God’s people have gathered at the square next to the Water Gate and Ezra has been called on to read the Word of God. I love how verse one says, “And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book.” Ezra then “read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.” (Neh. 8:3) Ezra then offers praise to the Lord that allows God’s people to respond and boy did they respond. They responded with their voice in saying Amen and Amen. In saying amen they were saying they were in agreement with what they have been hearing. Then their body got involved with their hands being lifted up and with the bowing of their head. The verse says they worshiped. To worship is to count worthy. Hearing the Word of God caused them to count God worthy and they worshiped. The last phrase says “With their faces to the ground.” This could mean they were so moved they moved from standing to lying prostrate on the ground. It could mean with their heads bowed their faces were looking to the ground. Either way, they were expressing a heart of humility before God.
What a sight this must have been! From acclamation to affirmation to adoration what a sight of worship. AMEN!!!!
Do you just go “through the motions” when God’s Word is read and proclaimed, or do you find the proclamation of God’s Word moving you? Are you listening attentively and then giving affirmation? Does hearing who God is cause you to give adoration to Him?
May the proclamation of God’s Word move us to worship our great God.
Continue Strong in worship,
And remember to DATE the Word