8th Jun 26 | 14:45
Studies by Book
The reading and understanding of the Scriptures
📖 Acts 15:19-21
Acts 15 - Series 1/Episode 75 - Mon, 06th Apr 2026 - The reading and understanding of the Scriptures - Acts 15:01-21 - THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL - Galatians 03:21-25
Acts 15:19-21 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, (20) but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. (21) For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
Galatians 3:21-25 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. (22) But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. (23) But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. (24) Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (25) But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
The law has led us to receive the promise of God by faith in Jesus Christ. The law tutored us to come to Christ so that we would be justified by faith in Jesus. After faith and justification by faith in Jesus have come, we no longer need to be tutored by the law.
We see how the book of the law was read and how the people listened attentively. Nehemiah 8:1-3 Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded Israel. (2) So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. (3) Then he 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.
There was great solemnity and respect as the book of the law was read. Nehemiah 8:5-6 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. (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. In our current day, reverence for reading and hearing Scripture has been lost.
Nehemiah 8:8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. We can imagine that this would have been a slow, deliberate process. Reading and ensuring that the people understood.
What was the response of the people at the reading of the law? Nehemiah 8:9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.
Then the people were quieted and sent home to rejoice in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord had blessed them through the reading of the Scriptures. Nehemiah 8:10-12 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 Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (11) So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved." (12) And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.
The people understood the words that were declared to them from the Scriptures. We see that there was a great repentance, revival and renewal that happened to the people as they heard and understood the Scriptures. Nehemiah 8:17-18 So 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. And there was very great gladness. (18) Also day by day, from the first day until the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day there was a sacred assembly, according to the prescribed manner.
King Josiah tore his clothes at the reading of the Scriptures, and the Lord had mercy on him. II Chronicles 34:19 Thus it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes. / II Chronicles 34:27 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you," says the LORD.
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