In 538 BC, the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem after 70 years in exile. The Temple was rebuilt in 515 BC. It would take the people over 90 years to finally rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. After almost a century, God sends Nehemiah to lead the people in protecting Jerusalem so families could safely inhabit the city again. Around Oct 2, 445 BC, the walls were completed, and the people of God were ready for a new beginning.

For the nation to fulfill God's plan for them, rebuilding the temple, homes, and walls would not be enough. They would need their hearts and lives to be reoriented around God’s Word. The Law of Moses had been neglected and largely forgotten. As important as the walls were to their physical safety, God's Word was vital for their spiritual health. If God's Word was not returned to the center of their lives, the hearts of the people would continue, prone to wander. In Nehemiah 8, Ezra returns to the story. He ascended a wooden platform to elevate himself so the people could see and hear him. The people stood as Ezra read the law out loud for 3 hours straight. As the people listened to the Law of Moses, their hearts were gripped and moved. Nehemiah 8 records what can only be described as a spiritual revival that sweeps God's people.

This chapter of Nehemiah is an incredible example of the power of God's Word, but also serves to give us a pattern for worshipping God with the congregation of God's people. How important is God's Word in your life and congregational worship?