The rebuilding of the walls by Nehemiah, God's businessman, made possible the revival of the Word under Ezra the priest.

God uses His kingdom business sons and daughters to open up, by practical means, opportunities for sowing His Word in the hearts of the people.

Since the beginning of the book of Nehemiah, we have heard nothing of Ezra. It may be that he had returned to the king of Persia to make a report of his work. We cannot blame him for not building the walls, since he had not been authorized to do this, nor did he hold the position of governor. Nehemiah was called of God to rebuild the walls of the city, while Ezra was the priest whose task was to teach the law. God calls each man to his own work, and equips him for this. J. Stafford Wright. The Biblical expositor

See the many causes of delight in this gripping scene.

Nehemiah 7:73 "... and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities."

Nehemiah 8:1 "And all the people gathered themselves together ..."

It was the time of the feast of trumpets (Leviticus 23:24 ). How special to begin a new civil year with the blowing of the trumpet for a time of holy convocation.

How important it is that God's business people begin new rounds of secular work, by marking them as sacred to the Lord, knowing that all must be done to the glory of God.

What a gathering to warm the heart. "All" the people together, and how appropriate the place, in front of the Water Gate. This was the place where the written Word of God was given to them as living water.

Nehemiah 8:1 "... and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book ..."

This could only be a move of God's Spirit. Here was a people lax in keeping God's Word, yearning after its instruction. Building for God under Nehemiah's zealous leadership, gave the Holy Spirit opportunity to stir desire in the people for better things, like the living Word.

It was read "from the morning until midday" (Nehemiah 8:3 KJV) by Ezra and his assistants (Nehemiah 8:7 ), and was accompanied by exposition (Nehemiah 8:7-8 ).

Here are essentials to good teaching:

	The Scriptures must be read.
	The plain sense of what is read must be explained.
	The hearers must be made to understand with heart and mind what is written.

Nehemiah 8:5 "... when he opened it, all the people stood up:"

Standing up indicated special respect for the Word, and readiness to hear and obey it.

Nehemiah 8:3 "... and the ears of all the people were attentive ..."

They were attentive to the Word for six hours. Both teacher and people were prepared for the Word through worship (Nehemiah 8:6 ).

Conviction of sin caused the people to weep, appropriate to the days of atonement (on the tenth day of the month), but not on the feast of trumpets. Ryrie

Nehemiah the governor, and Ezra the priest, by instruction and exhortation, got them to dry their tears and celebrate with joy (Nehemiah 8:9-12 ). Their sorrow was to be put aside in exchange for the joy of the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10 ).

Even in business, one can experience the joy of the Lord as strength.

	It is joy of the Lord in His perfection - His work, government, His relationship with us, His joy in us, His fruit of joy (Galatians 5:22 ).
	It is fellowship with Him in His joy.
	It is His joy that constitutes your strength, becomes your stronghold and fortress.
	It is His joy that becomes your powerhouse to do the will and pleasure of God.

Set apart your days as days of the joy of the Lord. In serving, the joy of the Lord makes us free givers, as those who have freely received.

Nehemiah 8:12 "And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them."

Out of His joy in us, flows ministry to others. (Matthew 10:8 ). In accordance with the Word, the whole congregation prepared to dwell in booths (Nehemiah 8:13-18 ). Obedience was revived (Nehemiah 8:14 ). Remembrance was revived (Leviticus 23:43 ).

There must be times in which we check our obedience, and are mindful of God's lovingkindness to us.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Can practical, organised work by God's business people, prepare the way for a revival of the Word of God in cities? (Nehemiah 8:1-2 ).
2. Why was it significant that the people were gathered at the water gate to hear the Word? (Nehemiah 8:1 ).
3. Can God the Holy Spirit move people today, to ask for the reading and explanation of the Word of God? (Nehemiah 8:1 ).
4. What are the essentials of good teaching? (Nehemiah 8:3,7-8 ).
5. Do you believe this kind of teaching will result in attention and reverence today? (Nehemiah 8:3,5 ).
6. Would you expect that even in business, the joy of the Lord can be experienced as strength? (Nehemiah 8:10 ).
7. Is it out of the joy of the Lord that service flows? (Nehemiah 8:12 ).
8. Are you stirred to obedience and remembrance by the joy of the Lord? (Nehemiah 8:14; Leviticus 23:43 ).