And they read in the law of God distinctly out of the book, and gave the sense, and caused [them] to understand the reading.
After the wall went up, the returned exiles gathered as one body and called for the book of the law. This verse shows how they handled that reading: not just recited, but explained until the hearers took it in.
Why the Sense Had to Be Given
One writer explains why plain reading was not enough for these hearers, and draws two lessons from it:
Edward DennettRemember that the people had lived a long time in Babylon. Many of them, influenced by their surroundings, had adopted Babylonian habits and ways, and even the Babylonian language. The sacred language, the language of their fathers, had fallen out of use and in many cases had been forgotten... So they had to read the law distinctly, or with an interpretation, give the sense, and make the people understand the reading. All this is most instructive, in two ways. First, we learn that becoming like the world leads to forgetfulness and ignorance of the word of God. Second, the true function of the teacher is to give the sense of the Scriptures, to explain what they mean, and to make their hearers understand.
Three Steps in One Verse
The verse moves through three actions, each with its own reason. One writer takes them one at a time and links them to later instruction about speaking in the Christian assembly:
F. B. HoleFirst, they read the book distinctly. The words of that one precious book had to reach the ears of the people clearly. The people held no copies in their hands, so they could not check any mumbled or unclear reading. Second, they gave the sense. Over a thousand years the language may have changed, and many may have spoken Aramaic and known little of ancient Hebrew. Third, they made certain that the hearers really did understand the reading. This verse points forward to the instructions in 1 Corinthians 14 about speaking in the Christian assembly. Anyone who gives thanks, or prays, or ministers the word must make sure he himself knows what he is saying. He must also say it in a way his hearers understand.
The Word First, the Speaker Second
The order matters. The people met the text itself before anyone explained it, and one writer sees a common failure here among the Lord's workers:
H. L. RossierThey read distinctly; this is not unimportant. How often we see the Lord's workers read the Word in a low voice, too fast, or without care. Then they hurry on to speak their own words, as though hearing the word of God mattered less than hearing them. Here they did the opposite. First they brought the people into direct contact with the law. Then they gave its meaning. Last of all, they made the people understand it.
That puts real weight on the explanation itself. Ministry can misrepresent the very book it reads:
George DavisonIt is a very serious matter to read the Word of God and give a wrong impression from it. All true ministry increases the value of the Scriptures in the ears of those who listen.
Nobody Left Outside the Reading
The reading left nobody out. Men, women and children old enough to follow all heard it, and the scene was one of worship:
The Bible TreasuryEzra read the law "in the presence of the men and the women, and of those that could understand" (who might be quite young in years). Ezra read on a raised platform, with elders standing on either side. The people stood up at the opened book. Ezra blessed Jehovah, and they answered Amen, Amen with lifted hands, bowing in worship to the ground. And there was earnest service of priests and Levites to explain all that was heard... It was no empty superstitious ceremony.
What Understanding Produced
Explaining was not the end of it. What followed shows what happens when the word lands on hearts and consciences:
The Christian's FriendIn Nehemiah 8 two things come out — a deepening love for the Word of God, and intelligence in it... The word had great power that day on the hearts and consciences of the people. And what followed this real heart-searching? Blessing, of course... At verse 12 we read of great joy, "because they had understood the words that were declared to them." They wept, for they knew how weak they were. But joy filled their hearts, because God was their strength.
Summary
- Cause. Life in Babylon cost the people their own language and their grip on Scripture. Drifting toward the world ends in ignorance of God's word.
- Method. Read clearly, give the sense, then check the hearers grasped it. Three steps, in that order — and the text comes before the speaker's own words.
- Duty. The teacher's job is to explain what Scripture means. Careless handling leaves a wrong impression of the book itself.
- Reach. Men, women and children old enough to follow all stood and worshipped. The teaching was for everyone there.
- Result. Understanding cut deep enough to bring tears. Then it turned to joy, because they had understood the words declared to them.