At what time and place did the people assemble themselves together, and what precept had they an eye to in this affair? Lev. 23.23—25.
Who took the lead in improving the occasion for the instruction of the people ? N. B. " Some conjecture that Ezra had been at Babylon during the preceding events in which his name is not mentioned ; and that he had lately returned : but perhaps he had been privately occupied in his own line for the good of the people, and was well satisfied to leave public affairs entirely to Nehemiah." Scott.
Were the children also present, and what may we infer from this as to the duty of parents?
How long was the reading continued, and is this to be considered as a rule for us at present?
What arrangements were made for the convenience of Ezra and his associates on this occasion?
Was the bringing forth of the sacred volume attended with peculiar solemnity?
What other passage has a degree of similarity to this? Rev. 5.9.
What services were performed preparatory to the reading, and how did they make provision, that all the immense congregation might be able to hear?
What did they do besides merely reading the law? N.B. This "giving the sense" is supposed to be rather expounding, than translating the selected portions of the law.
Ought the exposition cf the Scriptures ever to be esteemed an important part of public worship?
How were the people affected on hearing the words of the law, and what charges did Nehemiah and Ezra give them? N.B. In contrast with this "sending portions" by reason of what they had now learned with joy from the word of God, we find those who (Rev. 11. 10.) slew the "two witnesses," i. e. suppressed the light of the Scriptures, the two witnessing; Testaments, together with that line of faithful pastors and teachers, whose testimony corresponded with them, rejoicing over their dead bodies, making merry, and sending gifts one to another. So different is the Spirit of Christ, from that of Antichrist; The one glorying in the light of divine truth, the other rejoicing in its extinction!
What occurred on the second day, and to what did it lead ? v. 13—18.
Do we learn from prophecy that this is typical of something which will occur in the period of the latter-day glory? Zech. 14.16—19.
Is the long previous disuse of any divine ordinance a sufficient reason for neglecting to restore the observance of it?
< Previous | Index | Next >