Mennonite Weekly Review

“Did you know Watergate is in the Bible?” I remember hearing this teaser at a Christian rally back in the 1970s, when the Watergate cover-up and scandal rocked the foundations of the U.S. government and eventually brought down President Nixon. The speaker proved his point, though, citing this passage from Nehemiah about Ezra reading from the book of law at the Water Gate. The implication was clear: People could set their hearts right, and in turn their government, by returning to the reading of the Word of God.

Dueckman

Our memories may have faded some after more than three decades, but the Watergate scandal, with its intricacies of lying, deception and maliciousness, dominated the headlines during that era. Citizens became cynical, wondering which of their leaders were honest and which corrupt. Officials sworn to uphold the law instead fostered mistrust among the public.

Eager to hear the Law

The people of Jerusalem in this week’s reading also longed to find the place of the law in their society. They were so eager to hear the Law of Moses that they assembled inside the walls, and as one body asked to hear the Law read. And Ezra read it — from daybreak until noon. It’s hard to feature even the most devout of modern congregations having the patience and concentration to do this. Most of us have trouble concentrating much beyond a 20-minute sermon on a Sunday morning.

If we were to listen to our entire Bible read aloud, it would take something like 71 hours. That’s a little over 10 hours a day for an entire week. Picture yourself standing on your church grounds every day for a full week listening to Scripture being read. What effect do you think it might have on you?

Perhaps it was especially significant that the location chosen was the Water Gate. This was one of several openings in the wall that was potentially the weakest. It was a spot where the enemies would mostly likely choose to attack. Could we make a similar application, that familiarity with the Word of God in our own lives is the greatest protection against the attack of the enemy? The Word of God is meant to be heard and understood.

Joyful rededication

The people of Israel found this to be a time of great celebration as they rededicated themselves to an ancient tradition. Later in this chapter we read of the celebration of the feast of tabernacles, or booths, to be made of branches in which families would temporarily eat and sleep — maybe something like a relaxing camping trip. We are told, “Their joy was very great” (Neh. 8:17).

We began this quarter’s lessons with reading about the people of Israel setting apart a special day to celebrate the placing of the Ark of the Covenant in the temple, when David brought the Ark to Jerusalem in the presence of the people. We end now with another celebration of the presence of God, restoring the covenant community through recommitment to the law as Ezra reads in the presence of the people.

God is a God of covenants and relationships. May we continue in the covenant as we renew ourselves with corporate worship and the reading of the Word.