Give Attention to Reading
Ponder: What do you do when God’s word is read?
Scripture: “The ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law” (Nehemiah 8:3 NJV).
In the congregation with which I assemble, we have a Scripture reading immediately before the sermon. Certainly it prepares everyone for the sermon, but it is also in keeping with Paul’s exhortation to Timothy: “Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13). Just as exhortation and doctrine (teaching) are public, so this reference is to the public reading of the Scriptures.
When God’s word is being read where you assemble, please follow along in your Bible. You will increase your comprehension and retain more. Remember, the Bible is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16). When the Scriptures are being read, it is just as though Jesus Himself were standing there speaking directly to you. Each of us ought to listen carefully and reverently.
Let us imitate Israel’s good attitude back in Ezra’s time. As he was publicly reading the Scriptures, “the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law” (Nehemiah 8:3). To show their respect, when Ezra opened the book, “all the people stood up” (8:5). By the way, this was not just a couple of verses being read. Ezra started early in the morning and read until noon! (8:3).
John the apostle pronounced a blessing upon those who read the Scriptures publicly. “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it” (Revelation 1:3a). Note that “he who reads” is singular, while “those who hear” and those who “keep those things” are plural. John is writing about the public reading of God’s word, especially the book of Revelation (though the application extends to all of the Bible).
Publicly reading the Bible is both a profound privilege and a solemn duty. The same goes for hearing and keeping (doing) what is written. In all that we do, let us strive to honor our God!
Song: “Give Me the Bible”
Prayer: Father, You have blessed us with the gift of Your word, translated into a language we understand, and easily available to us. Thank You for revealing your will. Help us, we pray, to treat your word with reverence and care whenever we read it or it is read to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Joe Slater (Justin, TX)