Public Reading of the Law

By Cameron Magby

Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 7:73b, Nehemiah 8:1-18, Deuteronomy 10:12-22, 1 John 2:3-6

Twice in this passage, something happens that we don’t expect. These two surprises teach us something about ourselves and about God’s commands.

The first one happens when Ezra was reading from the book of the Law. As he read, we see an unexpected response from the people: weeping (Nehemiah 8:9). As they heard the commands and statutes of the Lord read to them, they were overcome with grief.

Why? Because what this story reveals about us is that we are broken and sinful people. When the mirror of God’s Word is held up to our lives, what we often see is where we have fallen short. When this is revealed through the Holy Spirit, we call it conviction. In His grace, God is showing us our sin so that we may repent. That’s a big part of what the people of Israel were experiencing here.

But the second surprise is Nehemiah’s response. Because when the people were grieving, Nehemiah threw a curveball: He ordered a celebration (vv.9–10).

This wasn’t a diversion tactic. Nehemiah wasn’t treating the people like parents sometimes treat children, distracting them with fun so that they’ll calm down. At this moment, Nehemiah was teaching the people something about God’s commands: They are not burdensome but life-giving.

This truth is taught to us throughout Scripture. When Moses gave his final charge to the people of Israel before they entered the promised land, he reminded them “Keep the Lord’s commands and statutes I am giving you today, for your own good” (Deuteronomy 10:13). God’s commands are good for us because He loves us.

We can’t and won’t keep His commands on our own because of our sin. But in Christ’s perfect life, death, and resurrection, we are given the power to obey God’s commands with joy and experience life the way He means for us to live it. That’s why Jesus says “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance” (John 10:10).

A transformed life is marked by obedience to God’s commands. It’s an outflow of the grace and mercy that have been shown to us. When we belong to Christ, our affections are stirred toward obedience (John 2:3) because our view of God has shifted. He’s not a tyrant. He’s not the fun police with a giant list of rules that we have to follow. He’s a good, loving, gracious Father who gives us life in abundance. That life is found in the gospel, revealed in His Word and through His commands. So we joyfully obey, not to earn His love, but because of His love shown to us in Jesus.

Obedience isn’t burdensome. It allows us to experience life. Let’s continue to view Scripture through that lens as we read.

Written by Cameron Magby