Bible Characters – Part 20
Series – December 2024 – Grace & Truth Magazine
Bible Characters
Gleanings From The Old Testament
Part 20
Ezra At The Water Gate
Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. —Nehemiah 8:1 NKJV
Revival Times
The books of Ezra and Nehemiah take us back to a wonderful time of spiritual revival. This was when a remnant of the people of God returned from the Babylonian captivity to the land God had promised to them, as the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They came to Jerusalem, the city where the L ORD chose to make His name abide. There, they sought to restore the temple worship and rebuild the city.
The order in which this was undertaken is very interesting. From a human point of view it would have been logical to start from the outside, that is, with the city wall and then to proceed with the restoration of the temple. But they did exactly the opposite; they started from within. The remnant began with the center of worship, by rebuilding the altar on its foundations and then laying the foundation of the temple. Thanks to the actions of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, these tasks were completed after a long interruption and much opposition. Finally, about 13 years later, in the days of Nehemiah, work on Jerusalem’s walls and gates began. Nehemiah saw the fruit of his efforts when the walls were consecrated, with music and singing (Neh. 12).
There is yet another important feature of this time of return and revival: a renewed interest in the Word of God. God’s Word was granted its rightful place and its light was put on the lamp stand again (consider Ps. 119:130). In Nehemiah 8 we see the people gathered around the Word, listening attentively to its message. No one was missing; all the people had gathered like one man, and during many hours they listened to the law being read. “The ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law” (v.3). In this we find that the return of the remnant to Jerusalem was at the same time a return to God’s Word and the seeking of His will. The people woke up, so to speak, when they heard the trumpet call of God’s Word. In all this, Ezra the scribe played an important role (see Ezra 7:10). God put His Word into a place of prominence before the Israelites, that it might get their full attention and be impressed upon their hearts.
Another valuable matter to note is the location where the people gathered to hear the reading of the Word, as it was in perfect harmony with the purpose of the meeting. It took place on the square in front of the Water Gate, which speaks of the cleansing work of the Word of God (consider Jn. 15:3; Eph. 5:26). Gates were also places where justice was administered and oaths were taken. Metaphorically speaking, the people put themselves under the authority of the Word and subjected themselves to the washing of water by the Word.
The Feast Of Trumpets
It is also important to consider the timing of this event. They gathered “in front of the Water Gate … on the first day of the seventh month” (Neh. 8:1-2). This was an important day in the cycle of annual feasts as it marked the beginning of the final series of feasts after the ingathering of the harvest. On this day they celebrated the Feast of Trumpets, which was followed by the Day of Atonement on the tenth and the Feast of Tabernacles from the 15th to the 22nd of the same month. According to Leviticus 23:23-24, this first day of the new month was heralded by the blowing of trumpets.
Applying this to ourselves, we may say that the trumpet of the Word is being heard again, causing a spiritual awakening among the remnant of faithful believers. They have ears to hear what the Spirit has to say to the Church (consider Rev. 2–3). It is the first day of the seventh month – a new beginning followed by increasing light in a time when God’s ways are nearing their completion, as the number seven speaks of perfection.
While the Day of Atonement is not specifically mentioned in Nehemiah 8, we find the Feast of Tabernacles there. God’s people kept this feast for seven days, in accordance with the commandment read to them on the second day (vv.13-18). It was the last of the seven feasts of the Lord, an occasion of gratitude and joy because of all the blessings received in the Promised Land. They also remembered God’s goodness in the past, including their redemption from Egypt (Ex. 23:16; Lev. 23:43; Dt. 16:15).
On this first day of the seventh month, when the Feast of Trumpets took place, the Word of God was given a prominent place in the midst of God’s people. A platform of wood was made for Ezra and his assistants, and all the people stood up in reverence when the book of the law was opened (Neh. 8:4-5). Everyone witnessed this solemn act, and then they humbly bowed “with their faces to the ground” (v.6). What an impressive sight this must have been! Such reverence and gratitude for the opening of God’s Word is very meaningful for us as well.
In the assistants of Ezra we may see a picture of the various gifts which the Lord has given to the Church: the shepherds and the teachers who explain the Word (vv.4,7). Ministering the Word of God is true Levitical service, and from the many names listed in these verses we learn that God appreciated the work of them all.
Another point to which I would like to draw our attention is the impact of the Word of God on those who listened: they became true doers of the Word. On the one hand, they humbled themselves because they realized their unfaithfulness, their turning away from God. They mourned and “wept, when they heard the words of the law” (v.9). On the other hand, they rejoiced in the LORD because of what He still granted to the remnant of His people. There was great gladness in obeying the law, His revealed Word (vv.10,12,17). In this respect this chapter bears a striking resemblance to Ezra 3, where we find both shouting for joy and weeping with a loud voice when the foundation of the new temple was being laid.
Does the Word of God not always have this twofold impact? On the one hand we need to be admonished, and on the other hand we need to be comforted. We need to humble ourselves, and we need to be strengthened and edified in our faith. “The joy of the Lord is [our] strength” (v.10). God’s Word is as sweet as honey in our mouth, but in our hearts it produces bitter regret and godly sorrow (consider Ezek. 2:8–3:3; Rev. 10:9-10).
The Feast Of Tabernacles
The interest in the Word of God was not temporary. One day of Bible study was not enough! There was another gathering the next day, during which they searched the Scriptures and found the instructions concerning the Feast of Tabernacles (vv.13-14). They immediately acted in accordance with what they had read and set out to make preparations to keep this feast.
As we have already noted, the Day of Atonement, the tenth day of the seventh month, is not mentioned here, but the remnant of Israel had already shown their readiness to humble themselves, as prescribed for that day (Lev. 23:27-32; Neh. 8:9). For Israel, the fulfillment of this great event is as yet future. The great Day of Atonement will come when Christ will return from heaven, when His people will look on Him whom they have pierced and will mourn for Him (Zech. 12:10). After that, the great Feast of Tabernacles will follow: a millennium of gratitude and joy because of all the blessings God has prepared for His people.
The gathering in front of the Water Gate resulted in the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, both in Jerusalem and in other places. The trumpet call to hear God’s Word had wonderful results. His Word continued to occupy a central place day by day. From the first day of the feast until the last, Ezra “read from the Book of the Law of God” (Neh. 8:18). May God grant us this same desire to hear His Word, that our prayer may be, “Let me hear Your Word continually!”
Physically we can be in the place after God’s mind, separated from the idols of Babylon. We may set up the Lord’s table and gather to His name alone in the acknowledgement of His authority and of the liberty of the Holy Spirit. In a sense, we may try to rebuild the house of God and the city of God, the temple of the living God, so others can see what the Church should be like. But will it be to our benefit if, at the same time, we do not have this intense desire to hear the Word of God and to act accordingly? That is what characterizes a true spiritual awakening!
By Hugo Bouter (adapted)
Look for Part 21 of this Series next month.