The Nugget:
Nehemiah 8:1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.
My Comment:
All should desire to hear the Scriptures (The New Topical Textbook, topic “The Scriptures,” page 240). The people in Nehemiah’s day were very eager to hear the reading of God’s Word. They asked Ezra to “bring the book.” We ought to be just as eager as they were to hear and receive God’s Word in the Bible. We have the great advantage in our day that our Bibles are conveniently portable, and we all know how to read. God’s Word is only found in the Bible. God’s Word can exert a powerful influence for good in your life if you will take time to read it. I suggest reading the Bible daily. You can start small–reading even five minutes a day will prove helpful. If you are generally acquainted with the Bible, start at Matthew in the New Testament and read straight through to the book of Revelation. If you are not very acquainted with the Bible, start with the Gospel of Mark, the second book in the New Testament. I suggest that because Mark is shorter and easier to understand. As a teenager I kept a plain paper marker in my New Testament and kept a written record on it, recording the chapter and verse where I stopped reading each day. I did not limit myself to just five minutes a day. I devoted twenty minutes a day before starting on my homework. I read at other times as there was opportunity. I would say not only should all desire to hear the Scriptures–I think everyone should desire to read them for themselves. Encourage others in your circle of influence to read the Bible. Bible reading will greatly enrich your life and the life of anyone who will read the Bible. Bible reading will encourage you spiritually. It will keep you on the right road. It will provide guidance for your life. It will provide you with encouragement and erase depression. It will give you a much better grasp of why God has placed us here and what His plans are. The more you read the Bible, the more interesting the Bible will become. If you are not reading your Bible regularly, start today.
For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:
(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 473 for Nehemiah 8:1.
(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 532 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Nehemiah 8:1.
(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:
Nehemiah 8:1. A.M. 3559. B.C. 445. all the people. Ezr 3:1-5. gathered. Le 8:3. 9:5. Zp 2:1. Jn 11:55. as one man. Jg 20:1, 8. before. ver. Ne 8:16. Ne 3:26. 12:37. 2 Ch 32:6. gate. FS171S7B, +Ge 14:7. they spake. T#1077. Ezra. ver. Ne 8:4-9. *Ezr 7:6, 10, 11, 25. Je 8:8, 9. Mt 13:52. 23:2, 13, 34. the scribe. 1 Ch 24:6. bring the book. Dt 31:11. 2 K 22:10. 23:2. 2 Ch 17:9. 34:15. **Is 8:20. Ml 4:4. of the law of Moses. Dt 31:26. 33:10. +*Jsh 1:8. 2 K 22:8. 23:2. **+2 Ch 17:9. Ezk 44:24. Ac 15:21. Ga 3:10.
neh 8.1 And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front
of the water gate, and they asked ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of
moses which the Lord had given to Israel.
encouraging cross refs. ( the best commentary on the bible is the bible)
1. isa 8.20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to
his word, it is because they have no dawn.
2. mal 4.4 Remember the law of Moses my servant, even the statues and ordinances
which i commanded him in Horeb for all Israel.