Today
I have a friend who loves to quote Ecclesiastes 7:10, “Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ Wisdom would not lead you to ask such a question.” (EHV) He also quotes other fairly obscure passages that no one pays attention to either.
The Old Testament reading for this past Sunday was Nehemiah 8:1–3,5–6, 8–10. It is about Ezra reading the Book of the Law of Moses. One thing that struck me (among others) is that “all the people were crying as they heard the words of the Law.” (v 9) Now the cynical comedian in me would say they were crying because they had been standing listening to the reading from dawn until midday. (v 3) If you scroll back a page to the end of chapter 7, you will see that there were about 50,000 people assembled. These are the exiles that returned from Babylon. They lived through the exile, and now were hearing the promises and understanding (with the help of the Levites) the Law of God. (v 8) Nehemiah declared, “Today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (v 10) How do we react when the Word of God is read to us? Apathy is one possible answer.
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. If only you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+3&version=EHV>
Let’s contrast this with the associated Gospel reading, Luke 4: 14-30. The population of Nazareth was probably about 400. Jesus, in the synagogue, read from the prophet Isaiah. Those people: “All spoke well of him and were impressed by the words of grace that came from his mouth.” (v 22) What exactly changed them to being “filled with rage”? (v 28) Was it because Jesus wouldn’t perform miracles for them? Or something else? Again, I ask, how do we react to the Word of God? Have you been hot, “filled with rage” at the Word of God? Here is a complex thought: The Word made flesh reading the Word of God! The Good News proclaimed to the poor, the captives, the oppressed as promised and fulfilled! Fulfilled in their hearing, and in your hearing!
What would it have been like to be with Ezra and Nehemiah newly returned to the Promised Land, hearing the Word proclaimed? What would it have been like to be in that Nazareth synagogue with the Living Word proclaiming the Word? Remember my friend’s Ecclesiastes quote? To look forward, we must look back; but we must not lament the former days, that is not wise. The Word promised he would be with us always, he even sent the Holy Spirit.
Why were the former days better than these? Today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength. Today, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.
Trust the Promises
Steve Skiver