"So
on October 8 Ezra THE PRIEST brought THE BOOK of the LAW before THE ASSEMBLY
which included the MEN and WOMEN and all the CHILDREN old enough to understand. 3 He faced the square just inside the Water Gate
from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand.
All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law. 4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden
platform that had been made for the occasion….
5 Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the
people. When they saw him open the book,
they all rose to their feet.
6 Then Ezra PRAISED THE LORD, THE GREAT GOD, and all the people chanted, “AMEN! AMEN!”
as they LIFTED THEIR HANDS. Then they BOWED DOWN and WORSHIPED THE LORD with their faces to the ground.
7 The Levites… then instructed the people in the
Law while everyone remained in their places. 8 They READ from
the Book of the LAW of GOD and CLEARLY EXPLAINED the MEANING of what was being
read, helping the people understand each passage. 9 Then
Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were
interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as
this! For TODAY IS A SACRED DAY before THE LORD
your GOD.” For the people had all been WEEPING as they LISTENED to THE WORDS of
THE LAW. 10 And Nehemiah continued, “GO and CELEBRATE with a
feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, AND SHARE gifts of FOOD with people WHO
HAVE NOTHING prepared. THIS IS A SACRED DAY before our LORD. Don’t be dejected
and sad, for THE JOY OF THE LORD
IS YOUR STRENGTH!”
A few things come to mind here,
because although this is found in The Bible since prior to my conversion almost
eighteen years ago, I had no idea The Bible would give such details. But this
is an example of what a given Sunday which is the day the majority of people
here in America worships, should look like, during and after church service.
· The priest, in our case, our Pastor, brings up the Word of
God, before all men, women and children.
· People listens CLOSELY.
· The Pastor stands up in the pulpit.
· As he opens THE BOOK – THE BIBLE, people STANDS UP in
respect to THE WORD of GOD.
· As the Pastor praises THE LORD, people RESPOND with AMEN’s, lifting
their hands, and bowing down in worship to our Most High God (for some
congregations this could be a bit “extravagant” worship)
· Sunday school like teaching follows
· Almost to an Alter call
· At the closing everyone is encouraged to go on a family
luncheon inviting those less fortunate with you
· A final reminder to watch out what we do on this sacred day,
for is not a time to be sad but a time to rejoice in THE LORD who had given it
to us, and in HIM is our strength.
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