AWAKE, ARISE, AND TRIUMPH
Saturday – November 12, 2022, Cheshvan 18, 5783
FROM THE PROPHETS CHAMBER – WEEK NINETY-THREE
HERDMEN – PART THREE
Greetings precious brothers and sisters in Christ and welcome back to From the Prophets Chamber. Once again, for the third week I will be talking about “Pastors” or “Herdmen”. Please take a moment and share this teaching as widely as possible by every means available to you increasing our reach with the good news, the Truth. Thank you for sharing, you are a blessing to us, but more importantly to the Kingdom of God. Now, let’s turn our attention to our primary Bible text continuing to read out loud.
Jeremiah 3:15 (KJV)
15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
In previous weeks I have discussed how the ‘pastors’ are the ones in the Five-Fold Office of Pastor and the ones primarily responsible for the care (every aspect) of the herd (congregation). These leaders will have the mind of Christ, and will not only impart knowledge of the thoughts of God but cause the people to themselves think as God thinks. Now, I will have us bring our attention to focus on a familiar passage. As you may recall Nehemiah the King of Babylon’s cup bearer has been allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls. What we are about to witness is what we might call a dedication but as we will see it is much more.
Nehemiah 8:1-10 (KJV)
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.
2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
As we see in verses one and two the people all came together of their own accord and it was the first day of the seventh month. This date is important for it is the Feast of the Lord known as Rosh Hashanah or Feast of Trumpets. As we will soon see they came together not out of passion but out of duty or tradition. Look carefully at verse three. This meeting is ongoing for at least half a day, standing no less, and directed not just at men but men and women. On this day, the people were there to understand being attentive to the reading of the Book. When we gather, even now reading this teaching, are we listening to understand and implement into our lives? Notice in verse five the people honoring the opening of the Word of God by standing. Ezra blessed the Lord and all the people agreed and humbled themselves in their physical stance before the Lord (reflecting a humility of heart).
As we read verse seven let us reflect back on our primary Bible text of Jeremiah 3:15. The preachers caused the people to understand. Understanding brings about doing. Verse eight repeats the fact that the Anointing was there for the preachers (herdmen) to cause the people to understand. As we move into verse nine, we see the effect of understanding Scripture, it brings repentance, a 180-degree change of thought, speaking, and doing. Nehemiah, a herdmen, told the people to weep no more, go home rejoicing and prepare a great meal, and know that “the joy of the LORD is your strength”.
What brings joy to the Lord on this day and in our day? Notice the people were attentive, they listened and heard to have understanding. They repented for they saw how far off the mark, their sin, they were until that day. They were just going through the motions, what about us? True repentance brings great joy to the Lord and frees Him to be strong in our behalf. Let us also listen attentively to understand and do and thus enjoy the strengthening that comes from bringing joy to the Lord. As I conclude for today see how the following verse is also an illustration of this teaching.
2 Chronicles 16:9 (KJV)
9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
Lord willing, I will return next Saturday with fresh revelation.
2 Chronicles 20:20 b (KJV)
20 … Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
Receive the blessing in Jesus’ name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (MSG)
24 GOD bless you and keep you,
25 GOD smile on you and gift you,
26 GOD look you full in the face and make you prosper.
By: Dr. David R. Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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