They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. (Neh. 8:8)
We live in a time when most people don’t like reading. Many prefer listening, or even better, watching. Our digital age makes listening and watching so easy, but it also makes it almost impossible to read. There is a place for both listening and watching, but I believe our generation needs to be encouraged to read more. There is something about reading that must not escape our attention.
God expects us to read.
This is why He has given us His Word in written form. His law is written down in a book and we are told about people reading it. In the verse above, Nehemiah records that these Israelites read out loud for the people. They read what God had written, for they knew that these things were written down for our instruction (1 Cor. 10:11). The Bible is written to be read. It is given for our instruction and guidance in godliness and holy living. If we want to know what the will of God is, then we must go to the Bible. Throughout the Scriptures, we see people reading—the law, the statutes, letters, books, scrolls, or parchments.
Reading is an exercise of the mind that God has given us.
Reading requires interpretation. For this reason, it can be hard work. Note from Nehemiah 8 that the Book of the Law was read clearly, and the leaders explained to the people what it meant. We need to know what we have been reading. We have to make sense of it and interpret it correctly. The Bible contains arguments, reasons, illustrations, parables, poetry, stories, and descriptions that we can make sense of, and this often requires much study and diligence.
Reading is an exercise in dependence on God.
Reading requires hard work, but it also requires the Spirit’s assistance. We need the illumination of the Spirit to understand. Human senses fail to grasp what proceeds from the mouth and mind of God. Divine revelation needs divine intervention for understanding. We should call upon the Holy Spirit who gave it (2 Peter 1:21) to enable us to make sense of it. We should read prayerfully. The Holy Spirit illumines the Scriptures so that we reap spiritual benefits out of it. We should pray that the Lord would open our eyes, give understanding, and grant the right perception and response. In this way, reading encourages prayer, and prayer encourages reading.
Reading is a gateway to understanding.
Reading is not an exercise in futility; it has a goal. Reading is aimed at helping us to understand what the Lord God has written for us. To understand is to come to terms with knowledge, to grasp instruction, to fear threats, to be enthused by encouragements, to be edified by teaching, to be stopped by warnings, and to be relieved by consolations and comforts. When we understand, then we conduct ourselves accordingly.
Reading stirs up obedience.
We read to obey. No understanding has been gained if there is no change of conduct in accordance with what we read. Obedience is the evidence of understanding. When instructions are understood, it is expected that they will be carried out faithfully. Understanding is demonstrated by obedience. Paul rejoiced at the obedience of the Roman church: “For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you” (Rom. 16:19).
Let me offer a few specific applications in light of these encouragements to read.
To Individuals:
Take up and read as often as you can. When you wake up, you can make time to read your Bible. When you are doing manual tasks such as washing dishes or driving your car, you can listen to God’s Word. You can have a dedicated time to read every day. Perhaps you can read through the Bible at least once a year. Invest time and money in good Christian books. There are many solid publishers out there. We need more publishing houses that care about the truth.
To Local Churches:
Public reading of the Scriptures is one of the elements of corporate worship. Paul tells Timothy, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (1 Tim. 4:13). At our church, we read a chapter from the Bible every worship service. If this is done consistently, in less than ten years, we will have read through the entire Bible. If every congregation did this, then biblical literacy would be given a huge boost. I believe the high rate of gullibility among professing Christians has to do with a general biblical illiteracy. Therefore, those who lead in public reading need to read clearly. The diction must be articulate. The voice must be projected to be audible by all those present. Everything that aids in both hearing and understanding needs to be employed for clarity. This is how the voice of God can be heard by His people. This is how the will of God is revealed to the gathered church of Christ.
In conclusion, be diligent and do your best with the time and resources that the Lord has given you. And, above all, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).