Nehemiah 8:8 –
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.
In this chapter everyone who could understand what was being read gathered to inside the West Gate to hear Ezra read the Book of the Law. I am not sure I know the literacy rate of this time, but assume it’s relatively low. Also, since reproduction of any book was very arduous, I assume there were few copies to read from anyway. How cool would it have been to hear a reading and then have time to understand what was being read and instructed?
Today we can download apps to our phone and have the Bible read to us at any time we desire. With the advent of the printing press, more copies and translations of the Bible exist today than any other book in history. With the printing press more people became literate and could read the Word on their own. On a positive note this opened God’s message to anyone who wants to read or hear it.
Imagine being in a mass of people many hearing this for the first time. Imaging the emotions that must flow! Have you ever been to a sermon where half the crowd is joyous and the other half is in tears? It’s like when we first received the “Word” in our hearts. Many are free and happy, where many cry like little babies. Imagine this happening with the nation of Israel. Even the ones who knew the word must have been swept in emotion. A good example is a baptism, many of the faithful cheer while many cry in joy. It must have been confusing for the children who saw emotions of all types, including crying with a smile!