Reading -- Commanded and Expected by God

Reading is commanded, encouraged and expected by God. As an example, we can consider the kings of Israel. According to Deuteronomy 17:18 and following, the king was to write out a copy of the law for himself and then he was to keep it with him always and read it every day. The purpose of this expectation was so that he would learn “to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.”

Also in the book of Deuteronomy we find that every seven years there was to be a public meeting where all of the men, women, children and strangers were to be in attendance. At this meeting, the book of the law would be read to the people so that they may hear, learn and do what was written in it.

In Nehemiah 8, we read of Ezra calling the people together for one of these meetings. As they stood there, he read to them distinctly the words of the law. As the passages were read, they were explained to the people so that they would understand the reading that was taking place. In verse 3 we find that they read from morning until midday. Nehemiah 9:3 says that they did this for one-fourth of the day on the following day.

Can you imagine people in our culture being able to pay attention for several hours as a book was read to them while they were standing? We have moved a long way from that kind of culture and yet God has chosen to speak to His people through the word. He doesn’t use videos and five-minute nuggets. What this says to me is that we need to work diligently to preserve and increase our ability to attend to the written word. We need to make sure that our children are able to do the same. If they are not able to read or listen to the Word of God, then they will not hear from God and be saved. This is not an issue of minor importance. Take up the challenge and cut down on the amount of input you have in your life from TV, cell phones, and the like and set aside some time for just you and God and His Word and see what positive changes will result in your life.