Reading about the assembly led by Ezra in the book in Nehemiah today, I thought it was interesting how similar the description was to what we see in a lot of modern preaching scenarios.

Nehemiah 8:1-8:

“And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose… And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Also… the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

Of course it probably looked very little like a modern church service. But, it’s interesting to see the similarities. “Early morning to mid-day” (church is usually in the morning), “all who could understand” were present (nursery?), “Ezra stood on a wooden platform” (the pulpit) “The Levites helped the people to understand” (the sermon).

I think that’s pretty interesting.