What Does The Preacher See?

by Micky Galloway

When the southern kingdom had been taken captive by Babylon in 586 BC, the city of Jerusalem was virtually destroyed. Cyrus, the king of the Persians, was stirred up by the Lord and made a decree in 536 BC allowing the Jews to return to their homeland. Ezra led a group back and in 520-516 BC the temple was rebuilt. Nehemiah was commissioned about 444 BC by Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of the city.

Nehemiah, a man with a purpose, focused on the work to be done. He petitioned the king to send him to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of the city (2:3-8). Having received the good will of the king, no doubt in answer to his prayer (1:4-11), Nehemiah went into action. When he arrived in the land, he rallied the people saying, “Let us rise up and build …” (2:18). Nehemiah led the people with zeal and enthusiasm for, “the people had a mind to work” (4:6). The wall was finished in fifty-two days and the nations were caused to fear (6:15-16).

In Neh. 8:1-9 the people assembled from early morning until midday to hear God’s word read to them. The text tells us, “And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which 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 when he opened it, all the people stood up.” They revered the occasion to hear God’s word.

Please note that the purpose of the pulpit was for Ezra to stand upon it above all the people so he could be seen and heard. However, as the people could see Ezra, so likewise, Ezra could see them and observe their response to the reading of God’s law. What did the preacher see? The people lifted “up of their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped Jehovah with their faces to the ground …” (8:6) and “all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law” (8:9). Verse 13 tells us that on the second day, many were gathered together “to give attention to the words of the law.” Ezra could see these things. Indeed, the people learned many things, repented and began to make confession of their sins.

In a similar way today, we prepare a pulpit for the preacher to stand in front of the people so he can be seen and heard. But what does the preacher see? Some of the things the preacher sees are very encouraging. Some of the things the preacher and others see need to be brought to our attention and corrected.

The preacher sees heads bowed in reverence and study, meditating upon what is taught. Certainly we are to meditate upon God’s word. “I will meditate on thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.” “Princes also sat and talked against me; (but) thy servant did meditate on thy statutes.” “Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I meditate on thy wondrous works.” “I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate on thy statutes.” “Let the proud be put to shame; for they have overthrown me wrongfully: (but) I will meditate on thy precepts.” “Mine eyes anticipated the night-watches, that I might meditate on thy word” (Psalms 119:15, 23, 27, 48, 78, 148). Indeed, we are “to give attention to the words of the law.” However, it is not uncommon for the preacher to see folks with their heads bowed in sleep, not paying attention to the mighty words of God.

The preacher sees some who weep because the word of God pricks their tender consciences or they are troubled by the application of God’s word to someone they love. Indeed, Israel “wept, when they heard the words of the law” and “stood and confessed their iniquities” (cf. 9:1-3). As Jesus came into the city of Jerusalem, “he saw the city and wept over it” (Luke 19:41). Peter remembering the words of the Lord, “how that he said unto him, Before the cock crow this day thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:61-62). However, it is not uncommon for the preacher to see folks laughing and picking at each other, obviously not paying attention.

The preacher sees some who are taking notes, studying or as Paul said, “Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15). But sometimes the preacher sees folks passing personal notes, playing games, Sudoku, tic-tac-toe, or hangman (evidenced from trash left in the seats). Sometimes the preacher sees people wearing headsets (not used to amplify the sermon). Such distractions indicate that these are not really interested in learning, repenting, or correcting sin.

The preacher sees that some have made preparation to study and worship. In Acts 10:23-33 Peter saw that Cornelius had called together his kinsmen and his near friends and was ready and waiting to “hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord.” Cornelius had made considerable effort to be ready for this important occasion. Sometimes, however, the preacher sees some not so prepared for worship. Some wait until it is time to worship to go to the restroom or get a drink and interrupt the lesson going in and out. Sometimes the preacher sees people gathered in the hallway apparently not having made preparation earlier to “hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord.”

There are many distractions when we come together. I am not talking about those who have to care for small children, or those with physical ailments that sometimes hinder their focusing on the lesson. These are to be commended for their commitment. But unnecessary distractions are unacceptable. These need to be brought to our attention and corrected. They hinder the quality of our worship. “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God; for to draw nigh to hear is better than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they know not that they do evil” (Ecclesiastes 5:1).