Nehemiah 8:8 “They read
from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that
the people understood the reading”.
Although no one can obey the
Ten Commandments or, indeed, any of God’s law perfectly, all of the Lord’s
commandments still play a key role in the lives of sinners. God, in fact, wants
the Ten Commandments “preached pointedly”, because our Creator desires for His
people to understand His statutes.
First, let us consider the
biblical evidence that God wants church leaders to preach and teach His
commandments. Nehemiah 8:8, for
example, records Ezra’s reading of the Mosaic law to the Israelites after they
returned from exile. The author clearly approves of this act, as well as the
Levites’ explanation of God’s rules to Israel. In reading the commandments,
Ezra and the Levites fulfilled the command in Deuteronomy 31:9-13 to preach and
teach regularly the Mosaic law. Moreover, lest we think that teaching the law
of God was appropriate only under the old covenant, we must remember that the
New Testament is filled with expositions of the Lord’s statutes. In the Sermon
on the Mount in Matthew 5:17-48, Jesus illustrates the proper application of
God’s law. Apostolic teaching assumes the abiding validity of the Ten
Commandments.
But why does God want His
law preached regularly under the new covenant? Nehemiah 8:8 also helps answer this question. When Ezra read the
commandments to the Israelites, “all the people wept” under conviction of their
sin. This covenant community included regenerate people, so we see the ongoing
function of the law of God to remind us of our sin and weakness, and to drive
us to repentance. The Lord’s commandments drive us to Christ when we are
converted, but they continue to do so throughout our walk with Jesus as they
confront us in our sin and point us to the cross for forgiveness.
Believers who are confronted
with their sin in the preaching of God’s law are never left to wallow in their
misery. As the Spirit convicts us and drives us to the cross, He also assures
us that we are free and forgiven in Christ Jesus. In turn, this causes us to
rejoice exceedingly, in greater measure than even the Israelites did when they
were assured of their pardon.
Romans 6:23 “For the
wages of sin is death, but the gift of
God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Matthew Henry comments on Nehemiah 8:8 that “those who tremble at
the convictions of the word may triumph in the consolation of it.” We can
rejoice in the Lord’s grace and forgiveness only if we first understand our
need for the gospel and His pardon. We must realize that we are lost in sin
before we can be found and saved in Christ. Many proclaim the wonders of God’s
grace and their peace with the Lord without acknowledging their sin. Such individuals
have a false peace and do not truly understand their need for the Lord’s work.
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