What Does the Preacher See?
By Micky Galloway

In 586 B.C. when Babylon took the southern kingdom into captivity, Nebuchadnezzar's army virtually destroyed the city of Jerusalem. In 536 B.C. the Lord stirred up Cyrus, the king of the Persians, and he made a decree allowing the Jews to return to their homeland. In 520-516 B.C. Ezra led a group back, and they rebuilt the temple. About 444 B.C. King Artaxerxes commissioned Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls.

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 city walls (2:3-8). Having received the King's good will, no doubt in answer to his prayer (1:4-11), Nehemiah sprung 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 52 days, and it caused the other nations to fear (6:15-16).

In Nehemiah 8:1-9, we read that the people assembled from early morning until midday to hear Ezra read God's word 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 reverenced 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 they could see and hear him. However, as the people could see Ezra, so likewise, Ezra could see the people and observe their response to the reading of God's law. What did the preacher see? "And Ezra blessed Jehovah, the great God. And all the people answered, 'Amen, Amen,' with the lifting up of their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped Jehovah with their faces to the ground." (8:6) "All the people wept, when they heard the words of the law." (8:9) Verse 13 tells us that on the second day, many 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 confess their sins.

Today, in a similar way, we prepare a pulpit for the preacher to stand in front of the people so they can see and hear him. But what does the preacher see? He sees some things that are very encouraging. But he (and others) sees some things that 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 on God's word.

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 almighty God's words.

The preacher sees some who weep because the word of God pricks their tender consciences, or because 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 Jerusalem, "He saw the city and wept over it." (Luke 19:41) Peter, remembering the Lord's words, "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.

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." (2 Timothy 2:15) But sometimes the preacher sees folks passing personal notes and playing games--Sodoku, tic-tac-toe, or hangman (evidenced by trash left in the seats). Sometimes the preacher sees people wearing headsets (not to amplify the sermon). Such distractions indicate that these people are not really interested in learning, repenting, or correcting their sins.

The preacher sees that some have prepared 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 put considerable effort into being ready for this important occasion. Sometimes, however, the preacher sees some who are not prepared for worship. Some wait until it is time to worship to go to the restroom or get a drink, so they interrupt the lesson by going in and out. Sometimes the preacher sees people gathered in the hallway apparently not having made preparation to "hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord."

There are many distractions when we come together for worship. 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. 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)

To Micky's words, I add a hearty AMEN! Those who can do better but are more interested in themselves than God should take a hard look at themselves. Why do we come to worship? Do we care that our actions can distract others who want to hear and learn? You're not interrupting or disrespecting the preacher; you're interrupting and disrespecting God! (KMG)


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