Nehemiah 8:4
“And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose…”
What Was Happening in the Passage
God’s people had not listened to His Word for a long time. They had lived many years doing what they wanted instead of what God said. Now they were gathered together, and Ezra stood on a wooden platform so everyone could see and hear the Scriptures. The people were quiet. They were ready. They wanted to hear God’s voice again. The platform was built on purpose — because the Word of God was about to be lifted up in front of everyone.
What This Teaches Us About God
God speaks through His Word, and He wants His people to hear Him clearly. When His Word is ignored, people get confused, lost, and hurt. But when His Word is lifted up, God shows His love, His truth, and His ways.
God is not silent. He wants us to know Him, and He gives us His Word so we can walk in light and not in darkness.
How This Leads Us to Jesus
Jesus is the living Word of God. The Bible tells us, “Search the scriptures… they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)
Everything in the Scriptures points to Him.
And Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32)
Just like Ezra stood on a wooden platform to lift up God’s Word, Jesus was lifted up on a wooden cross so the whole world could see God’s love. When we lift up the Bible, we are really lifting up Jesus — the One who saves us, teaches us, and leads us.
What This Means for Our Hearts
When we lower the Bible in our lives — when we don’t read it, don’t listen to it, or don’t obey it — our hearts get weak and confused. But when we lift the Bible high — when we read it, love it, and follow it — our hearts grow strong.
God gives us light, courage, and hope. He helps us stay close to Jesus. Lifting up the Word means we want Jesus to guide everything we do.
Words to Know
Scripture — God’s written Word, the Bible. Testify — to point to or show the truth about someone. Lifted up — raised high so everyone can see; Jesus used this to describe His death on the cross. Revival — when God wakes up our hearts to love Him again.