OT Notes. Nehemiah 8 for Jan. 27

When the book is read, I am not sure is thy have translators or interpreters. Anyway, the words needed to be heard and understood. I think of the House of Interpreter in the Pilgrim's Progress.

1)Note how long he read. What does it say that we get complaints about 3 readings and a psalm.

2)The people want to hear the word-it was one of the things that held them together as a people.

3) v) 6 certainly has a number of  liturgical words and actions.

4) this was read in the early fall, the time for the festival of booth/tabernacles/dwellings.We are around the new year and soon the water ritual could have peen practiced in the pool of Siloam and soon Simchat torah would be celebrated. One of the Chaim Potok books, probably the firs tone about the artist as a young man has a great evocation of this celebration.

5) How could we develop a thirst for Holy Writ, or is it pure gift? Can we at least develop open minds and hearts toward it?

6_ The ending can be read in different ways-look at the working preacher piece by Patricia Tull. At any rate, it seems our worship[ either tries to force joy or more easily falls in a lamenting form, if not in words, in feel.
In a way, it could be a good blessing for people on the way to a graveside to a mercy lunch.