On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding. While he was facing the square in front of the Water Gate, he read out of it from daybreak until noon before the men, the women, and those who could understand. All the people listened attentively to the book of the law. Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform made for this purpose. Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah stood beside him on his right; to his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. (Nehemiah 8:2-4)

How attentively to you listen to God and His Word? Consider how you listen: Do you want to understand so that something makes sense to you or you can prove a point, or are you willing to change your preconceived notions and assumptions and understand as God reveals?

Today’s Challenge: Read God’s Word in public today.