Hearing with Understanding

Nehemiah 8:2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

The law must not just be heard, but also understood. There is need to explain what the law means and what it does not mean … how it applies and does not apply. The priest brought the law, not just anybody. They had a chief ethical officer to guide them in interpretation and application. For example, it is not enough to say that operations forbid bribery, but it helps to explain both the giver and taker are guilty … it also needs to be clear that even if the bribery is not consummated, the suggestion constitutes violation of standards.

Standards can be carefully communicated with seminars involving case examples so that ideas are well embedded in the minds of people. An organization can use simple surveys to test understanding during orientation seminars.

Education and awareness sessions are required to ensure that people understand and not just hearing. Many of these education and awareness events need to be regularly repeated. Citizens cannot be expected to know and understand laws that have not been well explained to them.

For Nehemiah, hearing and understanding the laws of God were to be first major steps as the people settled in their houses.

Verses for further meditation

Joshua 1:8 ; Psalm 1:2

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leaders know that principles require explanation, understanding and constant repetition to help the people in adhering to them.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, help us to understand how you want your ways to be applied in our nation, community, family or business. Amen

As Nehemiah’s wall was built,  so will we see a reconstruction in all that may appear in distress and in waste.  Nehemiah trusted and feared God, putting his faith in the Almighty whose strength is limitless to exceed all our expectations. Look out daily for Nehemiah’s Wall in 2015 and do invite friends to subscribe to the free email or social media posts.

I am praying someone with a burden to be used by God in building will receive a fresh vision and get the job done.

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Recessionproofchristianlife.com is a privately owned blog/media site started in 2009 as the internet ministry of the author. It promotes the absolute authority and divine inspiration of the Holy Bible as the Word of God – Infallible and Sufficient.