"Read It Aloud"

 

“Read It Aloud”

 

In the Old Testament, especially in Exodus and Leviticus, God gives specific procedures for worshipping Him (e.g. perfect sacrifices, cleansing, times). As we read through the New Testament, however, we find no prescribed order of worship. But there are a number of elements included in the church’s corporate gatherings (e.g. singing, prayer, preaching, teaching, giving and fellowship) which are still done today. One practice, though, which was part of the early church’s time together which isn’t included in many of today’s assemblies is Scripture reading. Paul instructed his pastoral protégé to “…devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:13, emphasis added). Why is this now a “missing element” in many Bible believing churches?

One possibility is that it was necessary in the first fifteen centuries of church history because written copies of God’s Word weren’t readily available. They had to be copied by hand, a laborious process, until the printing press was invented in 1453 and even then they were too costly for average people to purchase. Another is that most were illiterate because the scarcity of materials made learning to read and write largely unneeded. Bibles are now available at reasonable costs in many places and (at least in our country) most people are literate so public reading may be viewed as unnecessary. But are we missing God’s blessing by eliminating it from our times of corporate worship?

In the Men’s Bible Study I facilitate one of the members once cautioned us not to skip reading the Word before studying and discussing it. In recent years the devotional Our Daily Bread has included the printed Scripture passage on which the day’s thought is based. The logic of both is that what God says is far more important than human insights so it can’t be ignored.

After Nehemiah led the Israelites in the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall Ezra was used of God to restore the nation’s spiritual life. In Nehemiah 8:2-5 we’re told, “…Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly…He read it aloud from daybreak till noon…And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law…Ezra opened the book…and as he opened it, the people all stood up.” (Emphasis added). So the reading of God’s Word was welcomed and respected as shown by the congregation’s standing and listening when it was presented. Many churches, including those I’ve pastored and attended, do this which I believe to be highly appropriate.

When Scripture is read aloud and we follow it on a screen or in our own Bible God is using two senses (sight and hearing) to help us grasp His truth. So let’s use both for His glory and our benefit.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan