Rebuild Those Walls: The Glow Worm

One Year Bible (Aug. 15)

Nehemiah: 9:22-10:39

“The GLOW WORM”

“Shine little glow-worm, glimmer, glimmer. Hey, there don’t get dimmer, dimmer.” (The Glow Worm, Johnny Mercer)

The Mills Brothers and Muppet Show both featured this interesting little song. Do you remember singing it with the “littles” in your life? Have you ever asked, “Why are we singing about worms glowing”?

Who was bored enough to write and sing about Inchworms?

As we have gone through the book of Ezra and Nehemiah it sure has seemed that they just “INCHED” along. Build. Wait. Repeat.

I don't know about you, but I find it very difficult to “GLIMMER GLIMMER” when I don’t feel “SLIMMER SLIMMER” or things are getting “DIMMER DIMMER”.

And yet, we see that Ezra and Nehemiah were not just calling the people to rebuild the Temple and the Walls… They were there to REBUILD their FAITH!

To do this, they need to GROW and GLOW. (GLIMMER GLIMMER). How did this happen?

We are going to use a little acrostic to help us remember “GLOW”.

God. “All the people assembled with a unified purpose…So, Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly.” ( 8:1-2)

After Exile there were people who did not know THE WORD of God at all! Their children also did not know anything about walking in the ways of the Lord. The “Book of the Law” had been in a foreign language as they grew up in Babylon. Not only that, they had no one to explain it to them. Ezra was gifted as a scribe and teacher in the laws of Moses and so he taught the people (men, women, and children). Many heard the Word of God for the first time.

Listen. Ezra read the Word of God to the people, “from early daybreak until noon”. (8:3)

First, that’s six hours for anyone that is counting.

Secondly, notice that they had made a high wooden platform for him to stand on which showed great reverence to ELEVATE the Word of God.

Thirdly, “When they saw him OPEN THE BOOK” they ALL ROSE TO THEIR FEET.” (8:5)

Ever complain when the sermon goes a little long and you are late to your favorite restaurant? Hmmm… Remember the days of hard pews which are now replaced by comfy chairs?

How long is a movie at the theatre in those leather recliners or the time spent when you “binge-watch” your favorite series on Netflix? It is about Perspective…

These people were HUNGRY for the word of God over the BUFFET. They ELEVATED the Word of God and stood in GREAT RESPECT…

Obedience. “Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and ALL the people chanted, “Amen! Amen! As they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.” (8:6)

The word, “Amen” means “So Be It”. These people had signed a physical covenant. They bowed down, worshiped, lifted their hands, and verbally agreed to follow the Laws of God.

Now, I must admit that the last time I have seen EVERYONE stand with physical hands raised was at the ballgame and they were doing “The Wave”.

I live in the fanbase of the San Diego Padres. (They have a great stadium, by the way! Just sayin’.) Do you by any chance know what the word, Padres, means? The word “padre” means “father” in Spanish and is well-known in all of the CA Missions. This term was used for the priests who represented the father and out of respect for their FATHER.

So, let me just ask a little question here. It is considered supportive and being “a fan” to stand and cheer and wave for your baseball team, but why is everyone hesitant to stand, kneel, and lift their hands to say “AMEN” for their “PADRE”? Yet, we see over and over that the OT worshipers danced, sang, raised their hands, and created a storm of worship in praise to God.

Wisdom. “Don’t be dejected and sad for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (8:10)

WISDOM is applied UNDERSTANDING. Why were they to stop grieving and start rejoicing?

Perhaps, we need to remember that WHAT we focus on governs HOW WE FEEL.

The reason why we stay in grief, anger, discouragement, and other negative emotions for a long time is that we are focused on the WRONG THINGS. This world is NOT our home…

They were reminded, as our we, that “The joy of the LORD is our strength.” (Neh. 8:10)

So, “Shine little glow-worm… glimmer, glimmer”!