Some Translation Needed

Scripture: Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (because he was above all the people), and, as he opened it, all the people stood up. When Ezra blessed the Lord as the great God, all the people responded “Amen, Amen!” By lifting up their hands as they bowed their heads, they worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Then Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, explained the Law to the people while the people stood in their place. They read from the book, from the Law of God, with interpretation, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. Nehemiah 8:5-8

Observation: Ezra is reading the scriptures to all the remnant that has returned after the exile. However, while reading, 13 other people need to "explain" the law. This explanation is described as 'interpretation'. This was not that the people need to be teaching independent of the word of God - the people weren't having a more detailed explanation of what the law meant or having the plain meaning interpreted for them by a priest. Instead, this is a literal interpretation ... the scriptures were written in Hebrew, and after 70 years of exile the people all speak Aramaic.

This must have been devastating for the returning Jews. They have survived, they have rebuilt Jerusalem, and they are about to celebrate. Their priest begins reading the Law of Moses - the word of God, explicitly documented by Moses, that is to be the cornerstone and foundation of their lives ... the word that they failed to follow that lead to their destruction and now they must not stray again - and they don't speak their own national language well enough to understand it.

The Jews always functioned as independent clans within independent tribes, and even within two different nations. However, they were united by three things: Their designation as God's "chosen" people through ancestry from Abraham; Their traditions and behaviors under The Law; Their own language. God removed his favor because they forsook the Law, and now they find a barrier to recovering those things ... they have lost their language too.

Application: When it comes to understanding Jesus, God, the Bible, we ALL need some translation. In some cases, that translation is language-based ... words in Hebrew and Greek just aren't the same and even English translations disagree on the nuanced meaning of some words and phrases. More often, the translation we need is cultural ... we think in terms of our known world and culture, and thus need help understanding the intent of God's teaching.

I would love "we" here to mean "others and especially non-believers", but of course "we" includes "me". I need help understanding. I don't know it all, and many times what I "know" is bound to a personal interpretation, understanding, or experience that may not be correct.

I need to more regularly turn to the Holy Spirit for that interpretation. Yes, I believe pastors and other Christians can guide me too, but I do not trust in the Holy Spirit often enough for guidance and life-lessons. I need to lean into the Spirit more often, pray into the Spirit's teaching and knowledge and wisdom, and seek the Spirit's instruction and guidance more often.

Prayer: Lord, I often ask for your Spirit to be with me. However, then I don't seek to interact with the Holy Spirit. May I not just be "Spirit filled", but "Spirit lead". May I listen to the voice, trust in the Spirit's guidance, and allow him to interpret your word for me. Amen.