Nehemiah 8:2, 3 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. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand, and the ears of the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
The Jews returning from captivity had rebuilt the temple and the walls of Jerusalem. The religious reform and restoration of the true faith was capped off with a public celebration including a public reading of the book of the Law, the five Books of Moses. The Word of God is the source and foundation of the renewal of the faith of the returnees. Ezra read the book aloud for all to hear. The people were attentive to the words and heard the Word of God with understanding.
Our response to God working in our life for our salvation is to hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Word of God. Receiving the Gospel with faith is one way to thank and praise the Lord for His mercy and grace. For this reason we attend public worship to hear the Word preached and spend daily time with God in His Word. The public reading and preaching of the Word is God’s gracious invitation to us to receive His life by faith. Our affirmative response is to listen attentively.