verse 8. They read "distinctly." We sometimes listen to a man whom we
cannot hear, and it is a pain and grief to us to see his lips move, but
because he drops his voice when he has anything extra good to say, we
lose the best. Such Preachers forget that "faith comes by hearing."
THE PREACHERS MADE THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND,
verse 8.
This is one of the duties of Preachers, to make their hearers understand
the Bible, so that the man who does not teach as well as preach has not
done all that he has been called to do. That is the best kind of
Preacher, who not only stirs up the people like a poker, but puts fuel on
at the same time.
IV.--The Effects of the Service.
First, there was sorrow of heart. No one can understand the Bible and
not be moved. The Levites, however, showed their people that God would
like them to be happy. Those who weep over the Bible may well be
comforted. Let those weep who have not listened to God's word.