Lifted Up And Proclaimed Loudly

The pulpit more often than not sits in the front of the congregation and is lifted up above them. 

Why is this? Have you ever given this any thought?  It took me a few years to recognize this and understand why most sanctuaries are designed this way. The book of Nehemiah helps to shed some light on this. 

Nehemiah 8:4-5 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

The part of this passage I like is when verse 5 says he opened the book in the sight of all the people. This was an occasion for worshiping God. They were reading the law handed down to Moses from the Lord. So, they made the wooden platform to ensure that whoever was reading would be above all the people. Above all the people physically, Ezra in this case was the one reading, because no one person is above God’s law. But the position of being lifted up and in front of the crowd made sure that a multitude of people could hear the words being read. The words read aloud and lifted up would have a better chance of falling sweetly into the hearers’ ears. 

As it was then it still is today. The words of God are authoritative and true. Worthy of being held up and proclaimed loudly. To be clear, the man behind the pulpit, while lifted up above other people as well, is not any greater than the men below hearing these words. In a small sense he is because he’s the one called by God to proclaim the word, but so are all of us other believers. Nevertheless, when we give attention to the words of God being proclaimed we should also give attention to the man standing behind the pulpit. He is the one God chose at that particular time to deliver a message. 

It is a blessing to be one of those men who was chosen to proclaim the truths found in Scripture. It’s also a task one should not take lightly. Careful preparation and diligent study should mark the preacher of the greatest book ever produced. It’s a task that carries much weight and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly or for granted. Pray diligently for your pastor for his studies and preparation. And earnestly listen to the words of God when he preaches. 

I’ll end with a few wise words from Jesus. 

Mark 4:23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.