• Deuteronomy 31:9-13; Joshua 8:34-35 – God commanded His word to be read orally for the benefit of all the people.
  • Restoration of Israel was brought about by reading the law.
    • II Kings 22:10-20; Nehemiah 8:1-8
    • Deuteronomy 17:14-20 – God commanded the king to keep a copy of the law and read it.
  • In the time of Christ and the apostles, reading was a regular part of religious service.
    • Luke 4:16-20; Acts 15:21
  • When they were wrong on a particular religious question, Jesus identified their problem as a failure to read.
    • Matthew 12:3-7
    • Reading in Jesus’ day would have caused them to understand God’s marriage law. Matthew 19:4
    • Reading would have caused them not to reject Christ. Matthew 21:42
    • Reading would have caused the Sadducees to realize there was a resurrection of the dead.
  • Reading was an important part of early worship.
    • Acts 2:16-21; I Timothy 4:13; Colossians 4:16; I Thessalonians 5:27
  • Reading is sadly neglected by some members today.