GAINESVILLE – A dozen people sat in a semi-circle in the cool, early morning shade provided by the Hall Court House. At exactly 7:14 a.m. the group leader’s cell phone alarm sounded; one of the group members rose to their feet and began reading aloud from the Old Testament book of Job.
For the next thirty minutes each person would take a turn, progressively reading ten chapters of Job, from chapter six through chapter fifteen.
This scene was simultaneously being duplicated at all 159 county court houses across Georgia. In about 45-minutes the entire Bible was being read aloud, all 1,189 chapters.
This was no coincidence; the fact that the date (7-14) and the starting time (7:14 a.m.) were identical was no accident. It reflects a Bible verse cherished by believers worldwide, an offer from God made thousands of years ago to the Children of Israel during the dedication of King Solomon’s Temple.
II Chronicles 7:14:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
“This is the second annual state-wide Bible reading,” group leader Steve Fisher of Gainesville explained. “Each county court house had readings last year and this year.”
But the event isn’t limited to Georgia. It actually originated in Iowa several years ago and Georgia joined in last year. “Last year there were fifteen states and twenty-two countries that participated.”
Fisher said he had received permission to gather in Kenyon Plaza, informing the Sheriff’s Office, the Gainesville Police Department and courthouse security about the short gathering, but was surprised when eight members of the Hall County Sheriff’s Department quietly joined the gathering.
“I invited some to come,” Fisher said, “but, yes, I was surprised that they came out. I was very thankful that they came out. It shows you God is no respecter of persons…but His people showed up.”
