All Who Could Hear

http://bible.com/1/neh.8.2.kjv 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.

...with understanding.

So no deaf people, at least physically deaf. In less they had a way to translate.

It definitely included men and women, so who is the 'all who could hear with understanding' group?

Typically in ancient cultures you were considered a 'man' or 'woman' at a younger age. No teen or tween designations. :-)

You were either an adult or child. So, though some think children have to be talked to on their level (or down to), that somehow the Spirit of God is lacking in His efficiency in allowing a child to grasp what is related by an adult.

I'm somewhat amazed by the fervent confirmation of some of the supreme ability of God, yet when it comes to enlightening the minds (or spirits) of children He's somehow inefficient?

As if speaking to them as you would an adult, or allowing them to hear the word of God is beyond His ability to enlighten?

I'm not saying children (or adults) don't need clarity, or won't have questions, but is it really necessary to 'dummy' down conversations, God's word, sermons?

Wouldn't a healthier venue be to speak and then ask them questions, or wait to see if they have questions, allowing the Spirit to move them?

Even a young child has the ability to 'hear with understanding' especially if we factor in the omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient of God.

Would that we all have, by His grace, the ability to hear with understanding.