READ: Nehemiah 9 and 10
Nehemiah 9 describes a day of humble confession. The
people spend a quarter of the day reading the law – receiving conviction – and
another quarter in confession and worship.
Confession and worship should go hand-in-hand, though we often separate them.
We feel that they must be separate – that we must leave space after our
confession until we are “worthy enough” to participate in worship. But that is
pride speaking. Worship is the most appropriate thing to do after we have
repented of our sin – in it we acknowledge and show gratitude to the only One
who can forgive us and remove the guilt of our sin!
The remainder of the chapter documents a heartfelt
prayer of repentance as the people acknowledge their sin before the Lord. They
remember, in detail, the faithfulness of Yahweh and the unfaithfulness of their
forefathers. We see how God’s covenant began with one man, whom God chose
because he took a step of faith and walked in obedience. We remember the
affliction Abraham’s descendants experienced in Egypt and the mighty
deliverance of the Lord. All of Israel’s major events are recalled and their
national rebellion is highlighted. We see the blessings of God’s word, presence,
and Spirit given to the people and ultimately rejected by them. And verse 36
describes them as they are on this day: “Behold,
we are slaves this day; in the land that you gave to our fathers to enjoy its
fruit and its good gifts, behold, we are slaves.” God’s people have gone
full circle – He gave them the land and now they are slaves in the very land
that they hold a right to. It is not coincidence; it is the sovereignty of God
whose words of blessing and punishment are always fulfilled. Yet there is so
much hope in this passage as the people cling to God’s promise to take them back
when they turn to Him. What a patient God we serve!
And so the people make a covenant with the Lord,
showing that they wholeheartedly agree to the terms of the covenant. There is a
specific emphasis in chapter 10 on the people’s duty to care for the
temple. The temple was the Lord’s house,
and its neglect reflected the people’s neglect for Yahweh Himself. The assembly
agrees to give the proper tithes and vow explicitly that they will not neglect
the house of God. These are not just nice words – the people are re-entering
into a covenant with Yahweh; they will now be held to what they have promised.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. Study the prayer in chapter 9 and, in your
journal:
a. Write down all that is declared about God’s
character and nature, both what is spoken outright and that which is implied.
b. Write down all the ways that God showed mercy
and faithfulness to His people in the past.
2. Take time to think back on your own life:
a. Write down specific aspects of God’s character
and nature that you have experienced.
b. Write down specific ways that God has shown you
mercy and faithfulness throughout your journey.
c. Praise and thank Him for your testimony!
3. God still calls His people to tithe and take
care of His house. The church is the body
of Christ. This applies both to the universal church (all Christians worldwide)
and local churches (congregations). How we treat and care about the body speaks
to how we care about God. Many people are afraid to submit their finances to
God – that is one area where many of us compartmentalize as “mine” not God’s.
But God is the Giver of all we have and He asks us to use what He has given us
for His kingdom. Ask God to speak to you about your giving. Is he pleased? Is
there something He wants you to change? Trust Him that He is your sovereign
Provider.
