NEHEMIAH 9
THE ISRAELITES CONFESS THEIR SINS (vs. 1-37)
On the 24th day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together fasting and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads. They confessed their sins and the wickedness of their fathers. They read from the Book of the Law for a quarter of the day and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord. The Levites stood on the stairs and called with a loud voice saying: “Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting.” (v. 5). They glorified the name of the Lord and reviewed their history from Abraham to the present.
AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR HISTORY:
God made a covenant with Abraham to give his descendants the land of Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites and Girgashites. God saw the suffering of His people in Egypt and heard their cry at Red Sea. He sent miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh. He divided the sea for Israelites to pass through with a dry ground but drown the pursuers. He led them with a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night to guide their way. He gave them the 10 commandments at Mount Sinai. He gave them manna to eat and brought them water from the rock. For 40 years, they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out. But their forefathers became arrogant and stiff-necked and disobedient. They asked for a king to return to their slavery. They committed awful blasphemies when they cast themselves an image of a calf and worship it. But God did not abandon them because of His great compassion. He gave them descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and brought them into Canaan. But the people rebelled against God and killed the prophets. So God handed them over to the enemies who oppressed them. But when they cried out to God, He delivered and rescued them from the hand of their enemies. They became arrogant and sinned against God laws. The prophets admonished them but they paid no attention. So they were handed over to the neighboring countries and became their slaves. Now, they were in great distress.
THE AGREEMENT OF THE PEOPLE (v. 38)
They made a binding agreement putting in writing affixing seals of their leaders, Levites and priest.
THOUGHTS:
Upon hearing His word and a beautiful summary of God’s ministry to Israel, they realized how God had brought them out, brought them through, brought them in and saved them from their enemies. Despite of the record of Israel’s sin, God still invited His people to start a new beginning and bring the past with celebration of joy.
The prayer consisted a spiritual summary of the Old Testament history of the Jews. It started with the call of Abraham, the Exodus, the nations’ wilderness experience, the conquering of the land, the period of Judges, the period of prophets until its captivity.
In spite of repeated failings, pride and stubbornness, God continued to show his patience and mercy. He is always ready to forgive us. We must be willing to repent and make changes in our attitude and behavior and make our lives holy in His sight.
While the Israelites were enjoying God’s goodness and spacious fertile land, they forget to serve Him. Sometimes, when God had showered us blessings of wealth and security, we forget about Him. Are you thankful to God for His blessings? Do you draw closer to Him or do you fell self-sufficient and forget God?