Nehemiah
Chapter 9
Intro: OT scholar, James Hamilton, said this about Nehemiah 9, “If you know the accumulation of your of your sin would pile up like all the dirty laundry you’ve ever soiled, like a bottomless sink full of dirty dishes, then the prayer in Nehemiah 9 will likely resonate with you.”
Notice the Conviction of the people.
What convicted them?
God’s Word. Specifically, the OT Biblical Narrative…
They were first convicted of their sin in Nehemiah 8 after Ezra read Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy to the people. Look back with me:
Nehemiah 8:9-11 (NASB)
“9 … "10 Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." 11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still,
Who God is (vs.) Who they had been
Who God is:
(v. 5) “…O may Your glorious name be blessed And exalted above all blessing and praise…”
(v. 6) “…You alone are the LORD…”
(v. 7) “…You are the LORD God…”
(v. 8) “…You are righteous…”
(v. 17) “…But You are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness…”
(v. 31) “You are a gracious and compassionate God…”
(v. 32) “…our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God…”
Who they were:
(v. 6) God’s creation
(v. 16) arrogant & stubborn
(v. 36) “…we are slaves today…”
(v. 37) “…we are in great distress…”
What God did (vs.) What they had done
(v. 33) “…You are just in all that has come upon us; For You have dealt faithfully, but we have acted wickedly…”
What God did to show Himself faithful and just:
(v. 6) “…You have made the heavens, the heaven of heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them…”
AND
(v. 31) “Nevertheless, in Your great compassion You did not make an end of them or forsake them, For You are a gracious and compassionate God.”
In truth, (v. 33) describes God and who He is in relation to who we are too.
Notice the Confession of the people.
It addresses Past sin.
The OT narrative that is summarized in (v. 16-31)
It addresses Present sin.
(v. 36) “…today…”
It addresses National sin.
(v. 34) “For our kings, our leaders, our priests and our fathers have not kept Your law or paid attention to Your commandments and Your admonitions with which You have admonished them…”
(They are doing what God said in 2 Chronicles 7:14)
It addresses Personal sin.
(v. 36-37) “Behold, we are slaves today, and as to the land which You gave to our fathers to eat of its fruit and its bounty, Behold, we are slaves in it. Its abundant produce is for the kings Whom You have set over us because of our sins; They also rule over our bodies and over our cattle as they please, so we are in great distress.”
Notice the Change of the people.
It came with urgency.
(v. 1) “Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the sons of Israel assembled with fasting, in sackcloth and with dirt upon them.”
It came after conviction.
Nehemiah 8 (the people weeping over sin)
It came after confession.
Nehemiah 9 (specific, detailed, full and complete)
It came after commitment.
(v. 38) “Now because of all this we are making an agreement in writing; And on the sealed document…”
[public, “in writing”, accountable, serious]
