The book of Nehemiah describes an interesting day in the lives of the remnant who returned to Jerusalem out of Babylonian captivity. The wall protecting the city had been finished, and the Jews had gathered at Jerusalem. Chapter 8 relates a reading of the law by Ezra, followed by the keeping of the Feast of Tabernacles. Chapter 9 picks up the narrative. The children assembled on the twenty-fourth day of the month and fasted “in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads” (1). These were signs of mourning as the sins of Israel weighed heavily upon the people as they woke spiritually. Verse 2 says, “Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.”
For a quarter of the day they read from God’s law. Another fourth was taken up in their confession of sin and worship to God. After half the day was over the Levites addressed the assembly, sharing the history of Israel. They emphasized God’s graciousness despite the consistent rebellion of the people which led to their demise as a sovereign nation. I would suggest a reading of the address in verses 5-38 of the chapter.
God chose Abraham for His covenant, and kept His promises to the Israelites, establishing them as a nation and transporting them to the border of the land He had promised. “But they and our fathers acted proudly, hardened their necks, and did not heed Your commandments” (16). Despite this, God in His mercy, grace and kindness, “did not forsake them” (17).
Even though they committed idolatry at Sinai, God was merciful. “Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness” (21).
Regardless of their sins, God gave them the land and made them a great nation. Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against God. They “Cast Your law behind their backs and killed your prophets…” (26). God chastised them, but when they cried out to Him, “You heard from heaven; and according to Your abundant mercies You gave them deliverers” (27).
This pattern continued again and again. “And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies, and testified against them, that You might bring them back to Your law” (28-29). Their continued rebellion led to their eventual captivity, “Nevertheless in Your great mercy You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them; for You are God, gracious and merciful” (31).
Hear parts of their conclusion: “However You are just in all that has befallen us; for You have dealt faithfully, but we have done wickedly” (33). They recognized their plight as they were in “great distress”. It was their own fault, and it was for this reason they repented, and took great effort to confess their sins. “And because of all this, we make a sure covenant and write it; our leaders, our Levites, and our priests seal it” (38).
Paul reminded the Christians in Corinth of these sins, noting Israel’s lust, idolatry, arrogance, rebellion and complaining. He said, “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). His admonition was, “nor let us…” with the warning, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (12).
We can learn not only from their sins, but also from their repentance and confession, knowing that the same thing is required for us as Christians today. Consider John’s words, “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:5-9).
And thus we have the expression of God’s mercy and graciousness to His people today. If we make no effort to live righteously, we lie in claiming fellowship with Him. Fellowship requires righteousness because God is righteous. It requires obedience because God has called for us to be holy as He is holy (cf. 1 Peter 1:15-16). And when we sin it requires that we confess our sins, knowing that “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
How wonderful is the graciousness of God! “But you are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness…” (Nehemiah 9:17).
“Blessed be the LORD, because He has heard the voice of my supplications! The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him” (Psalm 28:6-7).
