The Old Testament reading from this week’s Lectionary is an obscure one, that many would not be familiar with. However, every part of God’s Word is profitable for us, though, and can teach us something (II Timothy 3:16). As we look closely at these verses together, let us see what God has to tell us through these passages.
Because of the sins of the people of Judah, God had allowed King Nebuchadnezzar to attack the kingdom. The Jewish people were taken into captivity in three separate deportations (605, 597, and 586 BC). A number of years later, King Cyrus and his successors allowed the Jews to return to the land in three groups (538, 458, and 444 BC). Nehemiah, who had been a cupbearer (a high-ranking position) to King Artaxerxes, came back with the final group. He had been heartbroken to hear that the walls of Jerusalem were still broken down and in ruins, thus leaving the city open to attacks from their enemies. The Book of Nehemiah tells of his leading the people in rebuilding of these walls.
At the time referenced in our passage of Scripture, the walls have been completed, and Nehemiah has led the people in a desire to reinstitute the holy days. Chapter 9 starts off with the people, as a whole, confessing their sins corporately. Nehemiah knew that the captivity had happened because of the sins of the nation. He also knew that both he and the people needed to confess and repent of their sins now, as well. In this passage for today we read of how the Jewish people in the past, even though God had brought them out of slavery in Egypt, brazenly hardened their hearts against Him by making a golden calf to worship as a god. They were not content with God or His choice of a leader. Instead they went on their own and picked their own leader, Moses’ brother, Aaron (vs. 17).
Even through centuries of continual turning away from God and then repenting and returning, only to turn away again, He had mercy on them and never completely abandoned them. Even though God was punishing them during the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, He still loved and cared for them, providing for their needs (vs. 20-21). Though the Jewish people have always been stubborn and prone to turn away from God, He has always been ready to forgive.
Here, at this time with Nehemiah, the people chose to review their nation’s past, confess past sins, and pledge to try and live righteously for the Lord. Reviewing their past as a people could hopefully keep them from making the same or similar sins. Just as a gardener will prepare the soil for planting, ridding it of rocks, roots, and weeds, so our hearts and souls need to be free from unconfessed sin for God to work in us. Nehemiah knew that the people needed to confess as a group, as a nation, for God to work in and through them.
We need to learn from the past, and not just one’s individual past, but the pasts of others whom God has chronicled in the Bible, for us to learn from their example. This will help us to become who God wants us to be. As we read and study God’s Word, it will open our eyes and hearts to see where we have sinned and need to confess. Just as God gave the people the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night to guide them (vs 19), He has given us His Word to be our guide today. We need to keep our eyes on it to safely make it through life. Confession is necessary before we can truly worship God. Unconfessed sin will block an honest and true relationship with God.
One thing that we can really see in a passage like this is that God’s patience and love are amazing. This in spite of the repeated failures and sins of His people. He is always ready to forgive and teach us. Are our spiritual eyes open to follow the path He has for us?
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