1 Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the sons of Israel assembled with fasting, in sackcloth and with dirt upon them. 2 The descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the Lord their God for a fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God. (Nehemiah 9:1–3)
Some of us have attended conferences featuring high-powered speakers focusing on a particular theme. There’s time away in a resort setting, and time to refocus and ponder where you go from here. I would not say the Israelites’ accommodations were luxurious by any stretch (booths made of branches), but the teaching was eye opening. And it was a “feast” of sorts. But it’s hard to imagine (or reproduce) all this in our day and age.
Nevertheless, the collective awakening of the people spawned hearts desiring true revival. What God did for them was crystal clear, and it was retold yet again in Chapter 9 as a preamble to what was going to follow, not sparing the ugly reality of their many lapses over time resulting in their present state: back in their home towns with access to the now fortified holy city, but still under the thumbs of rulers and nobles. But actually, in reality, it was the mighty thumb of a jealous God who was bringing matters to a climax.
After a week of commemoration and soul searching, it was time to seek closure, to mourn their sin by separating from “all foreigners,” by “fasting,” by the wearing of “sackcloth” and “dirt upon” their bodies, and with fervent resolve to confess their iniquities before God. For half of the day they heard more from God’s word, followed by an equal and opposite response of confession and worship. The painful reality, the looming threat, was of yet another relapse, as warned below.
And many times You rescued them according to Your compassion, 29 and admonished them in order to turn them back to Your law. Yet they acted arrogantly and did not listen to Your commandments but sinned against Your ordinances, by which if a man observes them he shall live. And they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck, and would not listen. (Nehemiah 9:28–29)
The people were at a turning point. Would they yet again repeat the cycle of sin, or would they turn from their wicked ways? Would they again turn a “stubborn shoulder” to God? Would they heed the words of the prophet Jeremiah, “Oh turn back, each of you from his evil way, and reform your ways and your deeds.” (Jeremiah 18:11)
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I did not hide;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”;
And You forgave the guilt of my sin. (Psalm 32:5)
They say confession is good for the soul, but it takes time to get to the stage where it’s like breathing, where missteps are acknowledged almost instantaneously, where there is open communication with God filled with “thank yous” and “I’m sorry, please forgive me’s.” What the Israelites were experiencing was a complete overhaul, one that was long overdue. What burdens they were shedding were of their own long-time making, nationally and individually, all of which could have been avoided by obedience. Yet it is amazing how gracious God is! What’s important to note though is that our plights may not quickly change, but our paralyzing guilt will be forgiven and lifted. That’s major, allowing for clear access to consistent righteous living and a fresh start.
In this historical account of the people’s spiritual ebb and flow, and the graciousness of God at each turning point back to him, his greatness juxtaposed to their frailty, his compassion in the midst of their waywardness, we have the very picture of our lives. Would that we not descend further and further as they did, but that we’d make steady progress upwards and onwards, and that our great hardships are not of our own making, but God-ordained appointments to trust and obey, occasions to recount and draw upon for our own present resilience and resolution, his past deliverances.
“Now because of all this we are making an agreement in writing; and on the sealed document are the names of our leaders, our Levites and our priests.” (Nehemiah 9:38)
Our God is the same God who did all these great things and was and is merciful without measure. Seeing and knowing and believing this, should we not also want to sign a covenant with him? Perhaps with a journal entry or note on one of those white pages in your Bible? There’s something special about resolutions reduced to writing.
Takeaways:
- Recount your blessings.
- Recall and repent of your sins.
- Remember his provisions.
- Re-establish his rule in your life.
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