After Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem, he led the rebuilding of the city wall. As the people gather to express their thanks for God, a revival breaks out. First, I’ll mention the elements of revival and then on Nehemiah’s prayer as part of the public worship among these revived people.
The odd part of Nehemiah 9 is that first they read from the Book of the Law for a quarter of the day. Wow! Imagine that today- there would be a mass rebellion which indicates just how much we need revival. We get ticked if the sermon is a few minutes too long. Another quarter of the day was spent confessing their sins and worshipping God. Half a day was spent listening to God and then responding to him with confession and adoration.
Then the Levites lead the people in prayer, and a significant prayer it is. It reveals a depth of understanding in who God is and how he works among is people.
- He is the exalted above all else! The host, armies, of heaven worship him.
- He is Creator! He made heaven, all the heavenly host (armies), the earth & all that is on it, the seas & all that are in them.
- He is the Preserver of creation!
- He is the God of promise and covenant! He chose Abram, changed his name and cut a covenant with him.
- He is righteous, keeping his promises! The reason given for keeping those promises was his righteousness. God is a promise-keeping God.
- He is Redeemer! He saw the affliction of his people in Egypt, heard their cries and set them free with signs and wonders to humble the Egyptians. He brings judgment to Egypt and salvation to Israel at the Red Sea.
- God is Sustainer of his people! He leads them in the pillar of cloud and fire until he brought them into the land of promise. He provided manna and water during the 40 year wilderness wanderings.
- God is the Law-giver. God guides our behavior by his laws (and humbles us greatly by revealing our sinfulness).
In their prayer, they are retracing the history of redemption. Their focus so far has been who God is. There is going to be a slight shift in focus. This prayer is to honor God, but also to instruct the people. It reflects what they have just read in the Scriptures. Our prayers could be more grounded in the history of redemption. Our prayers could benefit from such a focus on the nature and character of God. We would probably experience a deeper spiritual life. They are about to introduce a new theme!
- We are stiff necked. The people of Israel acted presumptuously, and did not obey God. They stiffened their necks and chose someone to bring them back to Egypt.
- God is “ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.” This only makes sense in light of the repeated rebellion and stubbornness of Israel. Even when they made the golden calf, he showed mercy. Despite their rebellion, he continued to provide manna and water.
- God gave his Spirit to instruct them! He sustained them in the wilderness, multiplied their children and gave them the promised land. Israel became fat and happy.
- Israel continued to disobey, even killing the very prophets God sent to warn them to repent!
- ABCD! Apostasy => Battering => Crying Out => Deliverance cycle. God gave them over to their enemies, and then provided saviors to deliver them when they cried out. According to his great mercy, he delivered them many times. Are you catching the theme here?
- They stiffened their necks when his messengers came. He warned them repeatedly by his Spirit through his prophets. But, they wouldn’t listen.
- God still didn’t forsake them, for he is “a gracious and merciful God.”
Their view of God was one of “the great, the mighty and the awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love.” We might look back and think he is a God of wrath (sin does anger him), but the message is really about his mercy and grace. Despite their stiff neckedness he loves them and works among them.
Finally they come to supplication!
Don’t think lightly of our hardship, even though we deserved it!
Look upon our plight today- slaves in our own homes. We are in great distress.
Then Nehemiah notes that they renewed the covenant. Revival should include a fervent commitment to begin to obey, turning away from our stiff neckedness and beginning to listen to his gracious words and be thankful for his steadfast love.
God corrects his people when they become stubborn and rebellious. He does not destroy them (though it may feel like it to us), but lovingly gets their attention. I find I have to raise my voice, and sometimes to my hand, to get my children’s attention to call them back to the right path. God loves us enough to do this lest we destroy ourselves. Thank him for his persevering grace.
Cavman Considers 