Mindful of His Wonders – Nehemiah 9:7-17

Israel's repentance, reconstruction, and revival in the days of Ezra & Nehemiah was marked by memorial convocation. These milestone moments of national significance occur in the context of a solemn and extensive covenant renewal ceremony. During this event, the entire nation submits to the rule of their God, humbling themselves with sackcloth and fasting before the authority of Yahweh. His Word is read, sins are confessed, history is recounted, a document is signed, worship commences, and vows are solemnized. These inaugural rituals are not without precedent. The people are returning to instructions they received through Moses when they first entered the promised land. Deut 27:1-8 commissioned a permanent plaster monument which contained the Law of God published for all the nation and future generations. These instructions are followed by an extensive blessing and punishment reading detailing the consequences of obedience or lack thereof to the Law of God (Josh 8:30-35). The ceremony commences and all Israel stands at attention as the Word of God is read in their hearing. Nehemiah 9 documents a return to these instructions. Our text today is a portion of the returning exile's antiphonal covenant worship. The people are answering back to the Lord upon the reading of His Law. Through their worship leaders, they are responding with a confessional summary of the history of their generations as measured by God's Word. There is no vainglory or idolatrous nationalism displayed in this biographical evaluation. Contrast this independence day celebration with our own. Contrast this history recorded with our own textbooks. Contrast this collective heart of repentance with popular attitudes in our day. Repentance is often not forthcoming because it requires of us that we forego all the credit when penitent prayers are answered.