In our daily devotional on Nehemiah 9, we witness a profound moment in the history of Israel as the people, moved by the reading of God’s Word, confront their collective sins. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative nature of scripture, prompting not only confession but also a renewed commitment to covenant with God. As they reflect on their past disobedience and God’s unwavering faithfulness, the Israelites take a decisive step toward restoration. This raises important questions for us: Does the Word of God convict us of our sins? Does it draw us closer to Him? As you read or listen to Nehemiah 9, consider the profound impact of God’s Word on your own life and the covenants you might be inspired to make in response. To see how God renews His people with the Word, read the daily devotional on Nehemiah 8.
Nehemiah 9 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
In Nehemiah 9, hearing the Word of God leads the people of Israel to confess their sins which results in making a covenant with God. Does God’s Word convict you of sin? Does God’s Word draw you closer to Him? Please read or listen to Nehemiah 9.
What a chapter! In 1991, I read chapters 9-13. I finished the Book of Nehemiah that day, yet did not write any notes in my journal.
What Is the Main Message of Nehemiah 9?
In 2002, I read Nehemiah a few times in one month, so I have double entries for Nehemiah 9. Entry number one, “The people read the Book of the Law, without Ezra, for a quarter of the day. They learned about the ups and downs of their walk with God, like us. God is faithful. We act proudly, harden our hearts, disobey. He pardons, grants mercy, sustains us. We become filled and fat, disobedient, rebellious, and cast the Bible away. You bring us back to Your law for You have dealt faithfully, but we have done wickedly.”
What Happens When We Turn Away from God?
Entry number two, “Confession, fasting, worship, reading God’s Word, all part of cleansing. When there is a problem, it’s not with God. He is faithful. We are the ones who turn away, harden our hearts, refuse to obey. It is us that move away from God, not God who moves away from us. So, it is us who need to move back to God.”
What Are the Signs of God’s Faithfulness?
Let’s see if those themes continue in 2012, “More scripture produces more worship, referring to verses 4 and 5, and remembrance of God’s blessings, beginning with verse 6 and following. Prayer of confession continues. We disobey and rebel. You forgive and love, and do not give up on us. In the wilderness of disobedience and blasphemy, You continue to supply our needs. Amazing. You keep Your promises. You gave them the land You promised, but we became fat and delighted in ourselves and our works, think we did all things, and forget God. We disobey. We get what we deserve. We cry out, You restore. We disobey again, and Your mercy is always there. So this people now makes a written covenant with God and, of course, that’s how Nehemiah 9 concludes.”
Because of the length of this chapter, I will only focus on a couple of key points:
Verse 3, “And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God.” The same thing happens to us. When we read the Word of God, it leads us to confession, and it leads us to worship. Spend more time in the Bible.
Which Bible Verse Says God Is Slow to Anger?
Verse 17, “But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love”. Hallelujah! Thank You for those attributes.
Verse 28, “Yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, and many times you delivered them according to your mercies.” Thank You for this attribute. You hear our prayers and answer us; not with judgment, but with mercy.
Verse 31, “Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.” Thank You again for the attribute of mercy and grace.
Verse 33, “Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly.” Thank You for the attribute of righteousness and faithfulness even when we are wicked or sinful. When these, Your people, understood Your attributes, when they understood who You were, they took an action step. Verse 38, “Because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing”. After reading or listening to Nehemiah 9, you too may want to make a covenant with your God. Let’s pray.
Prayer
Father, we thank You for the attributes we learned in this chapter. You are gracious, You are merciful, You are faithful, You are kind. You are loving even when we are disobedient, rebellious, and harden our hearts against You.
Thank You, Lord, for Your forgiveness, Your grace, and Your mercy to us right now. We make our covenant with You now to read Your Word, to confess our sins, and to worship You. We make a covenant with You to walk with You, and talk with You, and listen to You; to love You and obey You. Holy Spirit, strengthen us this time to keep this covenant. We are so thankful, God, that You are a covenant keeper. Help me keep this covenant, as well. In Your name, we ask it. Amen.
