CONFESSION AND WORSHIP

Nehemiah 8:13-9:5 / Keywords 9:3

They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God.

8:13 On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the teacher to give attention to the words of the Law.

14 They found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in temporary shelters during the festival of the seventh month

15 and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make temporary shelters”—as it is written.

16 So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves temporary shelters on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim.

17 The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.

18 Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly.

9:1 On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads.

2 Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors.

3 They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God.

4 Standing on the stairs of the Levites were Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Kenani. They cried out with loud voices to the LORD their God.

5 And the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah—said: “Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. ” “Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.

Footnotes

b. Nehemiah 8:15 See Lev. 23:37-40.

a. Nehemiah 9:5 Or God for ever and ever

1. Ezra continued to read and teach the Law of Moses. The Israelites realized they had not kept the LORD's instructions in celebrating the Festival of the Seventh Month, also known as the Festival of Tabernacle (Lev 23:33-44; Dt 16:13-16).

2. According to LORD's command, the Israelites all went out, built temporary shelters, and lived in them for the seven-day celebrations. Their joy was great as they participated in the festivities, following the LORD's instructions (17). When we have a right relationship with God, obeying God’s command is no longer a burden but a source of joy, a way to please the LORD. Is your desire in being right before the LORD and doing his will?

3. However, keeping the Law was not enough for them. The Israelites separated themselves from foreigners and confessed their sins (9:2). Their repentance was sincere. They fasted, wore sackcloth, and put on dust on their heads. As they studied the Law of God, they realized the holy God and could not but confess their sins. Confession of sins and repentance is the beginning of worship (3).

Prayer Father, thank you for letting me come to you and praise your name. Thank you for allowing me to have a personal relationship with you so I can confess all my sins before you. Thank you for forgiving my sins and setting me free. I rejoice in the amazing grace I receive in you.

One Word We are free to confess and worship