BECAUSE OF OURSINS

NEHEMIAH 9 - PREAMBLE

• Also called the Levites Psalm or Ezra’s Grand Psalm

• Essentially a corporate prayer

KEY FEATURESKEY FEATURES

a)a) Citation of Israel’s historyCitation of Israel’s history

b)b) Prayer of praise and thanksgivingPrayer of praise and thanksgiving

c)c) Prayer of repentance for generational & Prayer of repentance for generational & corporate sincorporate sin

d)d) Ends in lamentation “we are in great Ends in lamentation “we are in great distress”distress”

FEAST OF TABERNACLES

• Israelites had just completed the Feast of Tabernacles – 8 days of reading the law and worshipping (8vs 18)

• Israelites gathered voluntarily for this assembly – ¼ day to read Scriptures, ¼ day confessing sin and worshipping God.

Nehemiah 9:5-37Nehemiah 9:5-37

Prayer of Praise & ThanksgivingPrayer of Praise & Thanksgiving (1)(1)

•For life and creation (v For life and creation (v 6)6)

•For His Covenant, For His Covenant, faithfulness and faithfulness and righteousness (v 7-8)righteousness (v 7-8)

Nehemiah 9:5-37Nehemiah 9:5-37

Prayer of Praise & ThanksgivingPrayer of Praise & Thanksgiving (2)(2)

Through delivery from hardshipsThrough delivery from hardships1.1. In the desert and at SinaiIn the desert and at Sinai (v 12-21) (v 12-21)

2.2. From the enemies in Canaan From the enemies in Canaan (26-27)(26-27)

3.3. From surrounding nations From surrounding nations (v 28-31)

Nehemiah 9:5-37Nehemiah 9:5-37Prayer of Praise & ThanksgivingPrayer of Praise & Thanksgiving (3) (3)

For provisions and abundance of For provisions and abundance of blessingsblessings

Sustenance during Exodus Sustenance during Exodus (v15,21)(v15,21)

Health, Wealth & Prosperity (v22-Health, Wealth & Prosperity (v22-25)25)

Nehemiah 9:5-37Nehemiah 9:5-37Prayer of Praise & ThanksgivingPrayer of Praise & Thanksgiving (4)(4)

• For Mercy, Compassion & GraciousnessFor Mercy, Compassion & Graciousness– Even when we are disobedientEven when we are disobedient

• (v17-18); (v 26-27); (v28); (v29-31)(v17-18); (v 26-27); (v28); (v29-31)

• For Guidance & Spiritual TruthsFor Guidance & Spiritual Truths• (v 13-14); (v19); (v 29-30)(v 13-14); (v19); (v 29-30)

RepentanceFor Proud & Arrogant Ways

Became arrogant and stiff-necked (v16) Failed to remember (v17b) Became stiff-necked (v 17c) They turned their backs on you (v27b) Became stiff-necked (v29c) Refused to listen (v29d) They paid no attention (v30)

2 Chronicles 7v142 Chronicles 7v14

If my people who are called by my If my people who are called by my name, will name, will humblehumble themselves and themselves and pray and seek my face…….pray and seek my face…….

Key OT characters fell into sin at Key OT characters fell into sin at their peak – King David, King their peak – King David, King SolomonSolomon

Supporting verses:Supporting verses:• Stubborness of Israelites Stubborness of Israelites (Deut 1:26-33; 31:37)(Deut 1:26-33; 31:37)

• Did not remember God’s goodness to themDid not remember God’s goodness to them (Psalms 106:6; 78:11; 42-45)(Psalms 106:6; 78:11; 42-45)

CHARACTERISTICS 0F SINS

►Sin Is SubtleSin Is Subtle – – (corruption of Israelites began (corruption of Israelites began by grumblings after being rescued from Egypt)by grumblings after being rescued from Egypt)

►Sin Can Be Repetitive/CyclicalSin Can Be Repetitive/Cyclical ( (pattern of pattern of Israelites’ disobedience and rescue from God)Israelites’ disobedience and rescue from God)

►Sin Has A Corporate EffectSin Has A Corporate Effect ( (Israelites Israelites confessed the sins of their forefathers and take confessed the sins of their forefathers and take responsibility)responsibility)

►Punishment For Sin Can Be From Punishment For Sin Can Be From Outside Forces allowed by GodOutside Forces allowed by God (God used (God used Assyrians, Babylonians and Persians armies to Assyrians, Babylonians and Persians armies to punish Israelites).punish Israelites).