Summary of Nehemiah 9:1-21
The Israelites gathered together and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They read from the Book of the Law, confessed, and worshiped. The people recited God’s deeds, praising Him for bringing them out of Ur, raising up Abraham, bringing them out of Egypt, giving them the Law, feeding them, and not abandoning them in the desert when they disobeyed.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 26, Day 2: Nehemiah 9:1-21
3a) Sackcloth and ashes outwardly demonstrated their internal brokenness and humility before God. Separating from foreigners was essential to cut ties with idolatry and compromise. Together, these actions proved their repentance was genuine—they were not just sorry for the consequences, but were actively purging sin to restore their covenant relationship.
b) Materialism and vindictiveness
4a) The people recited God’s deeds, praising Him for bringing them out of Ur, raising up Abraham, bringing them out of Egypt, giving them the Law, feeding them, and not abandoning them in the desert when they disobeyed.
b) To learn from the past and not repeat it. And, to remember what God has done for His people, so we have faith, hope, and encouragement that He will do it again. Romans tells us: “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”
5a) Lots. Selfishness. Disobedience. Mean-spirited. Anger. Revengeful. Unforgiveness. Etc.
b) By humbly confessing specific sins, trusting in God’s merciful character through Christ, and turning away from evil to walk in His new life.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 26, Day 2: Nehemiah 9:1-21
I love it when the people remember what God has done. We need to remember what God has done in our lives so that we have faith that He will continue to be there for us no matter what.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 26, Day 2: Nehemiah 9:1-21
After the work had been done and the Holy Spirit had done its work, it was time for repentance.
Fasting, wearing sackcloth, and covering their heads in dust is a sign of humility. It showed that the Israelites were so troubled by their sin that they couldn’t eat.
All sin is of equal weight. Sin is when we miss God’s mark by disobeying what is in His Word.
Once we repent, we aim to do better.
Fun Fact: This is the longest prayer in the Bible, and it only takes 6 1/2 minutes to recite.
What God has made (the world) gives us reason to praise Him.
God does not forsake His people even when they forsake Him. His patience is infinite.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
After the joyful Feast of Booths, the people transitioned to solemn fasting and sackcloth. The Levites led a prayer recounting their history, contrasting God’s sovereignty with human rebellion.
-
Creation & Covenant (vv. 5–8): The prayer anchors the people in the fact that God is the sole Creator (“You are the LORD, you alone”) and recalls the election of Abraham. It affirms that God kept His promise to give the land because He is righteous.
-
Deliverance & Guidance (vv. 9–15): It recounts the Exodus miracles—the Red Sea, the pillar of fire, and the giving of the Law at Sinai. It highlights God’s supernatural provision of bread (manna) and water.
-
Rebellion met with Mercy (vv. 16–21): Despite these miracles, the ancestors became arrogant and even made a golden calf. Yet, God was “ready to forgive, gracious and merciful” (v. 17). He did not abandon them in the wilderness but continued to instruct, lead, and feed them for forty years so that they “lacked nothing.”
Conclusion
This section teaches that God’s faithfulness is not held hostage by human failure. The Israelites repeatedly responded to grace with rebellion (arrogance, idolatry), yet God repeatedly responded to rebellion with mercy. The people’s confidence to confess their sins came from knowing God’s character, not their own track record.
Best Electronics!
*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases