Nehemiah 9
Nehemiah 9 emphasizes God's enduring mercy and faithfulness amidst Israel's shortcomings and calls for repentance and worship.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the character of God as revealed in Nehemiah 9, highlighting His righteousness, mercy, and faithfulness to His people. The chapter recounts the Israelites' solemn assembly, where they confess their sins and acknowledge God's past deliverance and provision. Smith points out that God is gracious, slow to anger, and always ready to pardon, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant with His people. The sermon reflects on God's continual guidance and sustenance throughout their wilderness journey, showcasing His justice and compassion.
Text
Nehemiah 9 What does this chapter tell us about God.
What we know from chapter 8. As the result of the reading of the word
there was a spiritual revival, the celebration again of the feast of the
tabernacles. The making of the little booths, and the result was great
gladness. Now on the eighth day of the feast they gathered in a solemn
assembly before the Lord.
vs. 1 They were fasting, were wearing sackcloth, and had ashes on their
heads.
vs. 2 They separated themselves from the people of the land, and they had
a time of confession of sin and the iniquities of their fathers.
vs. 3 They read out of the book of the law of the Lord for 1/4 of the
day, then for another 1/4 of the day they worshipped the Lord.
vs. 4 The priests were leading them in the worship saying, "Bless the
Lord your God forever; and blessed be Thy glorious name, which
is exalted above all blessing and praise. You are the Lord alone,
you made the heaven and the earth. The heavens of heavens with all
their hosts, and the earth and all that is in it, the seas and all
that is in them. You preserve them all and the hosts of heaven
worship You.
vs. 8 God made a covenant with Abraham, and He performed His word, for He
is righteous.
vs. 9 He saw the affliction of His people and heard their cry.
vs. 10 He showed signs and wonders upon the Pharaoh and the Egyptians,
thus making a name for Himself.
vs. 11 He divided the Red sea so that they may pass on the dry land, but
He destroyed their persecutors in the midst of the sea.
vs. 12 He led them with the pillar of fire and the cloud.
vs. 13 From Mt. Sinai He spoke to the people and gave them
right judgments.
true laws,
good statutes
and commandments.
vs. 15 Gave them bread from heaven, and water out of the rock, and
promised them the land that they were to go into and possess.
vs. 17 He is a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger,
and of great kindness. Thus He did not forsake them.
vs. 19 In His manifold mercy He did not forsake them in the wilderness.
vs. 20 He gave also His good Spirit to instruct them.
vs. 21 He sustained them for 40 years in the wilderness, so that they
lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did
not swell.
vs. 22 He gave them kingdoms and nations.
vs. 23 He multiplied their numbers.
vs. 24 They possessed the land as He subdued their enemies before them.
vs. 25 The people delighted in His great goodness.
vs. 27 He heard their cries and sent them deliverers according to His
manifold mercies, to save them from their enemies.
vs. 28 Many times He heard them and delivered them from their enemies
according to His mercies.
vs. 30 He put up with them for many years sending to them His prophets
with words of warning.
vs. 31 For His mercies sake He did not utterly destroy them for He is a
gracious and merciful God.
vs. 32 He is a great and mighty and an awesome God.
vs. 33 God is just in all that He did.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to the chapter and its context - The significance of the solemn assembly - The role of fasting and confession
- II points: - Reading of the law and worship - Recognition of God's sovereignty - The importance of God's covenant with Abraham
- III points: - God's deliverance and signs in Egypt - The miraculous crossing of the Red Sea - God's guidance through the wilderness
- IV points: - God's provision in the wilderness - His patience and mercy towards Israel - The sending of prophets for guidance
- V points: - The nature of God's character - God's justice and righteousness - Conclusion on God's enduring mercy
Key Quotes
“You are the Lord alone, you made the heaven and the earth.” — Chuck Smith
“He is a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.” — Chuck Smith
“For His mercies sake He did not utterly destroy them for He is a gracious and merciful God.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Recognize the importance of confession and repentance in our spiritual lives.
- Reflect on God's faithfulness in our own experiences and share that with others.
- Embrace God's mercy and extend it to those around us, just as He has shown to us.