Homiletics (13)

Nehemiah 9-10

I. Content

v. 9:1-5 Israel fast w/ sackcloth, confess sin, read law, worshiped God w/ Levites

v.6-8 Praise God creator, host of heaven, rescued Abram, keeps promise, is righteous

v.9-15 recount of God rescue Israel from Egypt, led through wilderness, gave law and land

v.16-21 People disobeyed, made idol, yet God did not forsake but led/sustained them

v.22-27 Gave them land, multiplied people yet they rebelled, killed prophets so given to enemies

v.28-31 People did evil, God gave them to enemies but did not forsake them

v.32-37 People rejected law but God keeps covenant, people in land yet suffer under foreign kings

v.9:38-10:27 people made covenant (princes, Levites, priests w/ list of names)

v.28-31 all Israel join to obey God’s law: not intermarry, not buy on Sabbath, honor Jubilee

v.32-38 vow to not neglect God’s house by tithing money, firstfruit, firstborn, etc.

II. Divisions

I. The people confess sins, read the law, and worship God (9:1-5)

II. The people recount God’s work in the history of Israel (9:6-9:37)

III. The people make a covenant to obey God’s law and not neglect God’s house by tithing (9:38-10:39)

III. Subject sentence

Under Nehemiah, Israel remembers God’s faithfulness and covenants obedience, reinstituting tithing for God’s house.

IV. Aim

Cause the audience to learn although Israel disobeyed God, He remained faithful and mercifully provided for His people.

V. Application

What sin, either corporate or personal, do I need to confess to God?

What regular practice can I implement to remember God’s faithfulness to help fuel obedience in my life?

Where can I more faithfully give to God, knowing everything I have he has provided for me?