REPENTANCE, CONFESSION AND SUPPLICATION
Nehemiah 8 and 9
“On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. 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.”
It is interesting to note from chapter 8 that when they first began, in the seventh month, there was a lot of emotion; many tears were shed. But the leaders of the assembly persuaded the people not to grieve, to be calm, and to celebrate with joy instead.
Then came a period when the words of the Law were read and taught and discussed and obeyed. And now, on the twenty-fourth day, the time for repentance came.
Rather than encourage repentance when the people were filled with emotion and weeping, the leaders sought to anchor the people’s repentance on the Word of God. And so when they gathered, when they fasted, when they put on the symbols of remorse, and when they set themselves apart unto God, everyone was clear and deliberate in their choice and action.
This, I believe, is a good template for our own response to God. There is a time and place for emotion but in this particular case, the leaders wanted a sober and decisive response.
The long statement of confession, couched as a document of praise and worship, was remarkably empty of justifications, excuses and attempts to dress up their wrongs: In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly.
From their study of the Scriptures, they understood that it is God’s compassion, the defence of God’s name and reputation, and God’s intentions and purposes, that they must appeal to, and not their own cause or agenda or qualification. And this they did.
“Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes—the hardship that has come on us, on our kings and leaders, on our priests and prophets, on our ancestors and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today.”