Nehemiah, Part 10: Covenant Renewal
July 30, 2026 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments
Posted in: Pastoral Encouragement
This summer the men are invited to study the book of Nehemiah with one of four groups that will meet twice per month. Nehemiah, however, has valuable truths for the whole church family. I will use this avenue to share some of my findings from studying Nehemiah.
Nehemiah continues to take a backseat in the story for a couple more chapters. As I pointed out last week, his ultimate goal was to provide the means for the people of God to glorify and enjoy God. The wall project, the protection from enemies, the distribution of food, and his governing all aimed to enable the people to worship God in peace. Chapter 8 records the beginning of that worship with the reading of Scripture. Chapters 9 and 10 record the response of the people as they hear the word of God proclaimed in their midst. They confess sin and devote themselves to obedience. Nehemiah was thrilled to see such renewal of covenant faithfulness.
After the reading of God’s word and the joyful celebration and feasting in chapter 8, chapter 9 opens with the people gathering again “with fasting and in sackcloth and with earth on their heads” (9:1). Even though the people were told to not mourn or weep (8:9), there still is a place for grieving sin, repentance, and humility. 9:6-37 is a long corporate confession of sin. Let me touch on some of the highlights.
- The people recount their history. They speak about creation and the choosing of Abraham and the exodus out of Egypt and the conquering of the Promised Land and the rebellion of their kings and the exile. This is a brief retelling of the whole story of the Old Testament. This story is the foundation of their identity. They are the people of a covenant-keeping God. Time and again they sin against their God. And time and again God faithfully shows them mercy.
- The use of adversative conjunctions emphasizes human sin and God’s grace. These conjunctions (but, nevertheless, yet, etc.) combine two opposing or unexpectedly different statements, highlighting the contrast. Let me draw your attention to a few examples. “You gave them bread from heaven…But they stiffened their neck…But you are a God ready to forgive… Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled…” (v. 15, 16, 17, & 26). This back and forth continues throughout the prayer. This literary structure emphasizes the deep contrast between human sinfulness and God’s graciousness. God’s grace is made to look all of the more astonishing when it is contrasted with our sin.
- The people include themselves as sinners. They do not point the finger at their forefathers as if the misery they endured was the result of someone else’s sin. They explicitly state in verse 33, “You have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly.” True confession of sin occurs when individuals acknowledge their own sinfulness. That is where this prayer leads. The people acknowledge that they stand in a long line of sinners… just like us.
Chapter 9 concludes with the people stating, “Because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing” (v. 38). Some call this a covenant renewal ceremony. They hear the Scriptures proclaimed. They rejoice in God’s grace. They grieve and repent of their sin. And then they renew their desire to live as faithful followers of God’s covenant. In some senses, this also is a corporate act of repentance. Westminster Shorter Catechism question 87 states, “Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.” They apprehended the mercy of God in chapter 8. They grieve and turn from their sin in chapter 9. And now in chapter 10 they endeavor after new obedience.
In 10:29 the people affirm to “enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s law.” This is their endeavor after new obedience. The rest of the chapter highlights several particular areas of importance. These areas were pertinent to that generation of believers. They commit to avoid intermarriage with foreigners (thus maintaining faithful worship of the true God), keep the Sabbath, maintain debt forgiveness, and offer appropriate offerings and tithes to maintain the temple worship. These actions would distinguish them as the covenant people of Yahweh. The history of Israel demonstrates that the Israelites compromised faithfulness to God in order to blend in with other people. Now the people renew their commitment to be faithful to God’s covenant.
We have the same opportunity every week in Sunday worship. We apprehend the mercy of God through the reading of Scripture, the singing of hymns and spiritual songs, and the observance of the Lord’s Supper. We humble ourselves in the confession of sin. And we devote ourselves to endeavor after new obedience as we receive the preached Word. We stand in a long line of sinners…. a long line of believers depending on God’s grace.
