Nehemiah 8-10

“Behold, we are slaves today …” (9:36).  As the people of Israel re-dedicated themselves to serving God and obeying His commandments, they confessed their sins.  God had brought them out of Egypt and defeated their enemies, giving them a beautiful land filled with “cisterns, vineyards, olive groves, fruit trees in abundance” (9:25).  But once they were settled, they forgot God.  Their land was conquered, and they were exiled from Israel.  When they returned, Israel was no longer independent or strong.

Israel’s story is humanity’s story.  Rejecting God’s goodness, we became slaves to sin.  Yet, “Thou art a God of forgiveness” (v17), and in mercy He rescued us.