02/01/2023 – Day 339 – Nehemiah – Chapters 5 through 9 // National Confession of Sin
In Chapter eight, we are told that Ezra read the law of Moses to the people from daybreak until noon, with all people listening attentively. How many of us can’t get through a 30 minute sermon today, without drifting off?
Here is my footnote on verse 8:3: “Some scholars argue that much of the Old Testament Scriptures were written or obtained their current form during the post exilic period. The reverse that the people show for the Scriptures in this public reading dictates against this argument. Their response suggests that the people had a long-standing knowledge of and love for their sacred writings.”
Likewise in 8:14, the footnote reads: “Instructions for the observance of the Festival of Booths are found in Leviticus 23: 34 – 42. This passage in New attributes these instructions to Moses, providing further support for an early date for the Pentateuch and its Mosaic authorship.”
Here is the footnote for 9:7: “The following confession provides a fairly comprehensive summary of Israel’s past. It is evident that their history was well known, which suggests that much of it was already written and in circulation prior to the post-exilic period.”
Finally, the footnote 9:10-11: “Many people today question whether or not the miracles recorded in the Bible actually occurred. These Jews, who had suffered so long in captivity and were now restored to their homeland, did not question them. They believed their God had performed these miracles in their distant past.”
All footnote references come from my “Apologetics Study Bible”, published by Holman CSB.
We will finish Nehemiah next Wednesday with a recording in Chapter 10 of those seals were on “Israel’s Vow of Faithfulness”. Our remnant Church should follow that example, for we also will be tasked with rebuilding the walls.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Your brother in Christ,
Jimmy