Background
The book of Nehemiah and the book of Ezra go together and
were originally one book. These books follow 1-2 Chronicles which end with King
Cyrus’ edict for the Jews to return to their land. Ezra begins with Cyrus’
edict and Nehemiah continues the story. The Jews had spent 70 years in exile
and bondage to Babylon. It is not a surprise then that the Jewish community was
struggling with its identity for both those in exile and those who had remained
in the land of Judah. The reason the people of God then were in exile was
because of their disobedience in the covenant of God.
As you read through the narratives of Ezra/Nehemiah, several themes emerge that are quite relevant to the people of God today. I will only mention these themes (taken from both the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible and the ESV Study Bible), and then we will read a prayer that is found in Nehemiah 9 that can help teach and challenge us as God’s covenant people for 2026.
Themes
1. God is Sovereign. The Lord then and today
rules over both creation and history. The Lord moved the heart of King Cyrus
and Artaxerxes to accomplish His purposes for His people. You could choose to
read 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, and then Ezra and Nehemiah in that order keeping
this theme in mind.
a.
This can serve as a great encouragement to you
as we enter into 2026 and all the things we see going on in the world knowing
that our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. No matter what may
assail the Covenant people of God today, Jesus will build His church and the
gates of hell will not prevail against it.
2. The Worship of God. Many years before the
walls of Jerusalem and any buildings were rebuilt, the first action of the
returning exiles was rebuilding the altar. After this, they rebuilt the temple
and celebrated the Passover. This shows us that the worship of God took priority
even over their security and daily living needs.
a.
As the New Year begins, it is a great time to
take note of where our priorities are. The Jews were just coming out of a very
long and painful lesson of what their unfaithfulness brought them. Paul writes
to us in 1 Cor. 10:11 regarding the Exodus that “…these things happened to them
as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end
of the ages has come.” This certainly applies not only to the Pentateuch, but
to the whole Old Testament.
3. The written Word of God. The books of
Ezra and Nehemiah frequently refer to the Psalms, the Prophets, and the Torah.
They often read from it publicly in the hearing of all the people and many of
the priests spent ample time to explain it and give its meaning. In the great
reformations seen among the people of God in those days, the written Word of
God was central to His people.
a.
It is probably obvious to us all how this theme
is relevant to us today. If the Bible is not central in our lives we will
suffer great losses. We have the immense privilege of having a full and
complete canon. This gives us more light and understanding than that of the
Jews in those days and also places more responsibility on us. Let us renew our
resolve to the Lord in our personal study and obedience to God’s Word as well
as to the public preaching of it from those who faithfully give the sense of
it. “They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the
sense, so that the people understood the reading.” Neh. 8:8
4. God is Faithful. While the unfaithfulness
of the people of God brought them into exile, slavery, and bondage under
foreign rulers, the Lord never gave up on His people.
a.
He is faithful in temptations. “No
temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he
will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he
will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor.
10:13
b.
He is faithful to keep you in Him. “No
may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit
and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He
who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” 1 Thess, 5:23-24
c.
He is faithful in His protections. “But
the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil
one.” 2 Thess. 3:3
In the days of Nehemiah, the people of God made a covenant among themselves to be faithful to God and walk in His ways (Neh. 10:28-29). This was something they put down in writing and signed their names to it making a public profession. We have also done something similar among the saints of God at Riverside Community Church. It therefore seems good to me that we remember the solemn oath we took. After reading our vows, I will read the prayer from Nehemiah 9. I encourage each one of you to listen as attentively as possible and with a reverent and solemn spirit.
(All of) you being here present to make a public
profession of faith, are to assent to the following declarations and promises,
by which you enter into a solemn covenant with God and His Church.
1. Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in
the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save in
His sovereign mercy?
2. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the
Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone
for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?
3. Do you now resolve and promise, in humble
reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as
becomes the followers of Christ?
4. Do you promise to support the Church in its
worship and work to the best of your ability?
5. Do you submit yourselves to the government and
discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity and peace?
Read Nehemiah Chapter 9
May the Lord bless each of you at the beginning of this year
and incline your whole heart to love Him with all your heart, with all your
soul, and with all your might. Amen.
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