Monday, May 27, 2013

Neh 8-9 Humanity Verses Divinity

May 27th,  Nehemiah 8-9

       In chapter 9 we get the Reader's Digest version of the OT. Let me give you the Reader's Digest of the Reader's Digest!!

Stand up and bless the Glorious name of God

       God made the heavens, called Abram, kept promises.
              Saw the affliction in Egypt, delivered Your people
       The sea parted, cloud/fire stayed, Mt. Sinai provided a gift.
              Provided bread/water, we went all Sinatra on You and did it my way
       Stiffnecked leader wanted to return to Israel, Because of Your love we weren't forsaken
              We made a golden calf in our folly, Your great mercy was a blessing
       You led us with a cloud/fire, Gave your Spirit to instruct, did not withhold water/bread
              Sustained us for 40 years in the desert, lacked nothing, clothes/sandals didn't wear out
       You gave us kingdoms, houses we didn't build, vineyards we didn't plant, wells we didn't dig
              In exchange we disobeyed, rebelled, cast your law behind us, killed your prophets
       You warned us, we didn't listen, our enemies overtook us.
              We cried out to you because we finally learned, You brought us saviors in your great mercy
       The cycle repeated itself, You heard from heaven and delivered according to your mercies
              repeat line above, nevertheless You did not forsake them
        "Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps    covenant and steadfast love...You have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly."
       The last line is certainly the theme. God's faithfulness as contrast to our ultra-consistent failure. The point of this passage is not what we can discover about humanity, but what we can discover about God.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Join the discussion, add an insight, learn together.