Today we finish our series on the book of Nehemiah.
Let’s review:
God raised up a man of prayer, faith and conviction to lead his people. He gave them success against impossible odds. He gave them able teachers of the Word. He gave them His Spirit to convict them of their sins and turn their hearts to the law. He gave them a strong and stable city filled with joyous songs of praise.
In the climax of the story the people make a firm covenant with the Lord to change their ways and obey him. They dedicated the wall with a celebration so boisterous the sound could be heard miles away.
Nehemiah returned to Susa with the sights and sounds of glory ringing in his ears. Some time later he requested leave to revisit the city and check in on his people. What did he find?
He found a temple corrupted by foreign influences. He found streets filled with commerce on the Sabbath. He found children of foreign marriages who didn’t even speak Hebrew. He found the tithe boxes empty and the priests gone in search of paychecks. (The very activities they had made a firm covenant to never do again!)
The final history of the Old Testament leaves us with the sound of Nehemiah cursing and beating the people.
What’s the point of it all?
The message of the failed revival of Nehemiah is clear: we need help! There is a stubborn bias towards sin in the human heart that cannot be changed. No revival of the law, no firm covenants, no beatings or cursing is enough. (Romans 7:20-24)
It is over this bleak darkness that the light of Christmas will dawn. The Scriptures move us from Nehemiah’s rage to the man in the wilderness calling out, “behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
The book of Nehemiah calls us to abandon all trust in human effort and to throw ourselves in the merciful arms of Christ. His sacrificial, atoning death can take away our sins. His victorious, indwelling life can transform us in righteousness.
Praise God!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me! (Galatians 2:20)
Tom Brown is the planting pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Wichita. Tom and his wife, Mandy, have worked together in ministry for 18 years and have four children. More about Pastor Tom Brown