Nehemiah 12:43 > The High Point of Reformation! Nehemiah 12:44-47 & 13:1-3 > Two Appendices Nehemiah 13:4-31 > Coda (Failure)

Including two audio excerpts featuring Don Carson: "We earnestly seek reformation, but help us never to be so foolish as to imagine that by our reforms, by our organization, by our gifts, somehow we will bring in utopia. For this, merciful God, we await in eager anticipation the return of your dear Son, and we cry, 'Have mercy upon us. Come, Lord Jesus, come.' Amen."

* D. A. Carson, “Nehemiah: The Triumph and Failure of Reformation — Part 5,” in D. A. Carson Sermon Library (Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2016), Ne 11–13.

Nehemiah 12:1-43

Gregory Goswell (Academic Dean at Christ College in New Zealand) writes in A Study Commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah, (EP, 2013), 380. "There is little prospect of Nehemiah 11 becoming one of the Old Testament's most famous or best loved chapters. The modern reader does not find long lists of difficult Hebrew names very interesting. The chapter is not, however, without its value or purpose.. Coming as it does after chapters 8-10 that have described the reformation of the people and the revival of spiritual life among them, it makes the point that only now are the people in a fit state to inhabit the holy city [Jerusalem]."

In other words, the developing theme and theology contained in Ezra-Nehemiah is that in spite of all their recent hardships, Israel are still the LORD's chosen people. Further, the LORD's purposes of redemption, His rule and reign, are inseparably tied to Jerusalem ("the holy city") -- and these Israelites' actions believe that.

Nehemiah 11

So many genealogies! So many names! Why does it matter to God?| In Nehemiah, it is evident the people understand and support the larger mission to reestablish Jerusalem. Similarly, the Church is tasked with a mission bigger than any of our own individual aspirations. What is the mission?

Nehemiah 10:30-39

We draw our attention to understanding the significance of the three specific categories to which the Israelites pledge their obedience (and how those categories apply to the Christian Church).

Special message on the meaning and significance of Christian baptism.

Nehemiah 10:30-39

It is relatively *easy* to talk in general terms about making necessary changes, but now Israel gets down to some very specific, identifiable, measurable steps:

1. Intermarriages (family)
2. Sabbaths
3. Supporting Temple ministry

Nehemiah 9:38-10:29

Most Christian's view of Mosaic Law is entirely shaded by what the Apostle Paul teaches about the failure of the Law to justify the sinner. No matter how hard s/he tries, it isn't good enough to gain entrance into the kingdom of heaven. So how are we to understand Israel's pledge in Nehemiah 9:38 and 10:29: "Because of all this we are making a binding agreement in writing on a sealed document … and we enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord and His rules and His statutes."

Nehemiah 9:26-37

Peter Adam writes in Reading the Bible Today Series (2014): "The big structure is that God had blessed [Israel] (vv 6-15), God had blessed them despite their rebellion (vv 16-25), and that they had rebelled despite God's blessing (vv 26-31)."