Neh 9:1-37 | TNotes

9:2 ^a Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners as they confessed their own sins: This sentence might allude to the problem of intermarriage with foreigners, as narrated in Ezra 9–10 ^b.
9:3 ^c They confessed their sins after hearing God’s word (cp. 8:1-9 ^d, 13-14 ^e, 18 ^f).
Summary for Neh 9:5-37: 9:5-37 ^g This long prayer confesses the nation’s sins and praises God for his compassion throughout history (cp. Pss 105–106 ^h; 135–136 ⁱ). It prompted listeners to confess their own unfaithfulness and to call on God to be compassionate and forgive their sins.
Summary for Neh 9:5-6: 9:5-6 ^j The Levites’ prayer praised God for his glorious reputation, his sole divinity, his creation of the universe, his providential care for life on earth, and his worship by angels. Putting the focus on God brought Israel’s present circumstances into proper perspective.
Summary for Neh 9:7-8: 9:7-8 ^k God’s actions with Abram—calling him (Gen 12:1-3 ^l; 15:7 ^m), giving him a new name and identity (Gen 17:5 ⁿ), making a covenant with him (Gen 15:6-21 ^o; 17:4-5 ^p), and fulfilling his promises of land and descendants (Gen 15:18-21 ^q)—demonstrated God’s faithfulness and inspired confidence about what God would do in the future.
9:9 ^r God had paid attention to his people’s misery under foreign domination (Exod 2:23-25 ^s; 3:7 ^t; 14:10-14 ^u), which was analogous to their present situation (Neh 9:32-37 ^v).
Summary for Neh 9:10-11: 9:10-11 ^w You have a glorious reputation: In the Exodus, God had demonstrated his character with plagues, parting the sea, and defeating the arrogant Egyptian army (Exod 15:5 ^x, 9-10 ^y, 19 ^z).
Summary for Neh 9:12-21: 9:12-21 ^aa This prayer reminded the people of God’s miraculous direction of Israel in the wilderness (Exod 13:21-22 ^ab), his personal appearance at Mount Sinai to reveal his covenant laws through Moses (see Exod 19–20 ^ac), and his faithfulness in providing bread ... and water (see Exod 16:4 ^ad; 17:1-6 ^ae). Despite all of that, Israel’s ancestors had been proud and stubborn and refused to obey (see Exod 32 ^af; Num 14:4 ^ag). Yet in his grace, God remained faithful and had compassion (see Exod 34:6 ^ah) and provided his Spirit to direct and teach them (cp. Exod 33:2 ^ai; Num 11:17 ^aj).
9:24 ^ak You subdued whole nations: See Josh 6–12 ^al.
9:25 ^am Cp. Deut 6:10-11 ^an; 8:6-10 ^ao.

• they were full and grew fat: Prosperity proved to include spiritual danger (see Deut 8:11-20 ^ap).
Summary for Neh 9:26-27: 9:26-27 ^aq The prayer recounts the pattern in the book of Judges (see Judg 2:11-23 ^ar).
Summary for Neh 9:28-31: 9:28-31 ^as The people did not learn from mistakes made in the period of the judges (9:26-27 ^at), and the same pattern of disobedience emerged during the subsequent monarchy (cp. 2 Kgs 17 ^au). Despite the nation’s persistent disobedience (Neh 9:29 ^av), God was persistent in his love, patience, compassion, and guidance through the Spirit and through the prophets.
Summary for Neh 9:32-37: 9:32-37 ^aw And now: The prayer moves to the current situation, petitioning the great ... God—who has unfailing love—for continued love and mercy to his people in their present difficult situation (9:32 ^ax). The leaders recognized God’s justice in punishing them for their sins (9:33-35 ^ay), and they lamented their enslavement under the Persians (9:36-37 ^az).