We pick back up in Nehemiah tonight at chapter 9:26. Ezra has been giving the inhabitants of Jerusalem a lesson from their common history. It is one of willfulness and rebellion, which is kind of man's normal course. In their case, it was done in rebellion against God and it had catastrophic results, thus their captivity.

Ezra continues the thoughts on their history through the end of chapter 9 in order to remind the people of how they had come to that moment in time. He calls them to account so as remind them that all of this tremendous work of restoration can be undone by similar rebellion on their part.

This has such important application to us here and now. Though we are not Israel, we are a covenant people (The Church) and God has made it abundantly clear that we are to follow where He leads. He hasn't given us a list of do's and don'ts, He calls us to walk by faith and the leading of The Holy Spirit.
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