In Nehemiah 9 and 10 the people of Israel separate themselves from the foreigners and spend half a day in worship and repentance. They listen to the law of God and confess their sins. Ezra remembers in prayer the history of the people from the covenant made with Abraham until the present time, and the steadfast love of God, who continues to forgive them their sins and never forsakes them.

They sign a document of promise to follow God’s law including keeping themselves from intermarrying with foreigners and supporting the sooth running of the house of God.

Having come out of exile the people are profoundly aware of the result of their sin and God’s mercy toward them. They have had a spiritual awakening. They know that the keeping of the law and maintaining right worship are essential to upholding their part of the covenant with God. We, too, need to remember what it means to maintain our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We must stay devoted to reading God’s word, to regular worship, and to active service of the Lord by helping others. These are the things we promise at baptism and are our covenant with God.

Psalm 78:38-72 continues to tell the story of the people of Israel when they were in the wilderness and their coming to the Promised Land: how God was faithful and how the people kept turning away. The psalm ends with the choosing of David to lead the people of God.