National Confession in Nehemiah

1 day

A post-exile communal fast with confession and scripture.

A gathered community fasts, confesses, and rehearses Israel's story. It is a mature picture of fasting as covenant renewal shaped by the word of God.

Scripture

Nehemiah 9:1-3

1 Now in the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackcloth, and earth on them.

2 The seed of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

3 They stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of Yahweh their God a fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshiped Yahweh their God.