August 5, 2013
Lesson for August 11, 2013: Community of Confession (Nehemiah 9:1-37)
By Sam E. Stone Today”s lesson comes immediately after last week”s text (Nehemiah 8:2, 3, 13-18). Following the observance of the Feast of Tabernacles, the people had a single day off. Then their feasting turned to fasting. James B. Coffman points out, “A very important revelation of this chapter is that it was the Levites, and not the priests, who led Israel in this penitential prayer of confession and praise to God . . . . There is not a word in this chapter that even hints of any priestly participation in this great repentance, confession and prayer.” The text
