Nehemiah 9:4-6 - Homiletics

United praise.

Commencement of the worship and confessions with general praise.

I. THE LEADERS OF THE WORSHIP . An honourable and responsible office.

II. THEIR EXHORTATION TO THE PEOPLE .

1 . As to the attitude in which they were to offer praise. "Stand up"—the fitting posture for this part of Divine worship.

2 . As to the praise they were to offer.

III. THE UNITED PRAISE .

1 . Introductory.

2 . Praise of God as "Jehovah alone."

3 . Ascription to him of the creation of all things ( Nehemiah 9:6 ). A great truth not only unknown to most of the heathen, but given up by many cultivated men in Christian lands. In the praise of God the display of his power, wisdom, and goodness in the work of creation should hold a prominent place. He who made all should receive homage from all his intelligent creatures.

IV. THE RECOGNITION OF OTHER WORSHIPPERS . "The host of heaven worshippeth thee." It is inspiring, when uniting in Divine worship, to remember our fellow-worshippers, and thus cultivate fellowship with them (compare the beginning of the Te Deum). The Jews had not this satisfaction in respect to any other people. They alone worshipped the true God, and they had not learned to think and feel as to heathen worship that it was about equivalent to their own. All the more gladly did they recognise that their God, unknown and unworshipped by the rest of the world, was adored and praised and served by hosts of exalted intelligences in other worlds. To us, also, this is an inspiriting truth, adapted to stimulate and elevate our worship. The greatest beings God has made bow down with lowliness before him, and with all the ardour of their seraphic nature celebrate his praise. We need not be ashamed to be like them, but should seek to make our worship resemble theirs as nearly as possible, and be thankful that, through the mediation of our Redeemer, in whom heaven and earth are united, it is as acceptable to God. They praise the Saviour as well as the Creator; we praise him with a feeling they cannot share; for he redeemed us by his blood, not them.