Renewal

Nehemiah 9-10

            The latter part of Nehemiah describes the returnees being taught the Law, probably initially (8:3) only the book of Deuteronomy. In some ways  the entire section—chapters 8-10—seem to be a reenactment of Deuteronomy. In Deuteronomy, the people were instructed right before they went over into the promised land, including a recitation of their own sacred history, and they renewed the covenant before setting out. Here they are instructed (chapter 8), they recount their sacred history (chapter 9), and they renew the covenant with curses and blessings (chapter 10). In the period between the testaments, the re-telling of Israel’s sacred history became a regular feature of much of their literature, and renewal of the covenant was well-attested. One can make a strong case that that is exactly what John the Baptizer was doing when he summoned Israel into the wilderness to symbolically cross the Jordan again.

            Periodic renewal is a fine thing. There’s nothing wrong with a church that plans special events to re-focus on their dedication to God and to His mission. On the other hand, every day ought to be a day of personal renewal for the child of God. In the Small Catechism, we read about the ongoing significance of Baptism, namely, that “the old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.” Periodic renewal is fine, but it becomes less necessary if we are renewing ourselves in our Baptism every day!