On the appointed day, “the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads” (Nehemiah 9:1). It would be a day of solemn contemplation on the word of the Lord, with deep confession of sin: they “read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a fourth part of the day, and for another fourth they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God” (9:3).

Add that up, and they had a service that had already run for six hours: but they weren’t done yet. At this point the leaders gave a loud shout to the Lord – which perhaps also served to focus the attention of the multitude – and then they called out: “Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise!” (9:5).

The Hebrew text simply continues the prayer; the Septuagint (the second-century BC translation of the Old Testament into Greek) provides the detail that Ezra was the one who now led in prayer. He recounted the mighty deeds of the Lord in establishing the nation (9:6-25), and in allowing Israel to be sent into Exile and then restoring them (9:26-31). He then acknowledged “You have been just in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly” (9:33). Ezra offered his plea that God would help them in their misery: “Here we are, slaves to this day – slaves in the land that you gave to our ancestors to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts. Its rich yield goes to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins; they have power also over our bodies, and over our livestock at their pleasure, and we are in great distress” (9:36-37).

It is so hard to imagine a genuine Day of National Confession today. First off, not many would take part. Second, those who did participate would probably want to “confess” the politicized sins they saw in others. And third, we would expect the whole thing to be over in one hour.

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Speak to the hearts of our nation, O God, and teach us repentance, that we might confess how we have turned away from your good purpose, desiring to get our own way. Move in our hearts, motivating us to seek your blessing for all people, with our deeds and with our prayers – rather than each of us focusing our efforts on getting what we want for ourselves.