It’s a long word in a long summary that catches my attention this morning. A long word used only a few times in the Old Testament but twice in this morning’s reading in Nehemiah. A long word which captures a perhaps less thought of aspect of sin — an aspect, however, that maybe should be noodled on more. A long word — thirteen letters, five syllables (I think) — worth chewing on.

In my bible, the heading for Nehemiah 9 is The People of Israel Confess Their Sin. The walls have been rebuilt, the people have been regathered, and the word of God is being reread (Neh. 8). And the light of the Law of Moses reveals clearly the depths of darkness which saw a people delivered from Egypt eventually sent into exile in Babylon. And so, Nehemiah gathers the people for corporate confession.

Before confession is made, though, context is set. The first part of Nehemiah 9 (verses 5-15) begins with worship, with standing up and blessing the God who alone is LORD. Of acknowledging Him as Maker of heaven and earth. Of remembering Him as the Chooser of Abram and his seed. Of knowing Him as the Promise-Keeper who pledged a land for His people. Of praising Him as the Deliverer who brought them out of Egypt. Of thanking Him as the Sustainer who gave them bread from heaven and water from the rock in the wilderness.

And then, that dreaded word . . . “But”! That awful word . . . “Yet”.

“But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey Your commandments. . . .”

“And You warned them in order to turn them back to Your law. Yet they acted presumptuously and did not obey Your commandments, but sinned against Your rules, which if a person does them, he shall live by them, and they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck and would not obey.”

(Nehemiah 9:16, 29 ESV)

And there’s that long word . . . Presumptuously.

After all God had done for His people, after He had miraculously delivered them and had faithfully provided for them and patiently sought to direct them, they in turn acted presumptuously.

Other bible translations render the original word as acted proudly or acted arrogantly. But the ESV reserves that translation for the Egyptians (9:10), enemies of God who knew God only through “signs and wonders” and who refused to humble themselves before His great power (9:10). For God’s people, those who knew God through covenant and deliverance, their rebellion sourced in pride and arrogance was akin to acting presumptuously.

Having known God’s power to release from bondage, they would use their freedom to freely pursue the ways of the world. Having received from God’s good hand abundant blessings, they would take it from there and do as they please. Having benefited from God’s gracious gifts, they would go on to somehow convince themselves that these gifts were really the fruit of their own efforts and merit. And so, rather than humble themselves, rather than cling to the promises and desire to be obedient, they acted presumptuously.

Yeah, it’s a long word. But if I’m honest with myself, apart from God’s patience and grace, it’s a short path from walking out of Egypt and then being sent to Babylon for a timeout — the path of acting presumptuously.

Oh, that my pride might not lead me to take for granted His provision. That my arrogance would not quench a desire to respond to His abundance.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.