The historical prologue continues apace as the returning nation of Israel recounts their relationship with Yahweh during a timely covenant renewal ceremony. The model given the nation in Deut 27:1-8 provides the legal precedent for this culturally significant repentance gathering. As the nation confesses their sins and the sins of their fathers, they affirm the sovereign intentions of a just and merciful God who has revealed Himself to them through the ages as Judge and Savior. The language of Nehemiah 9 continues with manifold 'ascribing' references... It is the sovereign Lord who “gave them into the hand of their enemies”, “heard from heaven”, and “gave them saviors” (27). This pattern of idolatrous sin leading to judgement leading to desperate pleas for deliverance leading to God's appointing a way of escape in His mercy... is a cycle repeated numerous times in the book of judges. It is the legacy of the heirs of the promised land summarized in the record leading up to the Assyrian exile in II Kings 17. This all too familiar song is now sung centuries later by the faithful band returning under Ezra and Nehemiah's leadership to rebuild Jerusalem as a nation, a people and a center of worship under God. The 'ascribing' language is paired throughout this portion with confessional honesty recalling the faithlessness of prior generations. In verses 29-30 the contrasting language follows the works of the Lord with “yet they” statements. “You warned them”... “Yet they acted presumptuously”, “You bore with them... “Yet they would not give ear”. Finally the people signal this timeline intersecting with their present era as they confess in verse 33: “We have acted wickedly...” As a consequence, they recognize the justice of God's heavy hand upon them... (36) “We are slaves this day in the land that You gave to our fathers to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts, behold we are slaves...” This is the sound of repentance.