Nehemiah 1:8-9 Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commands thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them, though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.
Nehemiah’s prayer recalls Moses’ prophecy from Deuteronomy: blessing and curse: if you transgress I will scatter you; if you turn to Me and keep I will gather you. In other words, blessing will come if you keep my Word, curses will come if you transgress my commandments. This so-called Deuteronomic History played out as prophesied in the OT story. Now they have come to the place where God’s people are willing to renew their covenant promise.
Those returning from Exile have a chance to respond by turning to God and keeping their part of the covenant. If they repent, they will be blessed and live in peace and prosperity. If they do not, they will be cursed and scattered. His prayer reminds God, and himself and his people, of His Word of threat and promise, and he repents and recommits to the Lord.
So also we learn it is that way with us: scattered or gathered, blessed or cursed, depending on our response of transgressing or turning. For the purpose of blessing and gathering, Jesus Christ has come into our world to live for us to grant us God’s righteousness. By faith in Him we are blessed with forgiveness, righteousness, and all the riches of His glory. Daily we turn. Daily we believe and receive.