“In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.”
“The rest of the people—priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand- (Nehemiah 9:38, 10:28 )
Okay, so Recommit starts at the end of Chapter 9. (I wasn’t in charge of numbering verses.) Having announced their intention in Nehemiah 9:38, Ezra gives us a list of those who are ratifying the covenant in verses 10:1-28. Then, he gives us the text of the covenant in verses 10:29-39.
“…all these now join their brothers the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the LORD our Lord.
“We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons.
“When the neighboring peoples bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts.
“We assume the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God: for the bread set out on the table; for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings; for the offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moon festivals and appointed feasts; for the holy offerings; for sin offerings to make atonement for Israel; and for all the duties of the house of our God…We will not neglect the house of our God.” (Nehemiah 10:29-33, 39)
If you skimmed the Scripture above, here are the cliff notes. The Jews committed to walking with the Lord by returning to four gate-keeping rules that would protect them from temptation. They pledged to:
· Follow the law of God given through Moses (10:28-29)
· Not intermarry with the neighboring peoples (10:30)
· Honor the Sabbath (10:31)
· Make regular tithes and offerings of different types to support the temple (10:32-39)
I told you they were serious. If the list of commitments is making you nervous, remember that they were under the Law. Because of Christ, we are under grace. You don’t have to work through this list when you recommit to walking with God. That said, we can learn from it. How much stronger against temptation would you be if you reviewed what made you fall and then established gate-keeping rules to guard against it?
As the old saying goes, those who don’t know their history are destined to repeat it. I mentioned it earlier, but it bears repeating. If you fall, learn from it. Search your wall for weak spots and post a guard. Rework your gate-keeping rules to make them more effective at keeping the bad stuff out. Plan your defense, and then stick to your plan.
Wallbuilder Ministries 