Points of the covenant

[30] And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons: [31] And [if] the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, [that] we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and [that] we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt. [32] Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God; [33] For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy [things], and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and [for] all the work of the house of our God. [34] And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring [it] into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as [it is] written in the law: [35] And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD: [36] Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as [it is] written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God: [37] And [that] we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage. [38] And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house. [39] For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where [are] the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God. Nehemiah 10:30-39

What was in the covenant? The people had been away from God and His Word for so long, when they heard it (Nehemiah 8 & 9) they wanted to put it “into action”.

Here are the points:

~ Not intermarry with the “people of the land”
Deuteronomy 7:3
~ To keep the Sabbath, no buying of goods
Exodus 20:10
~ Seventh year rest of the land
Leviticus 25:4
~ Release of debt
Deuteronomy 15:2
~ Pay for the upkeep of the house of God
Exodus 30:16
~ Lots draw for keepers of wood for offering

~ First fruit offerings
Proverbs 3:9
~ Tithes and uses of
Numbers 18:26
~ Will not forsake the house of God – the assembly of themselves as well as upkeep of temple

After neglecting the Lord and His Word, they were now ready to obey and “do the right thing”.

At one time or another we all have neglected the Word. We neglect it by being “too busy”. We neglect it by not doing what it says or doing it half heartedly. Spend time reading God’s Word, not reading what people say about God’s Word.

Make a commitment today to spend time with the Lord in His word.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Psalm 119:16

Have a blessed day,
Donna

The rest of the people

[28] And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding; [29] They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes; Nehemiah 10:28-29

The people who did not sign the covenant make an agreement to abide with the signers. Even though not everyone signed they showed their allegiance by making an oath. They would walk in God’s law and do all the commandments of God.

Today we have two commandments (the ten rolled up into two). In James 2:8 it is called the ‘Royal law’. Am I obeying these commandments to the fullest? Are you?

Ask the Lord to show you how to carry out the ‘royal law’. Start by prayer and searching His word.

[37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:37-40

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Signers of the Covenant

[1] Now those that sealed [were], Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah, … [27] Malluch, Harim, Baanah. Nehemaih 10:1-27

Chapter ten starts as a continuation of chapter nine, naming all those who signed the covenant. Notice whose name is mentioned first, my hero, Nehemiah. Nehemiah was not ashamed to stand up for what was right. He was a leader of the community who had faith in Almighty God and was willing to stand for what he believed.

The people meant business, not just giving God “lip service” but put it down in writing. They were serious about serving God.

We live in a different time and different place, but we still need to be serious in our service to God.

God is not in the lottery business; “God let’s make a deal”.

God is not in the game business; “God I’ll do this if you do that”.

God is in the soul saving business. Once his sacrifice has been accepted (Jesus dying on the cross for our sin), He wants us to live for Him.

Make a commitment to God today; “Not my will but your will be done.”

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalm 23:3

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Romans 13:1

Have a blessed day,
Donna