Nehemiah 10 TCC 1-14-18

V. 1-27 People on record who signed the agreement to walk in obedience to God’s commands. How appropriate that the list begins with the governor. (a legal document with 84 names – 1 governor, 22 priests, 17 Levites, 44 leaders)

V. 28-30 More than just the leadership is convicted to commit to this pursuit. - “Now the rest of the people…all who had knowledge and understanding…” - “are taking on themselves a curse and an oath to walk in God’s law…and to keep and observe all the commandments” - particularly with regard to covenants with the nations God was judging and driving out of the promised land - Cf. Ex. 34:12-32; Dt. 7:3-9 - “Both from the principle and the exceptions to the rule, warnings against intermarriage were clearly concerned not so much about miscegenation as about spiritual adulteration.” Edwin Yamauchi, EBC.Vol. 4, p. 677 (Note how this can parallel a New Testament teaching in 2 Cor. 6:14-16.)

V. 31-34 Not only in intermarriage but other areas of unfaithfulness like: - Keeping the sabbath day holy (Ex. 20:8) - No buying and selling on the sabbath (Jer. 17:19-23; Amos 8:4-6) - Giving rest to the land, and other laborers (in trust of the God who ordered them to do so) (Ex. 23: 10-12; Lev. 25:2-7) - Forgiving debts (Dt. 15:1-3) - Contributing to the service in God’s house (The showbread, grain offerings, and sin / burnt offerings) (Ex. 30:11-16) At first the contribution was more of a symbolic ransom set at ½ a shekel but later Joash used the contributions to make repairs to the Temple (2 Chr. 24:4-14). Here it is 1/3 shekel. There are different opinions about this difference, though there was a possible difference in weight standards making these about the same. - The “holy things” probably include lamp oil, service apparel, and incense etc. - Observing holy days, feasts, new moons, appointed times (Num. 28:9-16) - and in general, all the work for God’s house - Casting lots for the supply of wood needed for the altar (undesignated but greatly needed – cf. Lev. 6:13; Neh. 13:31)

The general tone of this commitment was that they would make the worship of God a chief priority.

V. 35-39 In various forms of giving: - the first fruits of the ground or crops [for the support of the priests and Levites] (Dt. 26:10-11) - the first-born of our sons, our cattle, of our flocks and herds (Ex.13:13, 15; 34:20) - the first of our dough (Num. 15:20-21), fruit, wine, oil… Are you feeling your worship of God costs you too much? Are you thanking God yet, that you are not required to live by these Old Testament standards? They would never out give God, and we won’t either. These served as a great reminder that we are to live for God, trust in God, obey Him and love Him with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. He would be everything they needed and He would provide the blessing and care for them. Remember, God is always faithful! He always wants to give us what is best for us…God sent his only Son…Jesus; God in the flesh. V. 39b “Thus we will not neglect the house of our God.”

God spoke through Haggai the prophet a stinging reprimand about being unconcerned about the condition of God’s house. (Hag. 1:3-15). Through the prophet Malachi (3:10), we are reminded that God is willing to be tested in giving.

3 evidences that will be seen in our lives if we are also sincere about pleasing the Lord: 1. Submission to the Word of God 2. Total devotion to God, no matter what the cost 3. Support for the house of God and the work of God Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Com. O.T. History, p.683-688