|
written by Ken Mitten
The people responded, "In view of
all this, we are making a solemn promise and putting it in writing.
On this sealed document are the names of our leaders and levites
and priests."
NEHEMIAH 9:38 NLT
The document was ratified and
sealed with the following names......Then the rest of the
people--the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, Temple
servants, and all who had separated themselves from the pagan
people of the land in order to obey the Law of God, together with
their wives, sons, daughters, and all who were old enough to
understand---- joined their leaders and bound themselves with an
oath.They swore a curse on themselves if they failed to obey the
Law of God as issued by his servant Moses. They solemnly
promised to carefully follow all the commands, regulations, and
decrees of the Lord our Lord.
NEHEMIAH 10:1; 28-29
NLT
Previous to the document being
ratified, Nehemiah has led the reconstruction of the city wall
of Jerusalem from the rubble it had become, Ezra has preached
in the oral tradition of the time, reminding the Israelites of
their history of disobeying God despite how He has provided. They
are moved greatly by this and then in a group of thousands bow down
as Levite priests pray in unison, " May your glorious name be
praised! May it be exalted above all blessing and praise!" (NEH 9:5
NLT). The Israelites who have both returned to and been
brought back to Jerusalem, pledge an oath to obey the Lord. This
solemn promise includes making significant sacrifices including:
paying a Temple Tax, providing wood for burnt offerings, not
farming every seventh year, observing the Sabbath and offering the
very best of whatever crop they harvested as offerings to the
priests.
Tremendous sacrifices for these
people in their time. What sacrifices are you making for the
Lord? As we discussed this in our Sunday group the discussion led
to the making of oaths or covenants with God
today.
Have we entered into a covenant
with Him? Was it immediate? Did it happen over the course of our
walk or better said, did we make a covenant early and grow into
those promises later/eventually? Are we still growing into
those promises?
Tithing is most certainly coming
to mind.
In upcoming encouragements we will
look at the covenants we make or don't make with
God today.
K
|
Ministries 
