27 And if the people of the land bring in goods or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will forego the crops of the seventh year and the exaction of every debt.
2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
3 Now Zadok, a Jewish leader, also joined in affirming the covenant with Nehemiah the governor.
4a And over the Levites: Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel.
5 And their brethren, the Levites, joined them from all the districts of Israel, to purify themselves.
6 We will not buy or sell on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will cancel the debts of our fellow Israelites.
7 and that we obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord;
8 And the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who with his brothers was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving.
9 And the Levites: Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel.
10 We will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons.
11 And the Levites: Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel.
12 to bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we labor.
13 We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord;
14 The chiefs of the people: Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani
15 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we labor.
16 We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord;
17 also to bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we labor.
18 And we will bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we labor.
19 we will not neglect the house of our God.”
20 We also take on ourselves the obligation to give yearly a third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God:
21 But we obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord;
22 We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord;
23 Moreover, we obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord;
24 We will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons.
25 We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord;
26 “And we shall bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we labor.
27 And if the people of the land bring in goods or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will forego the crops of the seventh year and the exaction of every debt.
28 The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding,
29 join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord and his rules and his statutes.
30 We will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons.
31 And if the peoples of the land bring in goods or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will forego the crops of the seventh year and the exaction of every debt.
32 We also take on ourselves the obligation to give yearly a third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God:
33 for the showbread, the regular grain offering, the regular burnt offering, the Sabbaths, the new moons, the appointed feasts, the holy things, and the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.
34 We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord;
35 We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord;
36 also to bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns.
37 and to bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we labor.
38 And the priest, the son of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive the tithes. And the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers of the storehouse.
39 For the people of Israel and the sons of Levi shall bring the contribution of grain, wine, and oil to the storerooms where the vessels of the sanctuary are, as well as the priests who minister, and the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not neglect the house of our God.”
The True Meaning of Nehemiah 10
The book of Nehemiah was written by the prophet Nehemiah, who served as a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes. Nehemiah was a dedicated servant of God, tasked with rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and restoring the spiritual life of the people. The people of Israel in this chapter make a solemn covenant with God, pledging to obey His laws and commandments. This comes after a time of repentance and renewal, as the people have recognized their past failures and are now determined to walk in God’s ways. The chapter outlines the specific commitments the people make, from observing the Sabbath to supporting the temple and its priests.
The events in Nehemiah 10 are a continuation of the spiritual revival described in the previous chapters, where the people gathered to hear the reading of the Law and confessed their sins. This chapter demonstrates the people’s desire to not only acknowledge their wrongdoing but to actively change their ways and honor God in all aspects of their lives.
Nehemiah 10:1-27
Nehemiah 10:1-27 is a passage that details a solemn covenant the people of Israel made with God in the presence of the priest, Levites, and leaders of the community. The breakdown of this verse into important sections would include the following key elements:
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The leaders of the people signed the covenant first, as mentioned in verse 1. This underlines the significance of leadership in setting the example for the entire community. When leaders demonstrate their commitment to God and His laws, it can inspire and influence others to do the same. This act of signing signifies their willingness to uphold and adhere to the terms of the covenant they were entering into.
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Promise to Observe God’s Law (Nehemiah 10:28-29):
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Verses 28 and 29 specifically mention their promise to do three things: not give their daughters in marriage to the neighboring peoples, not take their daughters in marriage for their sons, and not engage in any trade on the Sabbath or any holy day. These were crucial aspects of the covenant as intermarriage with idolatrous nations and desecration of the Sabbath were significant issues that led the Israelites astray from God in the past. The people were demonstrating their commitment to avoiding the sins of their forefathers and remaining obedient to God’s commandments by making this promise.
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The people in verse 39 also vowed to bring the firstfruits of the ground and the firstborn of all their livestock to the house of God, to the priests serving in the house of God, and to bring the tithes of their crops to the Levites. This commitment to the upkeep of the temple and the support of the Levites and priests is crucial for the continuation of the spiritual life of the community. They were acknowledging God’s provision in their lives and showing gratitude through their offerings by dedicating their firstfruits and tithes. The covenant outlined in Nehemiah 10 reflects a commitment to obedience, holiness, and the worship of God. It serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a close relationship with God, following His commandments, and supporting the spiritual leadership of the community. The people of Israel recognized the need to remain separated from the practices of the surrounding nations and to honor God through their actions and offerings. This covenant not only bound them together as a community but also reinforced their identity as God’s chosen people.
This covenant mirrors the essence of the covenant that God made with the Israelites throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing obedience, loyalty, and worship. It echoes similar promises made in Deuteronomy 7:3-4 regarding intermarriage and Deuteronomy 14:22-29 concerning tithing and firstfruits. The people of Israel were recommitting themselves to the principles and commandments set forth by God by entering into this covenant, seeking His favor and blessing upon their lives and the community as a whole.
Nehemiah 10:28-31
The Israelites in Nehemiah 10:28-31 are making a solemn pledge to faithfully obey God’s commandments. Let’s break it down:
Verse 28 states, “The rest of the people—priests, Levites, gatekeepers, musicians, 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—” This verse emphasizes the inclusivity of the commitment being made. It wasn’t just the leaders, but all members of the community, from various backgrounds and occupations, who were involved in renewing their dedication to God’s laws. This unity in obedience teaches the timeless message of the importance of communal worship and devotion to God. Unity among believers in honoring God’s commandments is a powerful testimony to the world, reflecting God’s character of unity and love for His people.
Verse 29 continues, “all these now join their fellow Israelites 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.” Here we see the seriousness of the commitment the people were making. They bound themselves with a curse and an oath, signifying the gravity of their promise to follow God’s law. This act demonstrates the importance of holding oneself accountable to God and recognizing the consequences of disobedience. This recommitment to follow God’s law reflects the central theme of obedience throughout the Bible. God emphasizes the importance of adhering to His commands by setting before His people the choice between blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience in Deuteronomy 11:26-28.
Verse 30 reveals, “We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons.” This specific vow addresses the issue of intermarriage with the surrounding pagan nations. Throughout the Old Testament, God warned His people against marrying foreigners who followed other gods, as it often led to idolatry and turning away from God (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). The Israelites were safeguarding their spiritual purity and loyalty to God by making this commitment. This emphasizes the timeless message of the importance of being unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14) and the need to prioritize spiritual compatibility in relationships.
Lastly, verse 31 concludes, “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.” This verse touches on honoring the Sabbath and the Sabbath year, as well as the release of debts during the seventh year, as outlined in the Mosaic Law (Exodus 23:10-11; Leviticus 25:1-7). The commitment to observing these laws not only demonstrated the Israelites’ obedience to God’s commands but also reflected their trust in God’s provision and timing. It served as a reminder that their lives were to be lived in obedience to God’s rhythms and principles, rather than solely pursuing material gain. This reflects the timeless message of prioritizing spiritual values over worldly pursuits and trusting in God’s provision and timing. The Israelites’ collective dedication to following God’s laws, their commitment to purity and obedience, and their willingness to prioritize spiritual values are showcased in Nehemiah 10:28-31. This passage conveys the enduring message of the importance of unity in worship, accountability to God, faithfulness in relationships, and trust in God’s provision and timing.
Nehemiah 10:32-39
The Israelites in Nehemiah 10:32-39 are committing themselves to uphold their responsibilities outlined in the Law of Moses. Let’s break down this important passage:
Verse 32 starts with a commitment not to neglect the house of God, indicating a pledge to support the temple financially. This is significant because the temple was the focal point of Israelite worship and central to their spiritual well-being. The Israelites were not only honoring God but also maintaining their identity as His chosen people by ensuring the upkeep of the temple. This resonates with the broader theme in the Bible of honoring God with one’s possessions, as seen in Proverbs 3:9-10. The Israelites commit to bringing the firstfruits of their crops and the firstborn of their children and livestock to the house of the Lord in verse 33. This act symbolizes acknowledging God as the provider of all things and giving back to Him a portion of what He has blessed them with. It reflects the principle of tithing, which is also emphasized in Malachi 3:10, where God promises to bless those who bring their tithes into the storehouse.
Verse 34 addresses the Levites, the tribe set apart for serving in the temple and teaching the Law to the people. The Israelites promise to bring a tithe of their produce to the Levites so that they, in turn, can fulfill their duties. This reciprocal relationship highlights the interdependence within the community of faith and the importance of supporting those called to full-time ministry. This concept is echoed in 1 Corinthians 9:13-14, where Paul talks about the provision for those who preach the gospel.
Moving on to verse 35, we see the Israelites committing to bringing the firstfruits of their ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord. This dedication to offering the best of what they had reflects a heart of gratitude and reverence before God. It also underscores the principle of prioritizing God in all aspects of life, as taught in Matthew 6:33.
Verses 36-39 continue to outline various offerings, including the firstborn of their sons and animals, and the tithes of the land to the Levites, the priests, and the service of the house of our God. This meticulous attention to detail in their commitments reveals a desire to be obedient to God’s commands and a recognition of the importance of order and structure in worship. It also shows a commitment to providing for those who serve in the temple and ensuring that the needs of the community are met. The Israelites’ firm resolve to honor God with their resources and uphold the obligations set forth in the Law is illustrated in Nehemiah 10:32-39. It emphasizes the principles of stewardship, gratitude, support for ministry, and obedience to God’s commands. Through their commitments, the Israelites demonstrate their faithfulness and dedication to following God’s ways, setting an example for believers today to prioritize God in all areas of their lives and to support the work of the ministry.
After Nehemiah 10
The people of Jerusalem understood the gravity of their commitment as they made their solemn pledge to follow God’s laws. They vowed to uphold the Sabbath, support the temple, and care for the less fortunate. This renewed dedication would be the foundation for the next chapter of their journey.
For in the days to come, Nehemiah would face new challenges as he sought to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore the city to its former glory. The people’s willingness to sacrifice and obey God’s commands would be tested, and their faith would be the guiding light that would see them through the trials ahead.
Reverend Michael Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. With a serene presence and a compassionate heart, he has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years, leading them on a spiritual journey towards inner peace and enlightenment. Reverend Johnson’s extensive knowledge of religious philosophies and profound understanding of human nature have made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many, as he seamlessly weaves his profound wisdom into life teachings. Reverend Johnson’s calming demeanor and empathetic nature continue to uplift and heal souls, nurturing a sense of unity and tranquility within his community.