Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

O. T. #1071 "Signed, Sealed, and Delivered"
Oct. 2, 2017
Nehemiah 10

LET IT GLOW

How is our commitment thermometer? We should check it every so often, don't you think? The community of Jews signed, sealed, and delivered theirs, renewing a covenant.

Many Israelites signed and sealed written commitment to follow God and obey His Word totally. Listed in the first 28 verses are:

• the 2 civil leaders, Nehemiah and Zedekiah;
• 21 priestly leaders (Ezra belonged to the family of Seraiah);
• 17 Levite leaders;
• and 44 political leaders;
• the res of the people who did not sign the document agreed verbally to follow it.

The returnees wanted a sworn oath from every citizen in their community to obey God's Law and Commandments. Also, if hey disobeyed, then God's curse would fall upon them.
God's Word instructs us how to live. This is how a society has peace and prosperity, being built upon God and His Word. As believers, we should desire such a society.

Paul told us in Romans13:4, For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

If we need hope, endurance, and comfort, we can find it within the Word of God.

LET IT GROW

This binding agreement or covenant had 6 provisions. They agreed:

1. not to marry non-Jewish neighbors (verse 30),
2. to observe the Sabbath each day (verse 31), 
3. to observe every seventh year as a Sabbath year (verse 31),
4. to pay a Temple tax (verse 32-33),
5. to supply wood for the burnt offerings in the Temple (verse 34), and
6. to give dues to the Temple (verses 35-38).

How is our faith, obedience, holiness, and devotion to God and His Word?

LET IT GO

Advise the younger generation to on marry believers.
Observe Sunday as the Lord's Day and set it aside to worship Him.
Give my tithe to the church.
Aide in supplying the needs of the church.
Stay devoted to God's Word, studying and applying.