June 21, 2023

Nehemiah 9:38, 10:28-29 (HCSB)
Israel’s Vow of Faithfulness
38  In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement  in writing on a sealed document containing the names of our leaders, Levites, and priests.

28 The rest of the people—the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, and temple servants, along with their wives, sons, and daughters, everyone who is able to understand  and who has separated themselves from the surrounding peoples  to obey the law of God— 29 join with their noble brothers and commit themselves with a sworn oath   to follow the law of God given through God’s servant Moses  and to carefully obey all the commands, ordinances, and statutes of Yahweh our Lord.

Patrick Raley
Most people at some point in their lives sign a contract. Whether it’s a bank loan while buying a house, a contractor during a renovation, or signing your child up for a sports team or music lesson. Two parties come together to agree on terms and conditions. How many of us have ever made an agreement with God on how we should live our lives? In our reading today, we see how important the Israelites took their relationship with God. They made a covenant with God to follow His Word. Their leaders signed it, and the rest of the people publicly entered into the agreement. They not only agreed to follow God’s Law, but they also agreed to accept a curse if they broke His Law. How do you think our world would change if more men and women publicly declared to follow God, and followed through with their promise?