The Agreement of The People
June 29, 2021
Commentary
On the basis of their repentance and prayer mentioned in 9:38, the people made an agreement with God. The agreement was signed and sealed, and the first twenty-seven verses of this chapter list eighty-four people who put their seal on this covenant. Many other citizens subscribed to this covenant (v. 28) individually, including wives and children, who didn’t have the legal right to sign it. Nehemiah was the first person to sign this document. No doubt he is conscious of the fact that he is a leader of the community and wants to be a good example by being the first person to sign. There are three groups of people mentioned in the signing of this agreement (vv. 1-27): the priests (vv 1-8), the Levites (vv 9-13), and the people (vv 14-27).
The two qualifications for signing this document (v. 28) is that they were separated from evil and had knowledge and understanding of what they were doing. Two special areas of concern were marriage and the Sabbath. (1) This agreement included a commitment to remain separate from the heathen nations around them by refusing to intermarry with them. The danger in mixed marriages was the loss of faith on the part of the Jewish mates (Ex. 34:10-17).
(2) They also agreed to observe the Sabbath day by not buying from anyone or doing business on that day. The observance of the Sabbath was a Jewish practice (Ex. 20:8-11). It was not to be a day of bondage, but a day devoted to rest and meditation on things spiritual. The prophets rebuked the Jews for violating the Sabbath because it was a symptom of a deeper spiritual problem.
Application
Our culture is not the same as it was in Nehemiah’s day but a saved person is still not to marry an unsaved person and it is good to spend Sunday going to Church and worshiping the Lord. I want to be a person who is in agreement with the Lord and set a good example for others.
Nehemiah 10:1– 31 (NET)
1 On the sealed documents were the following names: Nehemiah the governor, son of Hacaliah, along with Zedekiah,
2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
3 Pashhur, Amariah, Malkijah,
4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,
6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,
7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
8 Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah. These were the priests.
9 The Levites were as follows: Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel.
10 Their colleagues were as follows: Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
11 Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah,
12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
13 Hodiah, Bani, and Beninu.
14 The leaders of the people were as follows: Parosh, Pahath Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani,
15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,
16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
17 Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur,
18 Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,
19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,
20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
21 Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,
22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub,
24 Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,
25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
26 Ahiah, Hanan, Anan,
27 Malluch, Harim, and Baanah.
28 “Now the rest of the people—the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple attendants, and all those who have separated themselves from the neighboring peoples because of the law of God, along with their wives, their sons, and their daughters, all of whom are able to understand— 29 hereby participate with their colleagues the town leaders and enter into a curse and an oath to adhere to the law of God which was given through Moses the servant of God, and to obey carefully all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, along with his ordinances and his statutes.
30 “We will not give our daughters in marriage to the neighboring peoples, and we will not take their daughters in marriage for our sons. 31 We will not buy on the Sabbath or on a holy day from the neighboring peoples who bring their wares and all kinds of grain to sell on the Sabbath day. We will let the fields lie fallow every seventh year, and we will cancel every loan.
Illustration: The Need of Spiritual Unity
People today have more ways to connect than ever, but are disconnected more than ever. We have cell phones, texting, internet, My Space, Facebook, Instant Messaging, but we are disconnected from the people in the room with us. Families need spiritual unity. Marriages need to be one in the Lord. Husbands and wives need to be in spiritual agreement. (Source Unknown).