The Pledge

Nehemiah 10:1 CSB

Those whose seals were on the document were the governor Nehemiah son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,

INTRO—

Nehemiah 9.38 “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.”

A PLEDGE — “a binding promise or agreement to do or forebear (not do)” [Webster’s]; VOW — “a solemn promise or assertion”

‘The Pledge’ - D&K; ‘The Vow’ - Geoff Moore & the Distance

Signatories:

Nehemiah, Governor; Zedekiah—project leader; civil government (10.1a)

The Priests—spiritual shepherding leaders (10.1b-8; key - 8b)

The Levites—associate ministry leaders; facilitators of temple worship (10.9-13; key - 9a)

The Heads of the People—heads/leaders of families; those who stayed in Judah, helped rebuild the wall, or recent returnees from Babylon (10.14-27; key 14a; also Ezra 2.1-61 & Nehemiah 7.6-63)

For us…

Scripture

Our Church Covenant

Our Confession of Faith (Baptist Faith & Message) [Shema (Deut 6.4 ff) is example from OT days.]

The Commitment Voiced [Nehemiah 10.28-29]

“WE”—All the people…leaders through everyone who is able to understand

“COMMIT WITH A SWORN OATH”—Vow

“FOLLOW THE LAW OF GOD[…ALL THE COMMANDS, ORDINANCES, AND STATUTES OF THE LORD OUR LORD]”—Word of God

The Commitment Content [Nehemiah 10.30-39]

Holiness Expectations (10.30-31) — Separation

Worship Life Expectations (10.32-39) — Stewardship

Of God’s House

Of Worship Priority

Of Life Focus

CONCL—

James 1.27 “Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

Nehemiah helps us see this truth, we find in James’ letter, in this tenth chapter. We are reminded of the importance of…

Submission to the authority of God’s word by the believing community.

[to avoid a syncretism (the fusion of two or more originally different intellectual forms) with worldly philosophies, other religions, or trendy ideologies.]

Holiness of the believing community.

[a separation which evidences a biblical life and world view.]

Faithfulness in support of and participation in the worship life of the believing community.

[worship is a priority which must be evidenced in regular gathering with the church and biblical stewardship of time, talent, and treasure.]

Nehemiah 10:39 CSB

For the Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and fresh oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the priests who minister are, along with the gatekeepers and singers. We will not neglect the house of our God.