Nehemiah 6 - 10
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Chapter 6 - 10 Review
Chapter 6 - 10 Review
Chapter 6
Resistance to Nehemiah’s efforts to build the wall continues. Attempts to kill Nehemiah fail, so his enemies practice dirty politics and then bring religion into the mix. Despite all of these efforts the wall is completed
Chapter 7
Nehemiah has just finished the wall and hung the gates. He orders the gates to be guarded and shut and not opened until the heat of the day. His mission is completed but as he looks around he realizes that the city is empty. Few have returned to the Holy City once the order was given to return to Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit prompts Nehemiah to take a census
Chapter 8
Ezra, the priest, reads from the book of the law which had been neglected since the people had gone into captivity. Many wept at hearing God’s word. The people observed the festival of ingathering or booths
Chapter 9
In this chapter the people assembled, confessed their sins, separated themselves, and covered themselves with dust and ashes (9:2). They worshipped God’s greatness (9:5-6), God’s goodness (9:7-30) and God’s Grace (9:31-37)
Chapter 10
Following the great prayer of 9:5-37 the people enter into an oath and promise to walk in the way of the Lord.
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Overview
Resistance to Nehemiah’s efforts to build the wall continues. Attempts to kill Nehemiah fail, so his enemies practice dirty politics and then bring religion into the mix.
Despite all of these efforts the wall is completed
Read and Summarize
1 Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), 2 that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm.
ONO A city 20 miles North of Jerusalem
The fourth (4th) attempt to stop Nehemiah’s work
— (2:19) Sanballat, Tobiah and Gesham mocked Nehemiah
— (4:1-3) Sanballat, Tobiah mocked Nehemiah
— (4:7-23) The enemy threaten a military attack
— (6:1-4) Sanballat and Gesham attempt to lure Nehemiah outside Jerusalem to Ono
When we face obstacles in our calling, why stop to listen to the voices trying to intimidate us?
Discernment Nehemiah had discernment
(6:2) Oh-no! Not so fast
3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” 4 But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner.
Enemies irked The enemies were irked
— They knew that the work would stop if Nehemiah left
— It must have irked them when he used this as an excuse
5 Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.
Open Letter Public Knowledge
— Meant to publically intimidate Nehemiah
— Turn public sentiment against him
False Charges
6 In it was written: It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their king. 7 And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, “There is a king in Judah!” Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together. 8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart.” 9 For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.” Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
— When opposition builds against us, we are tempted to say, God get us out of this trouble!
—(6:9) But Nehemiah prays: O God, strengthen my hands
— When we pray for strength, God always answers
Q: What did the enemies accuse Nehemiah of?
Rebellion (6:6) They would rebel against the King
— Build a fortified city and set himself up against the king
(6:6c) So come, therefore, and let us consult together
— words like soft oil
— But like Judas’ kiss they will kill
— They wanted him to go to Ono so that they could kill him
— Rumors and a lying tongue (James 3:6)
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
The fifth Attempt to stop the work
5th Attempt (6:5-9) Sanballat threatened Nehemiah with false charges
The secret informer
10 Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you.” 11 And I said, “Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!” 12 Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 For this reason he was hired, that I should be afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me. 14 My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid.
Secret informer Hired by Sanballat
Q: What did this secret informer want Nehemiah to do?
Hired a false prophet to make Nehemiah hide in the temple
— Make him look weak and fearful; as if he was guilty
— Dirty politics didn’t work, now bring religion into the mix
— if you are not a priest it is wrong to go into the temple (Num 8:22)
— Our motives have to align with our love for you
The 6th Attempt to stop the work
6th Attempt (6:10-14) Shemaiah, Noadiah, others were aid to prophesy falsely and discredit Nehemiah
The Wall is finished
15 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God. 17 Also in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came to them. 18 For many in Judah were pledged to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shechaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah. 19 Also they reported his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to frighten me.
Nobles/Rich refuse The nobles and the rich refuse to work
— Sending letters back and forth to Tobiah
— (6:18)Tobiah had married into a respected Jewish family
Many pledged Many were pledged to Tobiah
— He had many alias including Eliashib the high priest
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Overview
Nehemiah has just finished the wall and hung the gates. He orders the gates to be guarded and shut and not opened until the heat of the day. His mission is completed but as he looks around he realizes that the city is empty. Few have returned to the Holy City once the order was given to return to Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit prompts Nehemiah to take a census
Read and Summarize
Q: Why did God put all these names in the bible? A limited amount of space?
Names Parallels with Ezra 2:1-64
— These were common people but not forgotten by God
(8-38) Families
(39-42) Priests
(43) Levites
(44) Temple Singers
(45) Gate Keepers
(46-60) Temple Servants
(61-65) No genealogical record
(68-67) Animals
Their Response
— Get Involved
— Stay invested
Seven Attempts to stop Nehemiah’s Work
(1) (2:19) Sanballat, Tobiah and Gesham mocked Nehemiah
(2) (4:1-3) Sanballat and Tobiah mocked Nehemiah
(3) (4:7-23) The enemy threatened a military attack
(4) (6:1-4) Sanballat and Gesham attempted to lure Nehemiah to Ono
(5) (6:5-9) Sanballat threatened Nehemiah with false charge
(6) (6:10-14) Sanballat, Noadiah, and others paid a prophet to falsely prophesy and discredit Nehemiah
(7) (6:17-10) Tobiah had spies in Jerusalem and wrote Nehemiah letters in order to frighten him
Q: Hod did God expect the Nobles to respond to the needs of their brothers? Why do you think they did not follow God’s law?
Q: In your leadership role, do you lead by example or command?
Organized
The people are well organized, defended and governed
Chapters 1-6
Reconstruction of the Wall
Chapters 7-13
Reconstruction of the People
Encouragement
As the wall is getting built, it doesn’t get easier. Problems escalate the close they got to completion
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Overview
Ezra, the priest, reads from the book of the law which had been neglected since the people had gone into captivity. Many wept at hearing God’s word.
The people observed the festival of ingathering or booths
Read and Summarize
1 Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. 4 So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. 8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. 9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them. 13 Now on the second day the heads of the fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and Levites, were gathered to Ezra the scribe, in order to understand the words of the Law.
A strong wall but spiritually weak
(8:1) bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel
— Read, taught people for the first time
— Neglected for 7 years since Babylonian captivity
(8:9) For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law
Revival Revival starts when people confess their sins
— People understood the reason for captivity
— But God would not utterly destroy them
(8:10) Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength
(8:12) and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them
Q: Why did the people rejoice after hearing, understanding God’s Word?
14 And they found written in the Law, which the Lord had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month,
Booths (8:14) dwell in booths
The Feast of Tabernacles, also called the feast of ingathering (cf Ex 23:16, Lev 23:33-44)
— 3 yearly feasts
— Feast of unleavened bread
— Feast of harvest
— Feast of Tabernacles / booths / ingathering
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Overview
In this chapter the people assembled, confessed their sins, separated themselves, and covered themselves with dust and ashes (9:2).
They worshipped God’s greatness (9:5-6), God’s goodness (9:7-30) and God’s Grace (9:31-37)
Read and Summarize
Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads. Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for one-fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God.
Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the stairs of the Levites and cried out with a loud voice to the Lord their God. And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said:
“Stand up and bless the Lord your God
Forever and ever!
“Blessed be Your glorious name,
Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!
Fasting
(9:1) Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads
Separation
(9:2) Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their father
— 13 years earlier Jews separated from foreigners (Ezra 10:2-3)
And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, spoke up and said to Ezra, “We have trespassed against our God, and have taken pagan wives from the peoples of the land; yet now there is hope in Israel in spite of this. Now therefore, let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and those who have been born to them, according to the advice of my master and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.
Jews divorced Jews women to marry foreign wives
— Malachi was written in the twenty-year gap between Nehemiah 12-13
— His message is that God hates divorce (Mal 2:16)
16 “For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the Lord of hosts. Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.”
— (10:30) They recommitted themselves not to marry foreign women
Q: Is this the norm? Are we to follow this example?
Special Case Kept the line pure for the Messiah
— God allows divorce under circumstances
— Magnifies His grace
Q: What is the significance of sackcloth, dust and fasting ?
Deep mourning There was deep mourning
— Glory to God but shame on themselves
— They were told not to weep
(8:9) “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep
Largest Recorded Prayer in the bible (9-5-38)
5 And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said: “Stand up and bless the Lord your God Forever and ever! “Blessed be Your glorious name, Which is exalted above all blessing and praise! 6 You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You. 7 “You are the Lord God, Who chose Abram, And brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans, And gave him the name Abraham; 8 You found his heart faithful before You, And made a covenant with him To give the land of the Canaanites, The Hittites, the Amorites, The Perizzites, the Jebusites, And the Girgashites— To give it to his descendants. You have performed Your words, For You are righteous. 9 “You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, And heard their cry by the Red Sea. 10 You showed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, Against all his servants, And against all the people of his land. For You knew that they acted proudly against them. So You made a name for Yourself, as it is this day. 11 And You divided the sea before them, So that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; And their persecutors You threw into the deep, As a stone into the mighty waters. 12 Moreover You led them by day with a cloudy pillar, And by night with a pillar of fire, To give them light on the road Which they should travel. 13 “You came down also on Mount Sinai, And spoke with them from heaven, And gave them just ordinances and true laws, Good statutes and commandments. 14 You made known to them Your holy Sabbath, And commanded them precepts, statutes and laws, By the hand of Moses Your servant. 15 You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, And brought them water out of the rock for their thirst, And told them to go in to possess the land Which You had sworn to give them. 16 “But they and our fathers acted proudly, Hardened their necks, And did not heed Your commandments. 17 They refused to obey, And they were not mindful of Your wonders That You did among them. But they hardened their necks, And in their rebellion They appointed a leader To return to their bondage. But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them. 18 “Even when they made a molded calf for themselves, And said, ‘This is your god That brought you up out of Egypt,’ And worked great provocations, 19 Yet in Your manifold mercies You did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day, To lead them on the road; Nor the pillar of fire by night, To show them light, And the way they should go. 20 You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, And did not withhold Your manna from their mouth, And gave them water for their thirst. 21 Forty years You sustained them in the wilderness; They lacked nothing; Their clothes did not wear out And their feet did not swell. 22 “Moreover You gave them kingdoms and nations, And divided them into districts. So they took possession of the land of Sihon, The land of the king of Heshbon, And the land of Og king of Bashan. 23 You also multiplied their children as the stars of heaven, And brought them into the land Which You had told their fathers To go in and possess. 24 So the people went in And possessed the land; You subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, The Canaanites, And gave them into their hands, With their kings And the people of the land, That they might do with them as they wished. 25 And they took strong cities and a rich land, And possessed houses full of all goods, Cisterns already dug, vineyards, olive groves, And fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and grew fat, And delighted themselves in Your great goodness. 26 “Nevertheless they were disobedient And rebelled against You, Cast Your law behind their backs And killed Your prophets, who testified against them To turn them to Yourself; And they worked great provocations. 27 Therefore You delivered them into the hand of their enemies, Who oppressed them; And in the time of their trouble, When they cried to You, You heard from heaven; And according to Your abundant mercies You gave them deliverers who saved them From the hand of their enemies. 28 “But after they had rest, They again did evil before You. Therefore You left them in the hand of their enemies, So that they had dominion over them; Yet when they returned and cried out to You, You heard from heaven; And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies, 29 And testified against them, That You might bring them back to Your law. Yet they acted proudly, And did not heed Your commandments, But sinned against Your judgments, ‘Which if a man does, he shall live by them.’ And they shrugged their shoulders, Stiffened their necks, And would not hear. 30 Yet for many years You had patience with them, And testified against them by Your Spirit in Your prophets. Yet they would not listen; Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. 31 Nevertheless in Your great mercy You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them; For You are God, gracious and merciful. 32 “Now therefore, our God, The great, the mighty, and awesome God, Who keeps covenant and mercy: Do not let all the trouble seem small before You That has come upon us, Our kings and our princes, Our priests and our prophets, Our fathers and on all Your people, From the days of the kings of Assyria until this day. 33 However You are just in all that has befallen us; For You have dealt faithfully, But we have done wickedly. 34 Neither our kings nor our princes, Our priests nor our fathers, Have kept Your law, Nor heeded Your commandments and Your testimonies, With which You testified against them. 35 For they have not served You in their kingdom, Or in the many good things that You gave them, Or in the large and rich land which You set before them; Nor did they turn from their wicked works. 36 “Here we are, servants today! And the land that You gave to our fathers, To eat its fruit and its bounty, Here we are, servants in it! 37 And it yields much increase to the kings You have set over us, Because of our sins; Also they have dominion over our bodies and our cattle At their pleasure; And we are in great distress. 38 “And because of all this, We make a sure covenant and write it; Our leaders, our Levites, and our priests seal it.”
Forgiveness
(9:6) You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You
— Embraces the God of Forgiveness
Choose us
(9:7) You are the Lord God, Who chose Abram, And brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans, And gave him the name Abraham
— We did not choose you; you choose us (cf Gen 12:17)
Obeyed
(9:8) You found his heart faithful before You, And made a covenant with him
— Abraham obeyed God; was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac (Gen 22)
— His descendants were not faithful
Slaves
(9:9) “You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, And heard their cry by the Red Sea
— Slaves in Egypt
Plagues
(9:10) You showed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, Against all his servants, And against all the people of his land. For You knew that they acted proudly against them. So You made a name for Yourself, as it is this day
— The final plague killed the first born
— Killed the pursing army
— God sometimes leads us through difficult circumstances in order to demonstrate His sovereignty in our lives
Different
(9:13) “You came down also on Mount Sinai, And spoke with them from heaven, And gave them just ordinances and true laws, Good statutes and commandments
— The law made them different
—Established a society that made them different; they had only know slavery
Terrible contrast - God vs God’s people (9:16-17)
(9:16) But they and our fathers acted proudly, Hardened their necks, And did not heed Your commandments
— Just like Pharoah
(9:17a) They refused to obey, And they were not mindful of Your wonders That You did among them. But they hardened their necks, And in their rebellion They appointed a leader To return to their bondage
— Dissatisfied with Moses
— Ready to return to Egypt
Joyous! They had sinner but God is merciful
(9:17b) But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them
— They had sinned in every way; hardened their hearts; ready to return to Egypt
— God is ready to pardon; He as not forsaken them
Jesus was merciful (Luke 15:1-2; Mark 2:15)
1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”
15 Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him.
Q: What kind of Sinners?
The worst Tax collectors and sinners
— These people followed Him
— It must have infuriated the religious leaders
— Matthew 21:31 includes harlots in the list; Matthew 11:19 includes gluttons and drunks
— Already ashamed and shamed by their leaders; they were separated from everyone
— We could use this rationalization today
Not Shame Jesus did not shame; did not separate
— He had a reputation of being a friend of sinners, of harlots, drunks and tax collectors
Three Stories Jesus tells three (3) stories in Luke 15
— All in response to hanging out with outcasts and eating with them
— Shows a different perspective and the heart of God (lost sheep, lost coin, lost son)
Lost sheep
Lost Coin
— Turn the house upside down; Angels rejoice when one sinner is saved
Lost Son
— Not going back as a son but as a servant
— Asking for a job; Father’s heart towards His child
19-21 The 38 years of wandering
(9:18) Even when they made a molded calf for themselves
(9:20) You were with them and guided them and instructed them
— Now we have been given the Holy Spirit to guide us and instruct us (John 14:26)
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
Lacked nothing (9:21) Forty years You sustained them in the wilderness; They lacked nothing; Their clothes did not wear out And their feet did not swell
Opposite of 9:17 YOU ARE GOD
(9:26) Nevertheless they were disobedient And rebelled against You
— Sorrowful God poured out his blessings, protection, provision, power, faithfulness, love
—Nevertheless, people were disobedient
(9:36) Here we are, servants today!
— Instead of owning, ruling the land, we are servants of King Artaxerxes
(9:37) And it yields much increase to the kings You have set over us, Because of our sins; Also they have dominion over our bodies and our cattle At their pleasure; And we are in great distress.
— The king gets the fruit of the land, not Judah
(9:38) And because of all this, We make a sure covenant and write it; Our leaders, our Levites, and our priests seal it.”
Covenant — Not marry non-Jewish women (10:30)
— Observe the Sabbath (10:31)
— Observe every 7th year (10:31)
— Pay temple tax (10:31)
— Give dues to the temple (10:35-38)
Q: What preparations did the people make before spending time in worship? What parallels might they have in our life?
Q: Why did the priests work chronologically through the history of Israel in their worship
Chief lessons from Nehemiah 9
— Because we are so prone to sin and because God is so rich in mercy, ongoing repentance should mark our lives
— We should never compare ourselves to others; I’m not like other people, I don’t swindle, cheat on my taxes (Luke 18:11-12). Compare yourself to God’s Holiness and stay in the Word (Heb 4:12-13)
— Sometimes God brings us through tough times to show his sovereignty ; God is rich in Mercy
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Overview
Following the great prayer of 9:5-37 the people enter into an oath and promise to walk in the way of the Lord.
Read and Summarize
Lead by Example: took an oath
1 Now those who placed their seal on the document were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,
Signed First Lead by example. If the leaders signed, the people would follow
Documents Written plans. Serious though precedes serious actions.
— Written plans confirm right priorities
(10:1-27) 84 names of officials who signed the binding agreement
28 Now the rest of the people—the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, everyone who had knowledge and understanding—29 these joined with their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes:
Q: Who was the binding agreement for?
The whole people
— (9:5-37) Followed a confession of prayer
— The people had promised:
Not to marry non-Jewish women (10:30)
Commanded to keep the Sabbath holy - they obeyed
31 if the peoples of the land brought wares or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy it from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and we would forego the seventh year’s produce and the exacting of every debt.
Q: Why were they keeping the Sabbath holy?
Commanded in Ex 20:8-11
8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
Obey every 7th year (10:31)
31 if the peoples of the land brought wares or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy it from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and we would forego the seventh year’s produce and the exacting of every debt.
A year of rest Let the poor gather food (Ex 23:10-11)
10 “Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, 11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove.
— We know that letting the land rest also keeps it fertile
Pay temple tax (10:34)
Give dues Give dues to the temple
Q: The sabbath year seemed to endanger profits but what were the people to keep in mind?
Remember Leviticus 25:23
23 ‘The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with Me.
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