Nehemiah 10:35-39 – The House of God
What the people were committing themselves to was the implementation of what the law of God had laid down for the covenant people of God. This is fundamental, not just for the people in the time of Nehemiah, but for the people of God in every age and in every place. We cannot please God unless we are prepared to do what He tells us to do in our personal, working, and church life.
There is a verse at the end of the chapter that goes right to the heart of the covenant that the people were making with the Lord: ‘We will not neglect the house of our God’ v. 39. This does not simply mean with respect to providing for the sacrifices and for the maintenance of the priests and the Levites; it meant that they were willing to submit themselves to all that the law required of them. For Christian people today to say that they will not neglect the house of their God means:
a. To be regular in attendance at the services of worship and to enter wholeheartedly and enthusiastically into every aspect of that worship.
b. To support the ministry of the Word by prayer and by giving not just of financial resources but also of time and talents.
c.To seek to live a holy life at home, work, and in the community
d. To diligently seek to understand more of what the Scriptures teach and in dependence upon the work of the Holy Spirit to put such knowledge into practice.
It should be that desire of every believer to so covenant with God that his life will be dedicated to do all that he can to bring honour and glory to God by living obedience to His Word and zealous desire to ‘not neglect the house of our God’.
Questions
- What did the people promise they would do at the end of this chapter?
- How can we avoid neglecting the house of God?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.