The covenant and its' promises

Nehemiah Chapter 10

The covenant was ratified and sealed and the name of those who signed are listed in verses 1 through 27. The rest of the people, priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, Temple servants and all who had separated themselves from the pagan people to serve god, heartily bound themselves with an oath. They vowed to accept the curse of God if they failed to obey all the command, laws and regulations of God.

They further promised not to let their daughters marry the pagan people, nor let their sons marry their daughters. The promised if the pagans brought merchandise or grain to be sold on the Sabbath or any other Holy day, they would not buy it. Nor would they do any work on every seventh year and would cancel debts owed to them by other Jews.

Further, they promised to obey the command to pay the Temple tax so there would be enough money to care for the Temple. This would provide the Bread of the Presence, regular grain and burnt offerings and other offerings and celebrations.

They cast lots to determine when the families of the priests, Levites and common people should bring wood to the Temple to be burned on the altar. And they promised to bring the first part of every harvest to the Temple and to give their oldest sons and firstborn of the herds and flocks as the law required. They promised 10 percent of everything as tithes to be delivered to the Levites at the Temple of God and they promised not to neglect the Temple of their God.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW:In order to witness for God in a pagan land, the people needed to be united, God-fearing and they needed to avoid any enticements to worship idols. God recognized that the lure of money would conflict with the need for a day of rest, so trade was forbidden on the Sabbath. The Israelites would be choosing God instead of making money.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Our relationship with God needs to go far beyond church attendance and regular devotions. It should affect our relationships, our time and our material resources. When you choose to follow God, you promise to serve him in this way. Do you need to be reminded of your promise to God? Then get down on your knees and pray to him and ask him to help you in adversity and also in prosperity. Praise be to the Lord!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother whose cancer has returned and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother in law Mary just had a stroke this week. They are being tested by God and need a wealth of prayers. Pray for them now! Pray that they can find a place for Mary that won’t bankrupt the family.
And pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
Pray for my cousin Diane who is undergoing total mastectomy surgery for breast cancer.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Update on Marthaline Sargent. She lost her battle with health problems and passed away last Tuesday. Our condolences to her son Patrick and daughter Stacey. Continue to pray for her husband Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who will soon undergo chemo for his prostate cancer.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
Pray for Debbie who lost her home in a fire last week.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.