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September 2, 2018 - “Renewing Our Covenant with God” Nehemiah 9:38-10:39

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Introduction

We place ourselves in serious terms when we understand how the Hebrew people in biblical times observed a sacred covenant among themselves. The two parties who enter into a covenant would sacrifice an animal. They will cut the animal into halves and lay it on the ground. Each party will walk through the bloodied animal. What does this mean? It means that anyone who would violate the covenant would suffer the same fate as that of the sacrificial animal. After the two parties made the binding agreement they would burn the animal as an offering. And the covenant would be sealed in the name of the LORD their God.

The Hebrew word for covenant, diatheke, primarily signifies “to cut” or “to divide” in connection to a sacrificial custom done between two parties who make a mutual agreement to fulfill a binding obligation.

When the LORD God confirmed his covenant to Abraham with regard to Isaac his son of promise from whom the nation of Israel would come and the Land of Promise in Canaan as the inheritance of his people (Gen. 15:1-8), the binding agreement was done in this manner.

“So the LORD said to him, ‘Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.’ Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half…When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. On that day the LORD made the covenant with Abraham…” (Gen. 15:9, 10, 17, 18a).

And what did God require of Abraham? The LORD appeared to Abraham and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless” (Gen. 17:1b). Abraham believed in God and took him at his word “because he considered him faithful who made the promise” (Heb. 11:11b).

God fulfilled his promise to Abraham. His son Isaac was born. Through his son Jacob came the twelve tribes of Israel who were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. God chose Moses and delivered his own people from the hands of Pharaoh. Israel crossed the Red Sea between walls of water. Then God also entered a covenant with his own people. The LORD gave the Ten Commandments written on two tablets of stones. The Decalogue was the covenant between God and Israel. And it must be the governing rule over the life of the Hebrew people. Moses gave a firm farewell address to his own countrymen.

“Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your forefathers, promised you. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.” (Deut. 6:3-6)

And he made an earnest appeal to them.

“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set you before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” (Deut. 30:19-20)

God remained true to the covenant. Israel was not. The succeeding generations of the Hebrew people became unfaithful to God and disobeyed his commandments. The LORD sent his prophets to warn them of the coming judgment and appealed to them to make things right with God. Israel defied God and spurned his word. The Jews broke the covenant and paid a great price. The glory of the LORD departed from his people and he cast them away from the Promised Land and became captives to their enemies. The poorest of the poor were left in Judah. The Land of Promise, at last, enjoyed its Sabbath rests. While the Jewish exiles in foreign lands were restless and groaned in devastating grief.

The Hebrew people could have entertained the thought that the LORD abandoned them in their miserable estate. No it was not. God kept his promise to Abraham and remained true to his covenant with Israel. During the time of King Xerxes, God raised Esther to be queen of the empire of Persia and God used her to preserve her people from annihilation as plotted by Haman the enemy of the Jews.

At the end of the 70th year of the Jewish exiles in Babylon, God fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah and moved the heart of King Cyrus of Persia who decreed for the Hebrew people to return to Jerusalem and build the Temple for the LORD. Zerubbabel started the building of the temple. The project was stalled because of the opposition of the enemies of the Jews in Palestine. After decades of delay, God sent Ezra to Jerusalem and he finished the temple of the LORD.

Then Nehemiah, a contemporary of Ezra, was commissioned by God to build the wall of Jerusalem during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia. Bible historians believed that Nehemiah became the cupbearer of the king through the royal influence of Esther in the kingdom of Persia.

The wall of Jerusalem was done in 52 days. The enemies of the Jews recognized that this was the work of God and the dread of the Hebrew people fell over them. Nehemiah called a great assembly of his people in Jerusalem. Ezra read the Law of God to the Hebrew people. They understood the Word of God and were filled with the great joy of the LORD. In obedience to the Law of Moses they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles in the month of Tishri (August – September). At the end of the festival, the Jews gathered a sacred assembly and they confessed their sins to God. It was on this occasion that the Hebrew people renewed their covenant in obedience to the Law of Moses (9:38-10:29). And the Jewish community bound themselves under oath in the name of the LORD their God (10:30-39).

As a Christian community, we are under a new covenant rooted in the Jewish covenant which found its fulfillment in Jesus Christ through his sacrificial death on the cross as the Savior of the world. Yet, the moral obligations of the Mosaic Law are binding to all believing Jews and Gentiles. For we are all recipients of the same promise of blessing that the LORD God had given to Abraham for Israel and to all the nations. And our covenant with God, Jews and Gentiles alike, covers the entirety of our lives. Just as Jesus offered his life on the cross on our behalf, we likewise offer our lives to the LORD our God. Our sacred covenant with God is a transaction of life—life for life.

A. The Covenant of Israel (9:38-10:29)

The Jews assembled in Jerusalem and understood the Law of Moses. In response, the Israelites humbled themselves before God, confessed their sin as a people and renewed their covenant with the LORD.

1. The Binding Covenant

In humility and contrition, the Jews made a binding covenant with God.

“In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.” (9:38)

Having understood well the Law of Moses read by Ezra, the Israelites gathered as one people and altogether made a written agreement in renewing their covenant with God. The whole Jewish community, represented by their political and religious leaders, placed themselves under a binding agreement in the name of the LORD.

2. The Sealed Covenant

And the renewed covenant was sealed.

“Those who sealed it were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah. Zedekiah…Baanah.” (10:1-27)

Those who affixed their names to seal the covenant were recorded in Nehemiah 10:1-27. It was led by Nehemiah the governor of Judah (v. 1). This was followed by 22 priests (vv. 2-8). Included were 17 Levites and their associates (vv. 9-13). And it was also signed by 44 leaders (vv. 14-27). The covenant was sealed by the religious and political leaders as representatives of the Jewish community.

3. The Sacred Covenant

The Hebrew people upheld the sealed covenant under oath.

“The rest of the people—priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand—all these now join their brothers the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord.” (10:28-29)

Under solemn oath done in the name of the LORD, the Jews pledged to honor the covenant. And the whole community placed themselves under a curse should they break the commandments of God. Moses had written the curses in Deuteronomy 27:14-26. The Levites would read the Law of the LORD. And the Jewish people would say, “Amen.” Moses pleaded to his people to yield to God with a promise of blessing.

“All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading through will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.” (Deut. 28:2-6)

The moral demands of the Mosaic Law apply to believing Jews and Christians. The Ten Commandments written in tablets of stones and inscribed in human conscience are the essence of the morals laws for Israel and the Gentile nations. The LORD God of the Jews is the same God of the Christians. Therefore, the covenant of God to the Hebrew people is also the binding agreement for all believing Gentiles. As in the time of Nehemiah when the Jewish community renewed their covenant under oath in the name of the LORD, likewise, we, Christians are called to uphold our covenant with God. If we obey we will be blessed and enjoy the fullness of life. But if we disobey, we will be cursed and be destroyed. The basic rule of God applies to all: We reap what we sow.

B. The Covenant Under Oath (10:30-39)

The Jews bound themselves under oath to uphold the sealed covenant. And they have to carefully observe the terms of the covenant.

1. No Unholy Marriages

First, the Jews pledged not to intermarry with unbelieving Gentiles.

“We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons.” (10:30)

The LORD God gave this command to Israel.

“The the LORD said: ‘I am making a covenant with you…Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you and you will eat their sacrifices. And when you choose some of their daughters as wives for your sons and those daughters prostitute themselves to their gods, they will lead your sons to do the same.” (Ex. 34:10a, 15-16)

And Moses warned his own people.

“Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your sons away from following me to serve other gods, and the LORD’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you.” (Deut. 7:3-4)

Unholy marriage forbidden in the Scriptures was directly connected with idolatrous worship. This was true in the Old Testament and New Testament. Apostle Paul gave this instruction to Christians.

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.” (2 Cor. 6:14-16b)

One time I asked my son Larkin. Who are the strongest man and the wisest man recorded in the Bible? They were Samson and Solomon. What was common to both of them? They married unbelieving women that caused their disastrous downfall. The warning is meant for us all.

2. Observe the Sabbath Day

Second, the Jews pledged to observe the Sabbath day.

“When the neighboring peoples bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day.” (10:31a)

Sabbath as taught in the Scriptures is the practice of observing one day in seven set apart for rest and worship that originated in creation. God created the universe in six days and rested on the seventh (Genesis 1). By this design, God ordained a pattern for living—that man should work six days each week at subduing and ruling the creation and should rest one day a week. This was the biblical understanding in creation set forth by God when he gave Moses the Ten Commandments as written in Exodus 20:3-11. The Sabbath day must be observed in holiness. The Sabbath day should not be used by outsiders as an opportunity for profiteering and business as the Israelites gathered in Jerusalem. Before the wall of Jerusalem was restored, the neighboring peoples used to gather in the vicinity of the temple with their merchandize and sell their goods. This caused much noise and disturbance as the Jews gathered primarily for rest and worship. In reverent observance of the Sabbath, the Jews decided not to engage in any business transaction or to buy any merchandise brought in Jerusalem by neighboring peoples. This would discourage outsiders not to come in Jerusalem for business in Sabbath.

3. Observe the Sabbath Year

Third, the Jews pledged to observe the Sabbath year.

“Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts.” (10:31b)

The sabbatical year was known as the year of rest and redemption. Every seventh year of the Hebrew nation, God commanded Israel to observe three things. First of all, the land must be given rest. On the seventh year, the Israelites must cease to cultivate the land (Lev. 25:4-5). This would replenish the fertility of the land. The crops and the harvest that were reaped during this year were considered the common possession of all men and beasts (Ex. 23:10-11). Secondly, the Israelites must cancel all debts amongst their fellowmen (Deut. 15:1-11). This would break the cycle of poverty among the Jewish community especially the poor who had been oppressed of usury. And thirdly, the Israelites must free their own people from slavery (Deut. 15:12-18).This would give freedom for every Jew to live in dignity. And this was a reminder that the Jews had also been former slaves and that God had redeemed them from slavery. The Hebrew people committed themselves to observe the Sabbath year.

4. Do Not Neglect the House of God

Finally, the Jews pledged not to neglect the house of God. This included the provision for the needs of the Levites and the necessities for the administration of temple worship.

a. The Shekel for the Temple

The Israelites pledged to give a third of a shekel as an annual obligation for the service of the temple.

“We assume the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God: for the bread set out on the table; for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings; for the offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moon festivals and appointed feasts; for the holy offerings; for sin offerings to make atonement for Israel; and for all the duties of the house of our God.” (10:32-33)

In biblical times, a shekel was a Jewish gold coin. The Sumerian word shekel derived from “She” which meant wheat, and “Kel” was a measurement similar to a bushel. Hence the coin of a shekel was a symbol of a value of one bushel (35.2 liters) of wheat. A third of a bushel was equivalent to 11.7 liters of wheat. Each Jew who had the ability to earn for a living committed to give this annual covenant obligation for the daily administration of temple worship.

b. The Firewood

The Hebrew community also pledged for the provision of woods for the burning of animal sacrifices at the altar of God in the temple courts.

“We—the priests, the Levites and the people—have cast lots to determine when each of our families is to bring to the house of our God at set times each year a contribution of wood to burn on the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the Law.” (10:34)

The Levites were responsible for the burnt offerings offered by the Jews to worship the LORD their God.

c. The Firstfruits

The Israelites likewise pledged to offer to the LORD the firstfruits of their crops and fruit trees.

“We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.” (10:35)

This was a recognition that the produce in the Promised Land belonged to God who is the ultimate source of every blessing in life.

d. The Firstborn

Furthermore, the Jews pledged to offer their firstborn sons and animals.

“As it is also written in the Law, we will bring the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks to the house of our God, to the priests ministering there.” (10:36)

The firstborn is the first offspring of human beings and animals. Every firstborn man and animal belonged to God. This was in connection of the Exodus when the LORD spared the firstborn of the Jews—man and animal—in delivering the Hebrew people from their slavery in Egypt (Ex. 13:11-13). The firstborn son who belonged to the LORD must be redeemed by the father at a price set by the priest that could not exceed five shekels (Num. 18:16). While the firstborn animals were to be turned over to the priests as sacrifices to God (Ex. 13:2; 34:19; Lev. 27:26). The offering of the firstborn was an acknowledgement that every human and animal belong to God who is the very source of life.

e. The Tithes of the Crops and Fruit Trees

The Jews also pledged to offer the tithes of all the produce of the land.

“Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work.’ (10:37)

In the Law of Moses, the tithe of the land would include the seed of the land and the fruit of the tree (Lev. 27:30-32). The Hebrew people were to give the tenth of all their crops and fruit trees to the LORD as the covenant share of the Levites for they were not given an ancestral property in the Promised Land for God set them apart as servants in the temple (Num. 18:21-24).

f. The Tithes of the Levites

The Levites likewise pledged to give a tithe of the goods they received from the offerings of their people.

“A priest descended from Aaron is to accompany the Levites when they receive the tithes, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of the tithes up to the house of our God, to the storerooms of the treasury.” (10:38)

The presence of a priest was to ensure transparency and accountability when the Levites collected the tithes from their countrymen. And on the part of Levites, God commanded them to carefully observe their covenant obligation in giving their tithes from all the offerings of the Hebrew people (Num. 18:25-32). Moses instructed the Levites, “You must present as the LORD’s portion the best and the holiest part of everything given to you” (Num. 18:29). Why was this so significant in the eyes of the LORD? Moses declared, “By presenting the best part of it you will not be guilty in this matter; then you will not defile the holy offerings of the Israelites, and you will not die” (Num. 18:32). The Levites must set the godly example in offering what belongs to God.

g. The Oath of the Israelites

Finally, the Hebrew people bind themselves under oath to observe their covenant before the LORD their God.

“The people of Israel, including the Levites, are to bring their contributions of grain, new wine and oil to the storerooms where the articles for the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers and the singers stay. ‘We will not neglect the house of our God.’” (10:39)

In the past, out of greed and ingratitude their ancestors defied the LORD and violated their covenant with God. They desecrated the holy temple by not giving what is due to God. The temple was destroyed. They were banished from the land. Now that the remnant Hebrew people were back in their homeland, would they commit the same sin of their forefathers? The Jews made a solemn oath, “We will not neglect the house of God.”

The covenant of Israel applies to us. We must safeguard ourselves from unholy marriages, observe the holy Sabbath for rest and worship, treat our countrymen with dignity and must not neglect the house of God. Today, we stand before God. Are we careful to observe our covenant?

Conclusion

Israel was back to her homeland. And the Israelites renewed their covenant with the LORD their God. Nehemiah and the leaders of the land sealed the covenant. They pledged to safeguard themselves from unholy marriages and preserve their pure devotion to God. They pledged to observe the Sabbath day for worship and rest. They pledged to observe the Sabbath year to give rest for the land, cancel debts and free their Hebrew slaves. They pledged not to neglect the house of the LORD their God. And they bound themselves under oath to keep their covenant. What does this mean to us as a covenant people of God?

As spiritual descendants of Abraham, we affirm the foundation of our covenant with the Hebrew people. No unholy marriages with unbelievers. May our sovereign and gracious Lord preserve our children for the man or woman after God’s own heart. Keep the Sabbath day holy for rest and worship. Be faithful in our work throughout the week as we set our hearts in tune with God to rest on Sunday and worship him in gratitude and holiness. In keeping the spirit of the sabbatical year, we care for God’s creation, keep ourselves from oppressing the poor and treat our fellowmen with dignity. And let us not neglect the house of the LORD our God. In giving our tithes and offerings we acknowledge that everything belongs to God and we yield to him the entirety of our lives.

As disciples of Christ, we nurture our new covenant as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper. We examine ourselves if Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord. We search our hearts if we are right with God. We confess any sin in our lives. In remembrance of Jesus’ death on our behalf and his blood poured for the forgiveness of our sin, we yield our all to him. And as recipients of grace, we proclaim the gospel of Christ until he comes.

And as Filipino Christians, we treasure the patriotic oath for our beloved homeland.

Panatang Makabayan

Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas, aking lupang sinilangan, Tahanan ng aking lahi, kinukupkop ako at tinutulungang Maging malakas, masipag at marangal Dahil mahal ko ang Pilipinas, Diringgin ko ang payo ng aking magulang, Susundin ko ang tuntunin ng paaralan, Tutuparin ko ang mga tungkulin ng isang mamamayang makabayan, Naglilingkod, nag-aaral at nagdarasal nang buong katapatan. Iaalay ko ang aking buhay, pangarap, pagsisikap Sa bansang Pilipinas.

Patriotic Oath

I love the Philippines, the land of my birth, The home of my people; it protects me and helps me Become strong, hardworking and honorable. Because I love the Philippines, I will heed the counsel of my parents, I will obey the rules of my school, I will perform the duties of a patriotic citizen, Serving, studying, and praying faithfully. I shall offer my life, dream, endeavor To the Philippine nation.

We make our personal pledge with an uplifted right hand. This solemn patriotic oath is not only for children to be recited inside the school. It is to be cherished by every Filipino citizen in the daily school of life. Oh, what great difference will it make in our homeland if only every child nurtures this oath for a lifetime! And lest we forget, we, as Christians, should exemplify the ideals of what it means to be a true Filipino.

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