THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COVENANT

PROCLAMATION

“They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into 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 judgments and His statutes.”  Nehemiah 10:29 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The Bible Book of Nehemiah was written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Nehemiah, the cupbearer to Artaxerxes the king of Persia.  Chapter ten begins with a listing of the names of the people who sealed the new covenant. (Nehemiah 10:1-27)  The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, and the temple servants, along with all who separated themselves from the people of the land, took an oath not to give their daughters to the people of this land or to take their daughters for their sons. (Nehemiah 19:28-30)  They also agreed not to buy any goods or grain from the people of the land on the Sabbath or any holy day.  They pledged to bring money, bread, grain, and meat for burnt offerings and certain feasts.  They agreed to dedicate their first born sons to The Lord as it is written in the law.  They agreed to bring the first fruits of their crops, cattle, and herds to the house of The Lord as their tithes.  The children of Israel and the children of Levi agreed to bring offerings of new wine and oil to the temple to fill the vessels of the sanctuary. (Nehemiah 10:31-39)

 

APPLICATION

It is not good enough to just read The Word of God, or to listen to it being proclaimed, or to recite verses from it, we must also be committed to live by it.  “… Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)  Our actions will speak much louder than any words we will ever say.  When we accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, we agreed to follow Him and His teachings.  Our faith without works is dead. (James 2:26)  We must “walk the walk, and not just talk the talk.” (Unknown)  We need to walk in the way of righteousness. (Proverbs 2:20 and 8:20)  Our baptism will not save us; it is only an outward display of our inner commitment.  Our behavior and our lifestyle says more about us that our words.  Christ said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)