SCRIPTURE: NEHEMIAH 10
The people that made a binding agreement with the affixing seals were descendants of the leaders, Levites and priests. All the rest of the people – gatekeeper, singers, temple servants who separated themselves from the neighboring people joined their brothers, the nobles and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord. They promised not to give their daughters in marriage to the people around them or take the neighboring daughters for their sons. They will not buy merchandise from neighboring peoples on sabbath on holy day. Every 7th year, they will forgo working the land and cancel all debts. They will give 1/3 of a shekel each year for the service of the house of God, for the bread set out on the table and for the regular gain offering, burnt offering on Sabbath, New Moon Festival and appointed feasts; for the holy offerings; for sin offerings to make atonement for Israel’ and for all the duties of the house of God.
The priests and Levites cast lots to determine when to bring to the house of the Lord at set times each year to contribute wood to burn on the altar of God. They also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits of their crops and of every fruit tree. The people will bring the firstborn of their sons and their cattle, herds and flocks to the house of God for the priests to minister there. They will also bring their first ground meal of grain, offerings, fruits of all their trees, new wine and oil to the storerooms of the house of God. The tithe of their crops will be brought to the Levites, for it were the Levites who collected the tithes in all the towns. The people of Israel, including the Levites were to bring their contribution 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. They will never neglect the house of their God.
THOUGHTS:
The people committed themselves with their descendants in public to obedience with regard to marriage, Sabbath and the Sabbatical year, their support of temple and their gifts and sacrifices for the temple ministry. Let us also support His work and His house. We must not neglect the house of our God. Do you give God the first portion of your time, treasure and talent? Are you giving him the first and the best?