Sunday School Lesson 13: A Covenant Renewal, Nehemiah 10:28 – 39, May 25, 2025.
Key Text: We will not forsake the house of our God. (Nehemiah 10:39).
Now the nation makes a New Covenant with God to keep the Mosaic Law on the basis of their repentance and prayer. The sealed signatures on the covenant were from the leaders, who had knowledge and understanding of what they were doing. Simply put, the nature of their covenant was to walk in God’s law and obey His commandments v 29. The agreement also included a commitment to remain separate for the heathen nations around them, and refuse to intermarry with the surrounding nations. They also agreed to observe the Sabbath day and do not buy from anyone or do business on the Sabbath. They also agreed to observe the seventh or sabbatical year. Nehemiah was the first person to sign the covenant and the rest of the people had extreme loyalty to their leaders, who also had signed the covenant.
The people recognized the need of financially supporting the continuing services of the Temple “with the third part of a shekel” v 32. The people were moved with a sense of responsibility to do so on their own. “And to bring the first fruits of our ground, and the first fruits of all fruit of all trees. Also the first-born of our sons (the bringing of redemption money) and “that we should bring the first fruits of our dough” v 35-37. All of this was kept at the storehouses near the temple and distributed from the support of the priest and Levites. Tithing was the minimum basis in both the Old and the New Testament for giving to God. However, the new Testament emphasis that we are to give above and beyond our tithe to God. In the Old Testament, the Levites would tithe of all of the peoples’ tithes and give that tithe for the support of the priests – a tenth of what they received. The people recognized the importance of their loyalty and support of Temple worship. They had determined that they would not let down in that commitment. The New Testament Christian has an equal obligation to be loyal and to support the church. AMEN!
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