Week 11, Nehemiah 10 - Hook Current Event: On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress unanimously approved a resolution of independence for the 13 American colonies. The purpose: To break free from Great Britain s oppressive rule. Two days later, on July 4, 56 men signed the official document, The Declaration of Independence. Prominent among the signers was John Hancock, the President of the Continental Congress, and two future presidents, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. The Declaration of Independence served as an official proclamation and the signatories were publically declaring their commitment to the values and convictions contained therein as well as the sacrifices that would hasten. The philosophy and general idea of the document famously stated these words: We hold these truths to be self- evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Discussion Questions: What were the dangers in publicly signing this declaration? What were the rewards? What are the dangers of committing to follow God? What are the rewards? Personal Story: Ask you class to discuss times where they publicly stood up and committed themselves to Christ. Encourage them to note the dangers and rewards that followed.
Nehemiah 10 - Book Text Summary Many of the people agree to the covenant, and they accept the responsibility of funding the temple s activities. 1 Nehemiah 10:1 27 (Summarize) The long list of those who put their names on the covenant was designed to show that the entire community priests, Levites, and lay leaders was wholeheartedly behind it. These are prominent people in the community; many of their names have appeared before in Nehemiah (esp. in vv. 20 27; see also ch. 3). 2 Nehemiah 10:28 29 (Read) Sub Point: Commit to follow the Word. The community commits together. Throughout the book of Nehemiah, something continues to be seen: unity. The people of Jerusalem continue to act and move forward as one. They built the wall together, worshipped together, and later prayed and confessed together. And now unity is seen in the signing of the covenant. This community commits to follow God s ways above their own. Having previously confessed and repented of seeking their own kingdoms and their own glory, now the people of Jerusalem cast aside their preferences and their personal convictions and submit themselves to God s Law and His way for their lives. They act on their confessions, showing signs of their renewed faith and trust in their God. They sign a covenant. The people of Jerusalem are done with the way things used to be. No longer do they desire to fuel their pride. Instead, the people, with eyes opened to God s grace and mercy, turn to Him. By taking this oath, verse 29 says the people commit to walk in God s Law, to observe and do all that He commanded, abide by all of His rules and statutes. The people knew that this was their first step and that submission to the true King was a must. Why was the signing of a covenant necessary for the people of Jerusalem? Can you think of a modern example of a covenant? What did that covenant represent? What about the signed covenant is similar to the wall? If the wall was a reminder of God s faithfulness and mercy, why would a covenant be of added value? 1 Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 840. 2 Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 840.
What does it take to see a desire for growth in faith to translate into a commitment to growth in faith? Nehemiah 10:30 39 (Read) Sub Point: Commit all of your life to God s purposes. Not their ways, but their God s. Commitment is more than a choice and it s more than a simple act or decision. A commitment made today isn t made for only today. Commitments involve sacrifice sacrifice of time, effort, energy, money, work, pleasure and so much more. Here, the people aren t simply choosing God. They are choosing a lifestyle; a lifestyle centered and focused on their Creator, rather than themselves. The commitment they re making involves great personal and communal sacrifice. That s what commitments are. In this very act, Nehemiah and the leaders of Jerusalem lead the people and show them that commitment is not just necessary, it is the only option. To love God and desire Him, commitment must be present. And this means sacrifice and relinquishing power for the people of Jerusalem. Loving God and following Him means following His Law and His commands. This covenant in chapter 10 is greatly based on the laws of the Pentateuch. In this are various tasks and responsibilities the people must participate in and carry out. These involve giving up the fruits of their labor, giving financially, and giving of their possessions. As the community of faith, they know they are responsible for serving and giving in these ways. The people are making a promise to support God s mission and His work. Not only that, this commitment was an outward display of their grateful hearts concerning how God had dealt them and shown them great favor and unending mercy. Do you think signing this covenant was difficult for some of the people? Why or why not? Have you ever committed to a covenant as a group (e.g., as spouses, accountability partners, a Bible Fellowship)? What were the benefits? What were the challenges? What does it say about Nehemiah that he is leading the people in this action? What does this say about his desire for the people and his affection for the Lord? Another Perspective: The Bible Knowledge Commentary Other responsibilities to which the leaders and people pledged themselves were (d) contributing wood for the fire on the altar of burnt offering, which was to burn continually (Lev. 6:12-13), (e) giving the first fruits of their crops (Ex. 23:19; Deut. 26:1-3) and their firstborn...
sons and animals (Num. 18:15-17; Deut. 12:6) to the Lord, and (f) paying annual tithes (Lev. 27:30; Num. 18:21-24). The Levites were to tithe the tithes they received (Neh. 10:38-39); cf. Num. 18:26) to help provide for the priests needs. 3 Discussion: Have your class discuss the topics of firstfruits, tithing, and giving back to God. Ask your class members to define what firstfruits are in today s time. Most of your class members are probably not farmers, but likely they do have other resources they can give back to the Lord. Realize that the topic of giving may be a sensitive issue for many people. Note that some of your class members may respond with answers such as: 10 percent of a person s monthly income, a financial donation, and offering to God a portion of one s wealth. Another Perspective: Holman Bible Commentary Before the Israelites settled in Canaan, God gave commands to guide the people. Through Moses they were told, Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God (Exod. 23:19). In compliance with this command, the people and leaders assumed responsibility for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the firstfruits of our crops and every tree. These offerings were symbols of God s ownership of everything the Hebrews cultivated and cared for. 4 Discussion: Have your class discuss the topic of God s ownership of everything. Ask your class members the following three questions: How should we live as Christians in light of the fact that God owns everything we have? How should we spend our money since God is the owner of it all? Do we see tithing as giving our money to God or giving back to God what He already owns? Encourage your class to see God as the owner of everything they possess, including their houses, cars, bank accounts, and even their families. Inspire your class to see earthly things as blessings that He has entrusted to us. 3 John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, Neh. 10:28-29 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985). 4 Anders, Max; Larson, Dahlen, vol. 9, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Holman Old Testament Commentary; Holman Reference (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 245.
Nehemiah 10 Took In Today s World: On August 26, 2013, President Barak Obama honored Army Staff Sergeant Ty Carter with the Congressional Medal of Honor. President Obama stated: Specialist Ty M. Carter distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.... Carter s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. 5 The President praised Carter for his enduring commitment to the army ethic that no comrade be left in harm s way and in the midst of conflict he would never give up or accept defeat. 6 Class Exercise: Have your class discuss what living a committed life for Christ has cost them. Share the reality that some relationships and questionable opportunities will be lost for purity. Challenge: Challenge your class members to live a life of unwavering commitment to Christ and the Gospel. As leaders, the Gospel informs everything we do and should influence the way we live life each and every day. A godly leader is someone who is committed and one who leads others to be committed. We learn from chapter 10 that not only must we be people that confess and repent, we must also be people that follow through and truly commit to our repentance and confessions. May we be people who commit well and, in doing so, sacrifice well. Through our commitments and care for others, may we become more and more grateful for the commitment and sacrifice made on our behalf by our God. 5 Office of the Press Secretary, Remarks by the President in Presentation of the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Ty M. Carter, whitehouse.gov