The Promise Nehemiah 10

Nehemiah 10:39 "For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God."

The first 27 verses of this chapter are those who signed/sealed the promises made. Nehemiah is at the top of the list. There are other well known names, Daniel for one. I do not know if it is the same Daniel we all know. Maybe we will learn that later. The Levite Jeshua is there, we have seen his name before.

The balance of the chapter tells of the various promises made. I find that they are those included in the law and that in the past the children of Israel said they would do. Nevertheless, it is not bad to renew vows so long as they are kept. Here are some highlights:

v32 "...to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God"

v34 "...cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering..."

v35 "...bring the firstfruits..."

v36 "Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle..."

v37 "And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough..."

v38 "...Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes..."

Then we go back to the verse at the first where they promise to never forsake the house of God.

We can see in our day and read about them in the New Testament how priests and ministers have worked up rules and regulations outside the Bible attempting to explain what is already written and sometimes changing the instructions. With all the writing, I think, sometimes the original meaning is totally changed. We should always go back to the source document.

Psalm 122:1 "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD."

The promise to do right by the house of the LORD.