Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah …

Biblical Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Teaches The LawNehemiah Builds The Walls

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah An Equally Great Covenant Neh 10  The remnant confessed sin 9:5b-37  Painfully aware of their past, they were now ready to face their future  They would sign their “pledge” and resolve to serve God in all their duties and obligations

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah An Equally Great Covenant Neh 10  The list of signers vv cp. 9:38  Appropriately, Nehemiah’s name is first  As governor, he would lead by example  Ezra’s name?  Would he not also have signed it?  Many names are “family names”  His family is on the list v. 2 Ezra 7:1

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah An Equally Great Covenant Neh 10  Following the signing, the remnant put themselves under an oath vv  A “curse” if they didn’t live up to this oath  They were going to faithfully live by God’s commandments, ordinances, & statutes  They saw themselves as “separated from the peoples” v. 28 cp. Ex 19:4-6

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah An Equally Great Covenant Neh 10  The covenant’s “obligations” vv  As they renewed themselves, the remnant focused on 7 “obligations” before God  These “obligations” focused on different aspects of their moral and religious responsibilities  The first 3 were (-)…the last 4 were (+)

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah An Equally Great Covenant Neh 10  The covenant’s “obligations” vv Obligation # 1 The remnant would no longer intermarry with the pagan peoples surrounding them v. 30 cp. Deut 7 Ezra 9-10 ( - )

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah An Equally Great Covenant Neh 10  The covenant’s “obligations” vv Obligation # 2 The remnant would cease commerce with the surrounding pagans on a Sabbath or holy day v. 31a (“spirit” of the Law Ex 20:8-11 ) ( - )

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah An Equally Great Covenant Neh 10  The covenant’s “obligations” vv Obligation # 3 The remnant would observe the Sabbatical year…fields would rest & debts would be forgiven v. 31b Ex 23:10-11 Deut 15:1-2 ( - )

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah An Equally Great Covenant Neh 10  The covenant’s “obligations” vv Obligation # 4 The remnant would begin annual financial responsibility for temple services & sacrifices vv cp. Ex 30:11-16 ( + )

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah An Equally Great Covenant Neh 10  The covenant’s “obligations” vv Obligation # 5 The remnant would start sharing responsibility for supplying wood for the altar fire…this would be determined by family lot v. 34 ( + )

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah An Equally Great Covenant Neh 10  The covenant’s “obligations” vv Obligation # 6 The remnant would begin giving God His “first fruits” (crops & fruit trees, cattle, sons, etc.) vv a Ex 13: :19 34:19, 26 ( + )

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah An Equally Great Covenant Neh 10  The covenant’s “obligations” vv Obligation # 6 The Levites would also be faithful in both receiving & paying tithes vv. 37b-38 Num 18:21, 26 ( + )

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah An Equally Great Covenant Neh 10  The covenant’s “obligations” vv Obligation # 7 The remnant pledged in total to not neglect the house of God…all necessary provisions for the temple and its activities would be given, housed, & maintained v. 39 ( + )

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah An Equally Great Covenant Neh 10  The significance of this “pledge” must be appreciated  For years, the remnant enjoyed the under-writing of the Persians re: the temple Ezra 1:4 6:4, 8-9  Now, they were going to assume these responsibilities

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah An Equally Great Covenant Neh 10  The significance of this “pledge” must be appreciated  This would require quite an effort, given the remnant’s size & economic conditions  This “renewal” begun in Neh 8 evidenced their faith (beliefs now becoming actions) cp. 1 Chron 21:24 2 Cor 8:1-5

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah …