Neh 10:1-27 | KingComments | STEP | have the names of those who put their seals under the agreement. After having stopped doing evil, they now want to learn to do good ( ). Making an agreement or covenant, no matter how well intentioned, is a negation of man’s inability to fulfill his obligations. This is evident at Sinai ( ; ), and under Josiah ( ; ), where they have committed themselves to do everything God says. Making a covenant gives the impression that things will improve in the future. But in man there is no guarantee for that. On the contrary, every promise made by a person not to fall into a certain mistake shows a lack of self-knowledge. Yet in those days the law was the foundation of God’s dealings with man. That is why these Israelites should not be blamed for imposing this obligation on themselves. It indicates their sincere desire to comply with God’s will. It is only with the coming and rejection of Christ that the foundation of God’s dealings with man changes. The cross is the great turning point. At the cross, the utter hopelessness of expecting anything good from man has become fully apparent. Anyone who still places himself on the foundation of the law has not yet grasped the meaning of the cross. But until then man has been under self-imposed responsibility to obey God’s statutes. That is why it is the right path for those who join the covenant here. Nehemiah is the first to put his signature to the covenant. Then twenty-two priests sign. Remarkably, Ezra’s name is missing. Would he understand that a signature is not a guarantee? What’s good for one person, is not necessarily good for another to have any part. Ezra probably understands, through more insight into who God is and who man is, that God does not call him to sign. This kind of distinction between believers can be found in the church in Rome. There we find weak and strong believers. They must learn to interact and tolerate one another in matters relating to conscience (Romans 14-15).

‏ Nehemiah 10:1-27

Introduction

Neh 10:1-27 have the names of those who put their seals under the agreement. After having stopped doing evil, they now want to learn to do good (Isa 1:16-17).

Making an agreement or covenant, no matter how well intentioned, is a negation of man’s inability to fulfill his obligations. This is evident at Sinai (Exo 24:3 ; 7; Acts 7:53), and under Josiah (2Kgs 23:3; Jer 3:10), where they have committed themselves to do everything God says.

Making a covenant gives the impression that things will improve in the future. But in man there is no guarantee for that. On the contrary, every promise made by a person not to fall into a certain mistake shows a lack of self-knowledge. Yet in those days the law was the foundation of God’s dealings with man. That is why these Israelites should not be blamed for imposing this obligation on themselves. It indicates their sincere desire to comply with God’s will.

It is only with the coming and rejection of Christ that the foundation of God’s dealings with man changes. The cross is the great turning point. At the cross, the utter hopelessness of expecting anything good from man has become fully apparent. Anyone who still places himself on the foundation of the law has not yet grasped the meaning of the cross. But until then man has been under self-imposed responsibility to obey God’s statutes. That is why it is the right path for those who join the covenant here.

Names of Nehemiah and the Priests

Nehemiah is the first to put his signature to the covenant. Then twenty-two priests sign. Remarkably, Ezra’s name is missing. Would he understand that a signature is not a guarantee? What’s good for one person, is not necessarily good for another to have any part. Ezra probably understands, through more insight into who God is and who man is, that God does not call him to sign. This kind of distinction between believers can be found in the church in Rome. There we find weak and strong believers. They must learn to interact and tolerate one another in matters relating to conscience (Romans 14-15).

Names of the Levites

After the priests seventeen Levites sign the covenant. Among them many have been the mouths of the assembly in prayer (Neh 9:2 ; 5). This shows that they themselves are impressed by what they have said, and that they do not want to impose burdens on others that they themselves refuse to touch. Those who lead in prayer should also lead in any other good work.

Names of the Leaders of the People

After the Levites forty-four of the heads of the people have signed that they want to keep God’s commandments. As heads of the people they do the same for all those they represent and over whom they have influence by their position. Their names are mentioned here for their honor as men working diligently to revive and maintain the service of God in their land. The memory of such men will be a blessing.

It is noteworthy that most of those previously mentioned as heads of houses (Nehemiah 7) are mentioned here among the first of the heads of people who have signed the covenant. It is also remarkable that many who are heads at this time bear the same name as those who are heads at the exodus from Babylon (Ezra 2:3-35).