“We will not neglect the house of our God.”
Nehemiah 10
Nehemiah 9:38, 10:28, 29
1. Commitment to The Word (vs. 29)
2. Commitment to Purity (vs. 28, 30)
Separation from the world to the Word
2 Corinthians 7:1 - Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
3. Commitment to Rest (vs. 31)
Hebrews 4:10 - for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.
Lev. 25:18-22
4. Commitment to Support the House of God (vs.32-39)
"God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply." - Hudson Taylor
The Temple Tax (vs. 32-33) – a tax collected to be used to support the ministry of the house of God. It served as a reminder to the people that God had redeemed them and paid a price to set them free, and that they should act like people who belonged to God.
How much more should we as New Testament Christians behave in the same way? 1 Corinthians 6 says “You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. ”.
The Wood Offering (vs. 34) – This was the wood necessary to keep the fire on the brazen alter burning continuously.
The wood offering, to me, is a beautiful picture of our service in the church. The altars were used to offer up burnt offerings to the Lord. Wood was needed to fuel those fires. Without something as humble and plain as a log, the ministry of the House of God could not be done.
We must all see that no matter how insignificant our gift or “offering” may seem to God; it is important.
The Firstfruits (vs. 35-37a) – The Jews were taught to give God the first and the best.
Proverbs 3:9, 10 - Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
The Tithes (vs. 37b-39) – The word “tithe” literally means a tenth. The Jews were to bring a tenth of their earnings every year to the Lord for the support of the Levites.
1 Cor 16:2 - On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
Mal 3:10
“Where there is true spiritual revival, it will reveal itself in the way we support God’s work, beginning in our own local church.” – Warren Wiersbe
1 Corinthians 12:27 - Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
Ephesians 3:10 - His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known
