Nehemiah 10
The binding agreement to follow the Lord is sealed by the leaders of the people beginning with Nehemiah 1 and including the priests 1b-8, the Levites 9-13, the leaders 14-27, and the rest of the people 28 ff. They pledge themselves to obey the Law of the Lord 29,avoiding intermarriages 30, observing the Sabbath 31, and paying all the prescribed tithes and offerings which the Lord required of them 32-39. They also promise to give all that is required and necessary for the worship of the Lord to take place. Their desires are summed up in the last phrase 'we will not neglect the house of our God' 39b. Note: Repentance is seen in the actions one takes towards the Lord in worship and in work. All of life is to be lived before the Lord and in relation to Him. This they promise and pledge to do.

Nehemiah 11
One tenth of the people were chosen by lot to live in Jerusalem (which is called 'the holy city' 1,18). This was both a privilege and also a sacrifice for the 'capital city' with the temple would be the target of enemies. Maybe that is why those who volunteered were commended 2. Leaders are listed along with the total  number of men from Judah and Benjamin, also the priests, Levites, and gatekeepers 4-19. Note: I have a total of 3044 men, using the numbers listed. The rest of the Israelites settle in their ancestral property 20, 25-36. Singers were under the king's orders 23. Pethahiah represented the king  to the people 24. Note: Even though the Jews are back in their land, there is a sense that not the full plan of God for the nation, since the majority of the Jews remained in the country which was once Babylon but was now under the Medes and the Persians. (not to mention also that the 10 other tribes never returned from the Assyrian captivity).Sin can devastate a person, a nation, and a people, which, apart from the redeeming grace of God, can not fully recover. Yet, even in the midst of this, God was at work rebuilding His people. In God's perfect time the Messiah would come, be rejected, crucified, buried, raised the third day, and ascend into heaven, awaiting the time set by the Father to return and bring in His kingdom and rule. Even, so come Lord Jesus ! (Revelation 22:20).

Nehemiah 12
The leaders of the priests and Levites are listed by their families 1-26. Some were assigned the job of giving God praise and thanksgiving 24. Note: Can you imagine your main role being to praise God ? Through Christ we are all called to offer our lives in praise to God (Ephesians 1:12, Hebrews 12:28-29, 13:15-16, 1 Peter 2:5). No longer is this the exclusive role of select Levites and priests. The dedication of the wall in Jerusalem was accompanied by much singing and music 27-42. They also offered sacrifices 43. The people obeyed the Law of the Lord in providing offerings and tithes to the Levites and the temple service 44-47. Note: The ministry of the church is to be funded by the giving of God's people. The account before us would illustrate this principle. Also, our worship today can include choirs. This should not be overlooked by the modern church, nor thought of as unnecessary to worship. Voices blended and raised in praise the Lord can add to a time of worship. Note: As one who is not gifted with a singing voice, I am amazed (and give God the glory) for those who have the ability to sing to the Lord. Listening can also be an act of worship !

Nehemiah 13
As God's Word (the book of the Law) was being read the people come to know and understand that certain persons (foreigners) were to be excluded from the temple worship because of previous sins against God's people (Israel) 1-3. Eliashab had allowed Tobiah, a foreigner and enemy of the Jews to live in one of the storerooms of the  temple 4-6. Upon hearing of this Nehemiah (who had been away from Jerusalem 6), throws Tobiah's stuff out of the Temple and orders it to be purified and restored to its God's ordained use 7-9. Note: It is amazing how much we can allow the world into the church and into our personal lives. What may be in your life that is forbidden by the Lord ? Are you willing to have Him do some house cleaning in your life ? The Levites had also been neglected so they returned to farming (does this mean they could not serve at the temple 10 ?) Nehemiah rebukes the people. They take up the tithes and restore the provisions for the Levites and the temple service 11-12. Note: Why is it that in the absence of one godly leader the people are quick to abandon the ways of the Lord ? Others are enlisted to be in charge of the storehouse 13. Nehemiah prays to be remembered by the Lord, that his actions would have lasting impact 14. The Sabbath was also being violated to such an extent that men could not wait to sell their merchandise and even camped by the gates to be the first to 'make a buck' 15-20. Nehemiah rebukes the people and reminds them that such actions and attitudes towards the Lord and His day can only lead to His judgment for their violations 17-18, 21. He commands them to keep the Sabbath holy 22. Does this not sound like the Lord Himself ? Note: I know there are various opinions regarding the fourth commandment (Exodus 20:8-11), but I wonder if Christians (myself included) have so focused on the grace of God that we violate this commandment and suffer God's displeasure as a result. One example: how did we go from Sunday being known as 'The Lord's Day' to 'Family time' ? (a day is still 24 hours long, not 1 hour on Sunday AM - just a thought to consider ). Nehemiah again asks to be remembered by God with His mercy 22b. Intermarriage with foreigners was also a problem among the God's people 23-27. So serious was this matter that Nehemiah rebuked and cursed those who were doing this 25a. Note: God takes serious the marriage relationship. HE declares that believers should not enter into binding relationships (marriage included) with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). Nehemiah reminds them that even Solomon was drawn away from the Lord because the foreign women he married 26. The people were acting wickedly, in like manner 27. Did they think the Lord would overlook their sins ? The problem they had with Sanballat (4:1-2,7-8; 6:1-7,12-13) was complicated by the fact that one of the grandsons of the high priest was married to Sanballat's daughter 28. How does that happen ? (because we selfishly act in disregard of God and His Law). Nehemiah rightly drives him away (the priest with the foreign wife) 28b. He prays that the Lord would remember them for defiling the priestly office and breaking the covenant 29. Note: Was this a prayer for the Lord to remember their deeds and judge them accordingly ?  Thus, Nehemiah purified the priests and Levites and provided wood (for the sacrifices ?) 31. Note: God uses individuals to bring and promote the spiritual reform that is needed among God's people. Can He use you or me in this way ? Are we willing ? The book concludes with Nehemiah praying for the Lord to remember him with His favor 31b (a petition for God to be gracious). How we all need the grace of God ! Amen.