Understanding the context in which a passage from the Bible is written is important because it helps prevent wrong interpretations, which would result in bad theology and confusion. The context provides the complete meaning of Scripture as it is studied. The English word “context” was developed in the early 1400’s meaning a composition, a chronicle, the entire text of a writing. It comes from the Latin contextus which means “a joining together” The word was originally used “to weave together” in such a way that taking one thread from the others would destroy the fabric.
How does Nehemiah 8:2-8 fit into the tapestry of God’s entire message to humanity?
The government dictates our behavior by passing laws that support equality amidst diversity. But a law of the government cannot change the heart. Taking God out of society has emasculated the power from the law.
Are there practical things we can do to make sure we can keep our word? Does it help to know that all of God’s promises are “Yes” in Christ? Here are some important lessons to be found in the continuing story of Nehemiah.
The last verse of chapter nine prompts us to summarize the last lesson and to look forward to the events and activities of this lesson.
“Because of all this . . .”
Consider for a moment the scene painted in the earlier verses of chapter nine. The phrase “all the people gathered as one man” into the square is identical to Ezra 3:1, which also refers to an assembly on the first day of the seventh month. The object of the meeting in Ezra was to restore the altar of burnt offerings and sacrificial worship. This was key to the entire structure of Jewish worship, from daily activities to annual festivals.
The men and women who were gathered were people “who could understand what they heard” when the Torah was read. Ezra read the Law while standing on a raised platform that had been constructed for the event. Pomp and circumstance were a part of the ceremony. It is quite possible that the books read were not only the Torah, but also the Prophets and the other Writings. This would be practically the entire Old Testament which we know today. The reading lasted from early morning until midday.
The people bowed their heads as the Scripture was read and placed their faces on the ground. We are even told that the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Because of this, the people responded.
We have separated ourselves from the people of the land
Verse 28 is telling. The rest of the people signed the contract as well. This was not just the decisions of the religious leaders or the government. The rest of the people – along with their wives, sons, daughters and all who have knowledge and understanding – joined in the contract.
The people of faith were called to be different than the people of the world. Peter tells us that “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10 ESV).
The people agreed they would be different than the world. They would keep themselves separate. They would not marry with those outside their faith. They would not dabble with the religious philosophies of others. In the world, but not of it. The idea is consistent with biblical teaching, even if it isn’t a direct quote.
The people … enter an oath
The declaration is made by the entire company of people, filling in the blanks that are implied in Nehemiah 9:38. Everyone, from the oldest down to the youngest who could understand, was standing before God and sharing in this oath. They reinforced the oath with a curse, in essence calling down disaster if they should go back on their word.
They agreed …
To Walk
We often speak of the life of faith as “walking with God.” Henry Ford once said, “Those who walk with God always reach their destination.” Leonard Ravenhill claimed, “Smart men walked on the moon, daring men walked on the ocean floor, but wise men walk with God.”
The people of faith signed a covenant to live their lives with God. This certainly affirmed the teachings of both the Old Testament (Micah 6:8, Deuteronomy 8:6, 2 Chronicles 7:17-18, Genesis 5:21-24, Genesis 6:8-9) and the New Testament (John 8:12, Romans 13:13, Ephesians 2:10, 1 John 2:6, 1 John 1:6-7, Galatians 5:16).
William Ritter once said, I recently found 382 biblical references to various forms of the word “walk.” There are a multitude of references that suggest how we are supposed to walk as Christians: walk in love; walk in wisdom; walk in the light; walk in the path; walk in the Spirit; walk in the law of the Lord; walk in the way of the Lord; walk in the fear of the Lord; walk in the peace of the Lord; walk honestly, forthrightly, courageously, worthily and humbly.
To Observe …
They were agreeing to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord. Don’t you love how Nehemiah writes the phrase “the commandments of the Lord our Lord?” We see things all the time, but there are times when we pay attention and times that we don’t.
“I am sorry officer. I didn’t see the speed limit sign.” We may have “seen” it – we just didn’t pay attention to what the limit was, or we understood what it was and we just didn’t heed the command.
And Do
So the people pledged to observe – to always know what the Lord wanted accomplished. Then they pledged to obey, to actually do what the Law had said. Verse 35 uses the word translated “obligate.” We take on ourselves the obligation (Nehemiah 10:32). We obligate ourselves (Nehemiah 10:35). The word implies being compelled by a legal or moral duty, but it is actually a term used in biology. It describes something that is restricted to a particular function because of its purpose and design. The lungs are made to breathe air, not water. We are obligated to be faithful and obedient to God by design.
It is interesting that a part of the obligation they accepted was to take care of the Lord’s work in the Temple, for the service of the house and for the care of the people who officiated.
I raise my Ebenezer. I will obey. I promise.
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