Nehemiah 9:38
“Now because of all this We are making an agreement in writing; And on the sealed document are the names of our leaders, our Levites, and our priests.”
Chapter 9 was used to account God delivering His people from Egypt and bringing them into the Promised Land. The writer gave an endless account of the people rebelling against God, they would be taken captive by the people of the land, they would cry out to God for deliverance and He would faithfully deliver. Once delivered, they would forget God and rebel against His Words.
To stop this cycle, God gave them over to Babylon. Most of the people were brought there for 70 years. Then King Cyrus sent them back to their homeland. The wall was complete, the temple was finished first. Now as a nation they are acknowledging their faithlessness and are vowing in writing to do better.
It’s like they are the Prodigal Son who is giving His speech about how he wants to be in the father’s house, but only as a servant or hired hand. Ezra the prophet is there, Nehemiah, the civic leader and the builder of the wall is there to keep them honest for their lifetime.
They are serious. Jesus speaks of this person in Luke 9:62, ‘But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”’ They aren’t looking back. Chapter 10 of Nehemiah gives the details, they will keep the Law, they won’t give their children in marriage to the people of the land, they will keep the sabbath and won’t allow the foreigner to sell their wares on the sabbath, they will contribute financially to the operation of the temple, they will cast lots as to who will bring in the wood used in the sacrifices, they will bring the firstborn of their sons and their cattle for service at the temple and they will bring the first fruits of their dough and fruits for the priests. They will not neglect the House of God.
This is great. The Prodigal has returned home. There is joy in the house. The Father is glad by all this. Lord, may we be serious in our commitment to You.