Title: Oath to God (Nehemiah 10:28-38)
Those who sealed the covenant are at least those who have a firm determination to live according to the Word of God. Thus, they are those who have sworn to God that they will live according to God's will, and what brought them to such a heart to live according to God's will is none other than the words of God spoken by the scholar Ezra.
It can be seen that all the reform movements and revival movements that have occurred in history were to return to the Word. The movement to reinterpret God's Word in reality, to know the reality that is far from God's Word, and to live according to the Word was the revival movement and the revival movement.
The reason why revival movements that are often repeated throughout history have to occur is because we do not live according to the Word. The word of our God said that even if heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one jot does not change. But people change. Times change, circumstances change, and the environment changes.
But there are some things that must not change. It is the Word of God. Because the word of God is truth.
The people of the world say that the truth changes with the times. Definitions are also changing. But, dear believers, we must not change. We believe that our beliefs should never change.
Without the Word, there is no revival. Devotion, loyalty, and zeal that do not come from understanding the Word of God are only temporary feelings and cannot be perfected. Our faith must also have feelings. But it's not just emotions. I believe that the word of God should take precedence.
The oath of the Israelites in today's text is not another oath. It is based on the words already given to Moses 1,000 years ago. They made an oath with a curse, but what they swore with a curse is that they deserve a curse if they don't follow God's word. This is because he deeply felt the fact that the punishment of the Babylonian captivity was because he did not live according to the words of God's law. Therefore, their oath can be said to be a solemn and true covenant to keep the word of God firmly. Just as they pledged to live according to God's word in front of God, I pray that it will be a time for all believers who are listening to this word today to once again pledge our faith before God.
Then what is the content of their vows?
1. I will not marry a stranger. (30 see Deut. 7:3,4)
2. I will not engage in commercial activities on the Sabbath or holy days. (Exodus 20:8-11, Ex. 31:14, Leviticus 23:3,32)
The Sabbath day should be viewed as a covenantal dimension rather than the concept of no work when Moses gave the Ten Commandments. God created all things in the universe in six years. When He created man, He gave people a rest before doing anything. The Sabbath is to be seen as God ascended to the throne as the Lord and King of all things in the universe.
That is why he made people praise God for what he has done.
Therefore, the Sabbath should be a day for our bodies to rest but our souls for the glory of God. The prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 58:13-14 about keeping the Sabbath, do not engage in physical entertainment, love the world, do not be greedy, and do not speak privately.
The purpose of God’s keeping the Sabbath was to remind us of God’s work of creation (Genesis 2:2, Exodus 20:8-11, the sign of the eternal covenant (Exodus 31:13,16,17, Ezekiel 20:1).
2.20) Remembrance of God's salvation (Deuteronomy 5:12-15) Keeping the Sabbath is a pattern for a person to enter eternal rest by participating in the Sabbath provided by God. (Hebrews 4:8) We must be saints who are holy and keep well.
3. Committed to keeping the sabbatical year (cf. 31b 23 Ex 23:8-11 Lev 26:34,35)
To put a sabbatical year, the earth was also cursed as humans sinned. Because the earth is being deprived of the right to rest because of humans, He made it possible to have a sabbatical year every 7 years. It is also important for restoring intelligence.
In Leviticus 26:34,35 it is said that Israel was taken into captivity so that the land might rest because of the restlessness of the land.
pay off debt Jubilee (Liberation of the Servant)
4. Supporting the Temple (32-34) 1) Redemption (Ex. 30:11-16) Half a shekel over the age of 20 is to be used for the service of the temple in order to avoid the plague.
It foreshadows redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ, so it is only natural for us to serve God's temple with material things.
2) Offerings and holy things (things necessary to serve God)
5. Covenant to give firstfruits, firstborn, and tithe
Firstborn Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Firstborn is the thanksgiving of the harvest to God. Giving the firstfruits is an act of confessing that all of them belong to God, and it is an act of acknowledging that they are tenants of the land God has given them. It is important that we acknowledge God as God in every way (Exodus 26:17).
first cub. The firstborn son (Numbers 18:15-16) When he killed the firstborn in Egypt, the firstborn of Israel was because he saved people and animals. I should have died, but God saved me. Therefore, he made a ransom payment. This life belongs to God, and it is the reward of grace for God's life. We are supposed to die, but Jesus Christ died to save us. Therefore, we should always be thankful for the grace of Juni.
Tithing (Lev 27:30,32, Mal 3:8-10) By paying tithing, we are a clear reminder of God's ownership and our stewardship. And that tithe is for those who serve God.
We've never heard of tithing ruined. On the contrary, there are many predictions that people received greater blessings by giving their hearts and souls.
The leaders of the people of Israel, the leaders of the people of Israel, and those who had wisdom and made seals and swore curses in order to live according to God's word. It is a solemn commitment to live according to the Word of God.
Dear brothers and sisters, we also pray for such a holy decision and Dami-eul. We must acknowledge that God is at the center of our lives. We need to think about God's intervention. God is the owner of all of us. As his people, we will live our lives for the glory of God and for his kingdom. When we do this, we believe that we will receive the wonderful blessings promised by God.