In this chapter the Israelites renew their covenant with God.
“…the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding, join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord and his rules and his statutes.” (v28-29)
Like a divorced person who recommits and remarries their previous spouse, the Jews reconcile and renew their covenant with God. They return to the former days of putting aside any pagan practices, and fully commit to honoring God, His festivals, and His commandments. The leaders (including Nehemiah) even sign an official document on behalf of the people, stating their intentions to obey God’s every word.
Moral covenant agreements were taken extremely seriously in ancient times – far more seriously than we take them today. Today, the closest thing we have to this type of commitment is a marriage (we even sign an official document with witnesses). The moral portion of marriage is promising to unconditionally honor and serve the person to whom we commit, just as we are to honor and obey God when we commit to following Him.
Making / keeping these types of moral commitments is at an all-time low. Over the last 40 years, fewer people are officially committing to marriage (a 600% increase in common-law relationships) and church membership (a 30% decrease).
Why is it so difficult for people to make and/or keep their moral commitments? Well, I believe it’s a result of sin. Sin has broken this world, and the people in it. Pain, suffering, loss, disease, separation and decay are only some results of sin.
I strongly encourage us to make and keep our moral commitments to God, and to other people as much as we are able. We, the body of Christ, can set examples of what moral commitments should look like, and how they should be handled. If we’re constantly avoiding commitments, or breaking them, we’re not that much different than those who live according the the world.
Father God, our Glorious and Trustworthy Lord, You never break Your covenants with us, though we have broken moral covenants with You and Your people. Please help us to make moral commitments that are shatterproof, and honor every person in our lives. Would our love for You create unbreakable bonds and relationships, and may our obedience include keeping Your commandments. May every word and action reflect Your glory, from this day forward, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training
Clarification: I am aware that there are cases where commitments need to be broken. I’m not saying that no commitments can broken in general, but that our moral commitments (loving God, and loving our neighbors) should not be broken. For example, ending employment or an abusive relationship is not breaking a moral commitment. In fact, ending an abusive relationship might be necessary in order for us to keep our moral commitments (loving ourselves and others as Jesus would). There’s an important distinction between moral and amoral commitments, and the moral implications of keeping/breaking such commitments. Sometimes we even need external insight to discern the correct moral choices around our commitments. If you are having a difficult time discerning the morality of a specific commitment, please seek the help of a trusted Christ follower.