Ezra had called the people to confession of sin and obedience to God. And the people made “a firm covenant in writing; on the sealed document are the names of our princes, our Levites, and our priests” (9:38). Ever heard the phrase “That guarantee is not worth the paper it’s written on?” Chapter ten gives the names of the signees of the covenant in which the leaders and all the people make an oath to walk in obedience, to separate from the pagan peoples, to give to the support of the temple and its officers, and not to neglect the house of God. Such high and lofty promises. And it’s good that the people made those promises. But will they keep them?
On the occasion of these promises, Nehemiah gathered the people and they gave thanks and sang as great choirs while continuing to follow through on their promises. But the question returns: Will they keep those promises? Not too many years, later, the prophet Malachi spoke of how the people had spurned God, had corrupted worship, and had profaned the covenant. All this reminds, once again, of the necessity of not only starting well but finishing well, of not only getting out of the starting blocks but also running the full race. How merciful is our God to us as we stumble and fall while attempting to run.
Rejoice today with one accord,
sing out with exultation;
rejoice and praise our mighty Lord,
whose arm hath brought salvation.
His works of love proclaim
the greatness of his name;
for he is God alone,
who hath his mercy shown:
let all his saints adore him! -- H. W. Baker (1861)