Read: Nehemiah 9:22-1-:39; 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13; Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 21:13
Nehemiah continues his speech about their nation’s history. He reminds them of all God did for them and then how over and over they rebelled against him and found themselves in trouble. In their troubles they would call out to him and because he is merciful and love, he forgave them only to have them repeat their sins. It was a vicious cycle and they found themselves repenting once again and turning back to him as their God.
They made a covenant to the Lord in writing and had it sealed with their own names. Nehemiah, the governor, the priests, the Levites, and the chiefs of the people signed it. The rest of the people entered into a curse and an oath to walk in the law of the Lord given by Moses and to obey it. They vowed not to do business on the Sabbath, but to keep it holy. They vowed to honor the seventh year and forgive all debts. They promised to give a third of a shekel every year for the upkeep of the temple and to observe all the feasts, Sabbaths and holy days.
The priests vowed to offer the sacrifices and bring all the offerings into the house of the Lord every year. It was their job to collect the contributions from the people and bring them to the house of God. They vowed to keep the praise and worship going in the house of God.
In Corinthians, Paul continues his sermon on being free in Christ. Although he is free to enjoy what he wants, he chooses to serve others and honor them above himself. He keeps the letter of the law to honor the Jews in hopes that he might win some over to faith in Jesus. His law is not the law of Moses, but the law of Christ.
Paul compares our walk with the Lord to a race and challenges us to do what is necessary to win. It takes discipline and self control to be in top shape to be the winner. We have to discipline our spiritual bodies to run our spiritual race.
The people Moses brought out of Egypt all saw the miracles God did and ate the manna from heaven and drank from the water from the rock which represented Christ, yet they still did not please God. They brought their false gods with them and rebelled against the Lord. They were examples to us of what not to do.
When Moses was up on the mountain receiving the law, there was a group of 23,000 that made a golden calf and worshiped it. They died in one day because they chose idolatry over God.
God has promised us that in all temptation, He is able to provide a way to escape participating in it.
Lord, may we take the escape door that you provide and may we choose to follow the path of righteousness instead of the fleeting pleasure of sin. May we see sin as it is - a path to death. Thank you that you have given us life.
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