Scripture Union Daily Guide 30 November 2021 Tuesday Message
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Topic: Rededication To The Lord: A Binding Covenant
Opening Prayer: My dear heavenly Father, as I study your word, let it be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Scripture: Nehemiah 9: 38 – 10:39
Question(s) for Reflection
• What does the passage teach about God the Father, God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
• What is God revealing to me in this passage?
Outline: In the movie “Courageous”, one section calls men to make and commit to specific resolutions on how to responsibly lead their families. A book, The Resolution for Men, with its sequel, The Resolution for Women, have been written. Today’s passage mirrors such. All the people, with their leaders – political, spiritual and kinship (9:38-10:27) make a binding covenant that rises from an intense and genuine time of confession.
The covenant touches on several components, which we shall classify into three. ? Kinship, marriage and relationships (vs.28-30): God forbid intermarriage with nations outside the covenant long before Israel entered the Promised Land (Exodus 34:12-16).
This was to uphold purity of God’s people. Compare 2 Corinthians 6:14-16. Honouring the Sabbath (v.31): Notice their commitment to not only uphold the Sabbath day by declining to trade, but also the Sabbath year by giving rest to the land (Leviticus 25: 1-7) as well as cancelling all debts (Deuteronomy 15:1-2).
All these have an element of foregoing ‘money or harvest’ in order to rely entirely on God’s provision? Levitical practices and support including annual festivals, showbread, tithes, offerings, first fruits and maintenance of the treasury of the house of God (vs.32-39). The house of God had hitherto been neglected.
Practice/Word Application
• So: What commitment(s) have you made to God and how much have you kept them?
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
• Lord, help me to put you first in my life and show your love to others.
• Pray for yourself to be a faithful steward of time, talents, gifts, resources, power and influence God has entrusted to you.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Luke 2:40; 2 Chron. 23-24; Luke 9:18-36
Scripture Union Daily Guide 30 November 2021. Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.