5/25/25 Weekly Bible Lesson: Obligations

Nehemiah 10:28-39 NKJV 

Background of Text — In Nehemiah 8, the people assembled, and Ezra read the Law of God. They recognized the Feast of Tabernacles, where the Lord had instructed them to dwell in booths. Notice verse 8:17: a commandment of the Lord had been left by the wayside and ignored for generations. 

Nehemiah 9 begins with the reading of the Law followed by prayer and confession.  They recite their history through this chapter. They also recognized the sin of their forefathers. Their history was filled with rebellion, oppression, repentance, and God’s deliverance. The cycle repeated time and again. They also recognized the goodness of God and His justice. That led them to make a covenant with God and write it down. 

Nehemiah 10 gives a list of names of those who signed the document which was a covenant between the people and God. After 84 men sealed the covenant, the people also made the covenant with God. This was something they did publicly which gave them accountability. 

When we entered a covenant with God at our baptism, Jesus forgave our sins, and we took Him not only as Savior but also as Lord. There are several noteworthy similarities between their covenant and ours. 

Obligation to the Word of God. One reason why they fell into idolatry, and eventually into captivity, is because they had neglected God’s Word. The first commandment from God was, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Ignoring the first commandment led them into disobeying the others. In our text, they determined to “walk in God’s Law,” (verse 29). God’s Word would guide every aspect of their lives. 

What obligation do we have to the Word of God? Just like the Israelites, we are obligated to obey it. Don’t neglect God’s Word as they did, for if you do, you forget who God is. Have the proper respect for God and it will lead to obeying Him in all areas of our lives. It is in His Word where we find instruction for the rest of our lives. 

One of the obligations to His Word is to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). What does that mean? In the early church, there were those who were perverting Christianity, discussing to no profit the traditions of Judaism. Traditions are not equal to the Word of God. His Word is inspired and must be handled as such. 

Obligation to the Will of God. This has to do with allowing God to work in our lives and living according to His will. 

Because they had left God, He sent them into captivity, but it was also His will that they should return from captivity. His will for the people was to restore them to proper worship, honor, and respect. The greatest of all the commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Turning back to the Law meant they’d also returned to God’s will. This included the ordinances they set up for themselves (verses 31-39). The last phrase of verse 39, “we will not neglect the house of our God,” confirms that they were determined to get back to God’s will. 

God’s will for the nation of Israel was to be instrumental in bringing forth the Messiah. What did they do to implement His will? We see in verse 30 that they were determined to keep their lineage pure. 

What is the will of God for you and me today? God’s will in creation is redemption. God wants everyone to be saved. In addition, Paul writes in Romans 8:29 that it is God’s will for us to be conformed into the image of His Son, Jesus. 

How are we doing at fulfilling the will of God for your life? Do we look like Jesus? 

Obligation to the Work of God. One of the things concerning the work of God specifically was the gathering of wood for the offerings. Notice verse 34, “as it is written in the Law.” What did the Law say? Leviticus 6:12-13 said, “the fire shall never go out,” but there was no provision in Scripture where the wood came from. What might have been the business of everyone eventually became the business of no one. Eventually it became the job of the Gibeonites as punishment for their deceitfulness (Joshua 9:23). 

They devoted themselves to taking turns throughout the year to fulfill the duty of providing wood for the fire. This was no small task. Wood was not readily available. To keep up the supply, they spread the work around. God’s work was everyone’s business.  

We are obligated to do the work of God today. Too often, we make excuses for doing His work, leaving it for others to do. One excuse heard too often is, “I don’t have enough time.” God made time on His calendar for your salvation, and there will be no excuses accepted on Judgment Day. 

There is a work to do on earth for God. It takes resources both physically and monetarily, and all of us should do our part. It does not take talent to be useful, just a willing heart.