1 Those who sealed it were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hakaliah. Zedekiah,
2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
3 Pashhur, Amariah, Malkijah,
4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluk,
5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,
6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,
7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
8 Maaziah, Bilgai and Shemaiah. These were the priests.
9 The Levites: Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel,
10 and their associates: Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
11 Mika, Rehob, Hashabiah,
12 Zakkur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
13 Hodiah, Bani and Beninu.
14 The leaders of the people: Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani,
15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,
16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
17 Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur,
18 Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,
19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,
20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
21 Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,
22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub,
24 Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,
25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
26 Ahiah, Hanan, Anan,
27 Malluk, Harim and Baanah.
28 “The rest of the people priests, Levites, gatekeepers, musicians, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand
29 all these now join their fellow Israelites the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord.
30 “We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons.
31 “When the neighboring peoples bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts.

Reflection

Everyone Is Included (10:1–29)
Different people take part in this public acknowledgment of sin and affirmation of God’s Law. The ceremony is not limited to priests and Levites; it also includes people from all walks of life. This shows that all those who belong to God’s household through Christ have a part to play in living out the gospel and building the church. The conviction and transformation the gospel brings cuts across age groups, financial situations, careers, and nationalities. We sometimes make the mistake of thinking that the community of believers does not really need our involvement. But God has brought each of us individually into His church and He desires for us to both declare and practice our faith alongside other believers.

- Why does declaring our faith together with other believers matter? What are some ways that each believer can actively participate in the life of the church?

God at the Center of Marriage (10:30–31)
The people promise not to intermarry with the neighboring people groups, a command that God constantly repeats in the Old Testament. Why does He put this restriction upon His people? God forbids the Israelites to intermarry with their neighbors because He knows that such a relationship would draw His people away from true worship of the true God. He knows that being in such an intimate relationship with someone who does not trust Him for salvation will result in painful difficulties that might weaken the faith of those who follow Him. God created marriage as a reflection of His love for His people. Marriage loses much of its purpose when God is not at its center.

- Why does God care about who His children marry? What does Scripture teach about the purpose of marriage? 

A letter to God 

Dear Father, I am so amazed at how You have welcomed people from all walks of life into Your household. Help me love them just as You do. Create in Your church a strong desire to walk alongside one another and build up one another’s faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.

All Copyrights of the text in Living Life belong to Duranno Books.