V 30 – 39. Some specific things are recognized as failures to be put right immediately.
This was a key time in
’s history – a time of renewal, even of revival.
Godly foundations were re-laid through the leadership of Nehemiah and Ezra.
William Booth. “I want you young men to bear in mind that it is the nature of a fire to
go out :
you must keep it stirred and fed and the ashes removed.”
1. How do we approach a passage like this as New Covenant people?
We are not under law but under grace and led by the Spirit. Galatians 5 : 16-18.
We have died to the law. Romans 7 : 6.
What place do commands have for us? Matthew 28 : 18-20. 5 : 24. John 15 : 10.Love/obey.
Do the Ten Suggestions apply to those “led by the Spirit” today?
1. What about the curse? Neh 10 : 29. See Galatians 3 : 10 – 13.
2. The people made promises in response to being awakened by God’s word.
V 30 No inter-marriage – because the unbeliever(s) will pull the believer(s) down,
individually and together. How does this apply to us today? Which key NT passage or
verse teaches this?
2 Cor 6 : 14 – 7 : 1. 1 Cor 7 : 39.
V 31 Keeping the Sabbath. The Sabbath was to be set aside as a day for God – for rest
and worship. All around them the gentiles were conducting business. Here was a real
temptation for Jews to cash in on Saturday trading.
How does this apply to us today? See Mark 2 : 23 – 3 : 6. Mark 6 : 31.
Four promises about bringing contributions to “the house of our God.”
Key repeated words in v 32-39 – Bring/bringing x7. The house of our God/ the Lord x8.
We assume the responsibility x2.
This passage builds to a climax – “We will not neglect the house of our God.”
What did this mean for them? (See Haggai) What does this mean for us?
(Ephesians 2:22)
a. V 32-33. The temple tax of Ex 30 : 11-16. (Still being paid at the time of Jesus.)
Provision for running the temple, particularly for offerings (grain, burnt, sabbath, holy, sin)
To enable the regular ministries of the temple to function.
b. V 34. The wood offering. Wood was needed to burn continuously on the brazen
altar.
c. V 35-36. The firstfruits and the firstborn.
Giving to God the first and the best. Prov 3 : 9-10. The amount was left for the giver to
decide.
The second goes back to Ex 14. The firstborn son belonged to God and had to be
redeemed by a sacrifice. This reminded the people that they were a people redeemed
by God.
d. V 37-39. Tithing – giving a tenth to support the Levites (who then tithed to the priests.)
Wrong tithing–out of fear,duty, greed,(to make God give me more) 90%= mine.
10% & no more.
Key NT verses on giving generously – Luke 6:38, 2 Cor 8:1-4, 2 Cor 9:6-7,
1 Cor 16:1-2.
Key NT words – generosity, faith, grace, heart. (Not tithing.)
We need to let the Spirit of truth speak to us. John 16:13. Be led by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:18.
