The Leader Who Challenges and PROMISES | Nehemiah 10:1–39 | Message 10
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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.
32 “We assume the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a third of a shekel[b] each year for the service of the house of our God: 33 for the bread set out on the table; for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings; for the offerings on the Sabbaths, at the New Moon feasts and at the appointed festivals; for the holy offerings; for sin offerings[c] to make atonement for Israel; and for all the duties of the house of our God.
34 “We—the priests, the Levites and the people—have cast lots to determine when each of our families is to bring to the house of our God at set times each year a contribution of wood to burn on the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the Law.
35 “We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.
36 “As it is also written in the Law, we will bring the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks to the house of our God, to the priests ministering there.
37 “Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and olive oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work. 38 A priest descended from Aaron is to accompany the Levites when they receive the tithes, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of the tithes up to the house of our God, to the storerooms of the treasury. 39 The people of Israel, including the Levites, are to bring their contributions of grain, new wine and olive oil to the storerooms, where the articles for the sanctuary and for the ministering priests, the gatekeepers and the musicians are also kept.
“We will not neglect the house of our God.”
Nehemiah 10:1–39
Have you reached that defining moment in your spiritual life where you have made written, thoughtful promises to God? If not, why not? There is no better time than now as we come to Nehemiah chapter 10. This chapter is a time capsule of wholehearted surrender—a living example for us to follow.
A promise is more than casual intent; it is a solemn declaration, a binding pledge, a spiritual contract. In God’s sight, we are not just what we say—we are what we commit to! In this chapter, the people of God speak with one voice, declaring repeatedly: “Lord, we promise to You!”
“They solemnly PROMISED to carefully follow all the commands, regulations, and decrees of the Lord our Lord” (10:29).
“We PROMISE not to let our daughters marry the pagan people of the land, and not to let our sons marry their daughters” (10:30).
“We also PROMISE … every seventh year we will let our land rest, and we will cancel all debts owed to us” (10:31).
“We PROMISE to obey the command to pay the Temple tax of one-eighth of an ounce of silver for the care of the Temple of our God” (10:32).
“We AGREE to give our eldest sons and the firstborn of all our herds and flocks, as prescribed in the Law” (10:36).
“And we PROMISE to bring to the Levites a tenth of everything our land produces” (10:37b).
“We PROMISE not to neglect the Temple of our God” (10:39).
What grips me about this chapter is that the leaders led the way. They were the first to declare, “Let’s put in writing what God has done in our hearts!” They drew up a formal covenant (9:38) so that future generations would never forget the promises made to the Lord. Picture the scene: the walls of Jerusalem rebuilt, the gates hung strong, and the people, under Ezra and Nehemiah’s leadership, fresh from a national revival, now pledging their obedience in writing. This was not vague spiritual intent—it was radical, written commitment.
The covenant was signed by 21 priests, 17 Levites, and 44 leaders—men courageous enough to put their names on the line for God so His work would continue. Their legacy calls us to do the same.
As you hear this message, you’ll discover 7 key historic areas where God’s people made promises. I challenge you to take note of each one—and at the end, take a pen in your hand. Write down the specific promises you are making today to live a life of Christian distinction, wholehearted love for God and people, and bold service for Jesus Christ. Make that promise now.
The missionary pilot Nate Saint (1923–1956) embodied this kind of promise-driven leadership. Along with Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, and Pete Fleming, Nate was killed in Ecuador at the hands of the Huaorani, one of the most violent tribal groups in South America (then called “Auca”). Yet the story did not end with their tragic martyrdom. With extraordinary courage, Elisabeth Elliot (Jim’s widow) and Rachel Saint (Nate’s sister) returned to live among the Huaorani. Their love for Christ and compassion for their enemies opened the way for many of the very men who had killed the missionaries to come to faith in Jesus Christ.
In her book Through Gates of Splendor, Elisabeth Elliot records Nate Saint’s life-shaping promise: “Lord, make me a fork in the road, so that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me.” That is the kind of promise that reshapes the course of history.
