CHAPTER X _The names of those who sealed the covenant_, 1-27. _All solemnly promise not to have affinity with the people of_ _the land_, 28-30; _to observe the Sabbaths_, 31; _to provide for the sanctuary according to the law_, 32-36; _and to pay the regular tithes for the support of the pries... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 28. _AND THE REST OF THE PEOPLE_] All had, in one or other of the classes which sealed, their _representatives_; and by their sealing they considered themselves bound.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 29. _THEY CLAVE TO THEIR BRETHREN_] Though they did not _sign_ this instrument, yet they bound themselves under a _solemn_ _oath_ that they would fulfil the conditions of the covenant, and walk according to the law of Moses.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 30. _NOT GIVE OUR DAUGHTERS_] Make no affinity with the people of the land.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 31. _BRING WARE_] We will most solemnly keep the Sabbath. _Leave the seventh year_-We will let the land have its Sabbath, and rest every seventh year. See on Exodus 23:10-2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 32. _CHARGE OURSELVES YEARLY WITH THE THIRD PART OF A_ _SHEKEL_] According to the law, every one above _twenty_ years of age was to give _half a shekel_ to the sanctuary, which was called a _ransom for their souls_. See Exodus 30:11-2. But why is _one third_ of a shekel now promised instead o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 34. _CAST THE LOTS -FOR THE WOOD-OFFERING_] There does not appear to have been any _wood-offering_ under the law. It was the business of the _Nethinim_ to procure this; and hence they were called _hewers of wood_ and _drawers of water_ to the congregation. But it is very likely that after the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 36. _ALSO THE FIRST-BORN_] See this law, and the reasons of it, Exodus 13:1. As by this law the Lord had a right to all the firstborn, instead of these he was pleased to take the _tribe_ _of Levi_ for the whole; and thus the Levites served at the tabernacle and temple, instead of the _first-bo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 38. _TITHE OF THE TITHES_] The tithes of all the produce of the fields were brought to the Levites; out of these a _tenth_ part was given to the priests. This is what is called the _tithe_ _of the tithes_. The law for this is found, Numbers 18:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 10:39. _WE WILL NOT FORSAKE THE HOUSE OF OUR GOD._] Here was a glorious resolution; and had they been faithful to it, they had been a great and good people to the present day. But what is implied in, _We will not forsake the house of our God_? I answer:- I. The Church of God is the h... [ Continue Reading ]