RENEWAL OF THE COVENANT As the wall was completed, all presented repentance to God by fasting and prayers, and remembered God’s dealings with their fathers, Now all categories of the people came forward to renew the covenant with God. Our relationship with God is not confined in the buildings of worship and ministry; but it is an attachment to the Lord, and a reaction to His love, that reflects on our life on every aspect, whether concerning worship in the church life within the families, or behavior in the society in the Lord. The covenant was sealed by the governor (1), representatives of the priests (2- 8), the Levites (9-13), and the leaders of the people (14-27). All consented on its items (28-29), which are: a- To walk according to the law of God, and to keep all His commandments b- To refrain from marrying pagan spouses c- To keep the Sabbath (Amos 8: 5). To give rest to the land in the seventh year, as it came in the law (Exodus 23: 10-11). And to grant a release of debt in the seventh year (Deuteronomy 15: 1, 2) d- To fulfill the needs of the temple and its maintenance; to give tithes; to pay the temple tax, (that later became annual) (Matthew 17: 24); for the temple was committed to spend upon those who work in it. And as poverty prevailed at that time on the whole congregation, they made it nominal (32: 2; Luke 8: 12)………. And to bring wood to the temple (34); although this did not come in the law; So the people renewed the covenant on the day of the dedication.. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Nehemiah, the governor cared to put his seal on the covenant, followed by the spiritual and the civil leaders (1-27). As to the rest of the people, they pledged orally by a vow to commit themselves to it (28, 29) 1- A list of those who put their seal on the covenant 1 - 29 2- The conditions of the covenant 30 – 39 1- A LIST OF THOSE WHO PLACED THEIR SEAL ON THE COVENANT: The legally sealed document included 84 names, which came in order according to the following categories: the governor or the leader (1 or 2); the high priest and the priests (21 or 22); the Levites (17); the heads of the people (44). a- The governor or the leader: (1) “Now those who placed their seal on the document were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah” (1) Zedekiah: of unknown identity; yet, to be mentioned directly after the governor, and before the priests, makes some believe that he was the scribe or the assistant of the governor. While according to others, he was one of the priests or one of the heads of the priests’ groups. Their number would, therefore be 22 and not 21. b- The priests or the heads of the groups of priests: (3 – 8) “ Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah” (2) The verses 2 to 8 include 21 names, most of which appear in Nehemiah 12: 1-7. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “Pashhur, Amariah, Malchija” (3) “ Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch” (4) “Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah” (5) “Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch” (6) “Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin” (7) “Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah. These were the priests” (8) The heads of the groups of priests, mentioned here are 21, while their number came as 22 in Nehemiah 12: 1-7. According to some their number was 24, and the rest were either absent or abstained from putting their seal on the covenant. c- The Levites: (9-13) “The Levites: Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, and Kadmiel” (9) The verses 9 – 13 concerning the Levites, referred to 17 names; most of whom used to lead the congregation in prayers (Nehemiah 9: 4-5), and in the procedure of sealing the covenant. “Their brethren: Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan” (10) “Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah” (11) “ Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah” (12) https://coptic-treasures.com/ “ Hodijah, Bani, and Beninu” (13) d- The leaders of the people: (14 – 27). “The leaders of the people: Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani” (14) After the Levites, 44 leaders of the people put their seal on the covenant on behalf of the whole congregation. The names here came different from what came in Nehemiah 7 and Ezra 2, because of the difference in time. “Bunni, Azgad, Bebai” (15) “ Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin” (16) “Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur” (17) “Hodijah, Hashum, Beza” (18) “Hariph, Anathoth, Neba” (19) Anathoth, the name is derived from that of the Canaanite goddess ;Anath’; and is also the name of the village of the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1: 1). “Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir” (20) Hezir means a pig (see 1 Chronicles 24: 15); Calling by the names of animals and insects, was common among the Hebrews. “Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua” 21) “ Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah” (22) “Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub” (23) https://coptic-treasures.com/ “Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek” (24) “Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah” (25) “ Ahijah, Hanan, Anan” (26) “Malluch, Harim, and Baanah” (27) e- Others who came together with their children to show their consent on the covenant: As it was not practical for all to put their seal on the covenant, they showed their consent on it, either orally or by raising their hands; and were committed to it through a vow to walk in the law of God, and bring a curse upon themselves if they break it. “Now the rest of the people—the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, everyone who had knowledge and understanding” (28) All those present including the women and the children, proclaimed their commitment to the renewal of the covenant. Now, if the children in the old were committed to renew the covenant; it would be befitting, in the era of grace, not to deny the children the grace of the new covenant through baptism. The church since her apostolic time, knowing the importance of bringing the children into the membership of the secret body of Christ, and perceiving the value of their souls, designated the baptism of the children under the responsibility of their parents or (God-fathers or mothers), and put strict rules against slothfulness in this https://coptic-treasures.com/ concern.. In his epistle to the people of Smyrna that described the martyrdom of St. Polycarp in the second century AD, the martyr proclaimed: [For the last 86 years I have been ministering to Christ]; referring to the fact that he began his ministry since he was baptized in his early childhood……….St. Clement of Alexandria referred to the baptism of the little children. Then came his disciple Origen to say: [The church received from the apostles the tradition of baptizing the little children, to cleanse them from the inherited defilement by the sacrament of baptism] . And the laws of Hypoletus referred to the baptism of the little children, under the responsibility of the grown-ups. + The Lord Jesus Christ came to save all to Himself, namely all those born by Him, whether children, youth, or elders. + The children, the young, and the elders, get the new birth in God. (St. Erinaos) The renewal of the covenant also included those who entered into faith in God, of the pagan nations; for the doors of God’s mercies are wide open before all who come to Him from all nations, peoples, tongues, and tribes. “ -- these joined with their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes” (29) As there are: One Lord, one covenant, one baptism, and one hope for all, it would be befitting of all to be attached together in one body. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “all the commandments of the Lord”; For it is befitting of the believer to have a pure and a faithful heart, not to falter between two opinions, but becomes whole for God; long to keep faithfully all the commandments through the exalted grace of God. 2- THE CODITIONS OF THE COVENANT: a- To refrain from marrying pagan wives (30), from getting into mixed marriages (Ezra 9-10) “We would not give our daughters as wives to the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons” (30) For the believer to have his heart wide open to love all mankind, does not mean to be slothful in the salvation of his own soul, and in his enjoyment of the sacred life. It was befitting of the people not to enter into mixed marriage with the unbelievers, lest the idol-worship with its abomination would crawl into them; as commanded by God in Deuteronomy 7: 3-4. As it so often happened that, because of such marriage, the people perverted to idol-worship (1 kings 11: 1- 11). God said: “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7: 6). It is befitting of the family to be like a holy church, an icon of heaven; Of the parents to live in the presence of the Holy One; And of the children to experience the holy, exultant heavenly life, through the holy relationship between their parents, and their relationship with them. The (constitution) of the family is not just for the sake of emotional, social, psychological, and financial benefits; but it is the deposit of the eternal life. https://coptic-treasures.com/ According to St. John Chrysostom, [The holy house is like a little church]. + Matrimony is greater than to be a human institution; it is a miniature kingdom of the Lord. + Who are the two or three, gather together in the name of Christ, in whose midst the Lord will dwell (Matthew 18: 20)? Are they not the man, his wife, and their child, for the man and his wife unite by God? (St. Clement of Alexandria) + Matrimony is a spiritual gift, yet it would not be as such, in case of mixed marriage to unbelievers. For the Spirit of God is not given to dwell in unbelievers. + The man and the wife are one, like wine and water when mixed. And as the believer would be corrupted by an unbelieving partner, he who is not yet married, should either not marry at all, or marry in the Lord. (The scholar Origen) b- keeping the Sabbath and the Sabbath of the years (31) “ if the peoples of the land brought wares or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy it from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and we would forego the seventh year’s produce and the exacting of every debt”.(31) https://coptic-treasures.com/ The second condition is to keep the Sabbath, the holy days, and the Sabbath of the years; in which it is not allowed to buy or to sell.(Jeremiah 17: 19-27; Amos 8: 5; Exodus 23: 10-11; Leviticus 25: 2-7; Deuteronomy 15: 1-3). The material benefit was behind every dealing with the pagans during the holy days, to break the Sabbath and not to keep the feasts. …….. It is befitting of the believer not to replace God with money, and not to set the material benefit a god for himself; as the Sabbath for God is His comfort, not to be used in gathering profit , but to enjoy the Grantor of the eternal treasures -- God Himself. If the believer puts God first before anything else; He will count him also first and honor him; for “with the same measure we use, it will be measured back to us”.(Matthew 7: 1). “ Also we made ordinances for ourselves, to exact from ourselves yearly one-third of a shekel for the service of the house of our God” (32) The temple was rebuilt under the leadership of Zerubbabel (Ezra 6: 14-15), 70 years before; And it was befitting of the people to observe their commitment to fulfill the needs of the house of the Lord, by dedicating their tithes and their firstfruits to God, to spend on the poor, on the needs of the ministers, on the expenses of preaching, and on the testimony to the gospel of Christ. The rest of the conditions of the covenant deal with the offerings to the temple, according to what came in Exodus 30: 13-14. It was before, half a shekel on every male, twenty years old and over, as a symbolic redemption. Why is it now written “one-third of a shekel”? ………Because as the value of the shekel now increased, the third now became equal to a half shekel then. Later king Joash used those offerings to repair the temple (2 Chronicles 24: 4- 14). And even in the new covenant, every Jew, wherever he may be, was https://coptic-treasures.com/ committed to send half a shekel or what is equivalent to the temple in Jerusalem. (Matthew 17: 24). “ for the showbread, for the regular grain offering, for the regular burnt offering of the Sabbaths, the New Moons, and the set feasts; for the holy things, for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and all the work of the house of our God” (33) The showbread included 12 loaves of bread put in two rows every Sabbath (Leviticus24: 6-7); The grain offerings came in Exodus 29: 38-41; Numbers 28: 3-8). The burnt offerings came in Ezra 8: 35 The feast of the new moons and others came in Numbers 28: 9-16. Making atonement for Israel; means to wipe out their sins.. c- Paying the temple tax and bringing the wood offering into the house of God: (34) “We cast lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for bringing the wood offering into the house of our God, according to our fathers’ houses, at the appointed times year by year, to burn on the altar of the LORD our God as it is written in the Law” (34) Casting a lot among the people of God in the old covenant to know the will of God was done, when there is no prophet to inquire from him: https://coptic-treasures.com/ a- To Distribute the promised land on the tribes (Numbers 26: 55; Joshua 14: 2; 18: 10). a- To reveal a criminal (Joshua 7: 14; 1 Samuel 14: 42; Jonah 1: 7) b- To choose the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 10: 19-21) c- To “causes contentions to cease, and keeps the mighty apart” (Proverbs 18: 18) d- To designate the portion of the priests, the singers, and the gatekeepers (1 Chronicles 24: 5; 25: 8; 26: 13; Luke 1: 9) e- To designate who may dwell in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11: 1) On the day of Atonement in the old covenant, a lot was cast to know the goat for the Lord from the one to be the scapegoat (for Azazil (Leviticus 16: 8). And in the new covenant it was done to choose the apostle to replace Judas the traitor (Acts 1: 26). …………After the dwelling of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples, we do not hear that they have cast a lot, but the Holy Spirit told them what to do (Acts 11: 12); refers to whom He chooses for a specific work (Acts 13: 2); and grants the unity of view in the congregation (Acts 15: 28). Bringing the wood offering into the house of the Lord, We find no reference to a commandment that concerns this commitment in the five books of Moses; other than a reference to its use in the episode of offering Isaac a sacrifice to God; and what came in the book of Leviticus: “The sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar, and lay the wood in order on the fire” (Leviticus 1: 7) It was the responsibility of the Nethinim to prepare the wood for the altar (Ezra 2: 43). But because of captivity, the Nethinim were scattered, and the system concerning them collapsed. After the return from captivity, as not enough of them returned to Jerusalem, it was necessary for all the categories of the people to partake of this responsibility, and a lot was cast to distribute that responsibility on different families in different times of the year. It was called “the wood offering” here, in Nehemiah 13: 31; and no where else………. That is how it led to set a https://coptic-treasures.com/ feast for “the wood offering” to be celebrated on a specific day of the month of ‘Ab’ (August); the last day of the year when wood was cut for this purpose by all the tribes of Israel to offer to the temple. That day was kept with joy on a collective level, and it was not allowed to fast nor to mourn in it. e- The tithes and the firstfruits (35-38) “And we made ordinances to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, to the house of the LORD” (35) BESIDE WHAT THE PEOPLE WERE COMMITTED TO PAY AS A TRIBUTE TO THE ACCOUNT OF THE KING OF PERSIA, THEY WERE ALSO COMMITTED TO OFFER THE TITHES AND THE FIRSTFRUITS TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. OFFERING THE FIRSTFRUITS HAD A CONCEPT DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER GIFT TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD OR TO THE NEEDY; NAMELY THAT THE BELIEVER SHOULD LIVE IN A HOLY ATMOSPHERE; AND TO COUNT EVERY FIRSTFRUIT AS “HOLY FOR THE LORD”, BY WHOM ALL WILL BE HOLY. HOW TO CANCEL THIS CAPITAL LETTERS FORM? “ I WISH ALL OF US QUOTE EXAMPLES FROM THE HOLY BOOKS, TO FIND OUT WHAT IS HOLY (CONSECRATED), AND TO KNOW THAT THIS DESIGNATION NOT CONFINED TO PERSONS, BUT INCLUDES EVEN THE IRRATIONAL ANIMALS THAT ARE CALLED ‘HOLY’, BESIDE THE VESSELS FOR SERVICE (EXODUS 40: 9), THE ATTIRES OF PRIESTS (EXODUS 28: 2), AND EVEN CERTAIN LOCATIONS THAT WERE COUNTED AS ‘PRIESTLY’ (NUMBERS 35: 1-8). THE LA W SAYS THAT THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THE BULLS AND HERDS ARE TO BE OFFERED AS SACRIFICES TO THE LORD; AND SAYS THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE, FOR THEY ARE CONSECRATED TO THE LORD https://coptic-treasures.com/ (THE SCHOLAR ORIGEN) + DO NOT YOU SEE HOW THE LAW PROCLAIMS GOD’S JUSTICE AND GOODNESS AT THE SAME TIME; HR WHO PRESENTS FOOD WITHOUT LIMITS TO ALL?...... HOW, IN THE HARVEST OF VINES, THE WORKERS ARE ORDERED NOT TO GO BACK TO PLUCK WHAT THEY LEFT ON THE TREES, OR TO GATHER WHAT FELL ON THE GROUND. THE SAME RULES APPLY TO THOSE WHO CROP THE OLIVES (DEUTERONOMY 24: 20-21). THE FOUNDATION OF THE ORDINANCES THAT CONCERN THE CROPS AND THE HERDS IS ACTUALLY TO TEACH TO HONOR WHAT IS DIVINE. IT IS BEFITTING OF US NOT TO HAVE OUR THOUGHTS COMPLETELY ABSORBED BY THE MATERIAL PROFITS; BUT TO HAVE COMPASSION ON THE NEEDY AS WELL. https://coptic-treasures.com/ OFFERING THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THE CROPS WAS MEANT TO COVER THE NEEDS OF THE PRIESTS AND THE LEVITES (EXODUS 23: 19; 34: 26; LEVITICUS 19: 23-24; NUMBERS 18: 13; DEUTERONOMY 26: 1-11). ACCORDING TO THE LAW, THE FIRSTFRUITS SHOULD BE OFFERED FROM SEVEN KINDS OF FRUIT TREES, BESIDE THOSE OF EVERY FRUITFUL TREE.. . “ to bring the firstborn of our sons and our cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and our flocks, to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God” (36) Concerning the firstfruits of the animals, see Exodus 13: 13, 15; 34: 20; Leviticus 27: 26-33; Numbers 3: 44- 51; 18: 15-17; Deuteronomy 14: 32-26. ……….. It was befitting of Nehemiah, on the occasion of that new beginning with the building the wall of Jerusalem, to remind his people of God’s command on their exodus from the land of Egypt to offer the firstfruits, https://coptic-treasures.com/ “ to bring the firstfruits of our dough, our offerings, the fruit from all kinds of trees, the new wine and oil, to the priests, to the storerooms of the house of our God; and to bring the tithes of our land to the Levites, for the Levites should receive the tithes in all our farming communities” (37) The storerooms refer to some rooms in the temple designated for that purpose (Ezra 8: 29’ 10: 6). To bring the tithes of our land; namely to offer the tithes of the crops; an old custom delivered by oral tradition (Genesis 14: 20; 28: 22).. “And the priest, the descendant of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive tithes; and the Levites shall bring up a tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the rooms of the storehouse” (38) Taking tithes from all the tribes, the Levites, in their turn were committed to give tithes from what they get (Numbers 18: 25-32). “For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the grain, of the new wine and the oil, to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are, where the priests who minister and the gatekeepers and the singers are; and we will not neglect the house of our God” (39). https://coptic-treasures.com/ -------------------------- AN INSPIRATION FROM NEHEMIAH 10 EVERY MORNING, O LORD, WE RENEW THE COVENANT WITH YOU + Every morning and evening, my depths cry out, saying: Forgive our trespasses; This is a daily open confession that we break the law; And that we are in need every day to renew the covenant with You + When shall I see the whole world desire to renew the covenant with You? Let me start by myself; and by the Spirit, together with my brethren; My heart, mind, senses, and emotions; And all the energies of my soul and body; Are in need of continuous renewal. + I confess to You my unfaithfulness; When You are so amazingly faithful in loving me; Sanctify me by Your Holy Spirit; Fill all my depths by Yourself. + How can I promise You not to break one commandment; https://coptic-treasures.com/ When I am so weak? But Your grace is capable of carrying and sanctifying me; It grants me the strength of the Spirit, to keep me from failing; It opens before me the doors of hope, so as not ever to despair; It grants me the spirit of strength, success, and conquest. + Take away from me every evil desire; I wish no one, but You would enter my heart; Set a wedding inside me; Proclaim Your kingdom in my depths; Rejoice in me, and me in You; As the groom and the bride rejoice in one another. + Let all my days be a holy spiritual Sabbath; Let they be an unceasing joyful feast; Let me unite with You, O the Resurrection; To enjoy the resurrected life; the heavenly Sabbath. + How my soul moans in me! When I hear You saying: “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Luke 9: 58). Will You condescend and lay it in my heart? To live perpetually in the day of the Lord; And to let You be my true feast. https://coptic-treasures.com/ + What should I offer to the house of my God? Receive my whole life united with You, O the Firstborn. For by You I would be a member in the church of the firstborns; I have nothing to offer You; Neither tithes nor firstfruits; But to offer all my being, O my soul’s beloved; “My beloved is mine and I am his; He feeds his flock among the lilies” (Songs 2: 16).
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