IMPOVERISHMENT AND MORAL BREAKDOWN WITH NO WORSHIP

IMPOVERISHMENT AND MORAL BREAKDOWN WITH NO WORSHIP

"We will not forsake the house of our God" Neh. 10:39

In this chapter we have some further particulars of the Covenant which the people made with Jehovah following upon the great Day of Humiliation. This Covenant was sealed as represented by the priests (vv. 3-8); by the Levites (9-13); by the rulers (14-27); and to its terms all the people agreed (28). These terms are set forth in general phrases and in some particular applications. Generally, the people promised "to walk in God's law . . . to observe and do all His commandments." Particularly, the Covenant referred to matters in which the people had already failed—those, namely, of inter-marriage with the surrounding idolatrous peoples, of neglect of the Sabbath, of Temple maintenance and arrangement, and of the offering of first-fruits and tithes. It would seem as though Nehemiah laid special emphasis on these later things, and these concluding words give the reason for this stress. He knew the utmost importance of the house of God to the national life, and therefore he said: "We will not forsake the house of our God." The MAINTENANCE OF STRENGTH of the worship of God is of utmost importance, principally for the sake of the worshipers. There is a very true sense in which it may be affirmed that our worship cannot enrich God. But there is yet another sense in which He is ROBBED IF WE CEASE TO WORSHIP, for whenever we do, we suffer IMPOVERISHMENT IN OUR DEEPEST LIFE, and that results in MORAL BREAKDOWN. Therefore let us also forever say, "We will not forsake the house of our God."