In Nehemiah 8 the people gathered as one man at the square. Nehemiah 8:2 says, “Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.” [Yom Teruah/Feast of Trumpets]

As we keep reading through the book we discover in Nehemiah 9:2-3 “2 The descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of YHVH their Elohim for a fourth of the day [six hours]; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped YHVH their Elohim. [six hours]”

Continuing through chapter nine we read where a group of Levites cried out to YHVH; blessing and honoring Him for ALL that He had done for His people.  In Nehemiah 9:38 they say, “Now because of all this we are making an agreement in writing; and on the sealed document are the names of our leaders, our Levites and our priests.”

Chapter ten begins listing all of the names of the Levites and Priests that are on this sealed document; now we get to the heart of the matter beginning in verse 28.

Nehemiah 10:28-31;

“28 Now the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of Elohim, their wives, their sons and their daughters, all those who had knowledge and understanding, 29 are joining with their kinsmen, their nobles, and are taking on themselves a curse [meaning that they accepted the punishment that came with breaking the commandments] and an oath to walk in Elohim’s law, which was given through Moses, Elohim’s servant, and to keep and to observe all the commandments of YHVH our Adonai, and His ordinances and His statutes; 30 and that we will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons. [They will not be unequally yoked with non Torah observant people] 31 As for the peoples of the land who bring wares or any grain on the sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the sabbath or a holy day; and we will forego the crops the seventh year and the exaction of every debt.”

We can see from these patterns that those who had a Spirit of Understanding were the ones gathered together to make the commitment to separate themselves from lawless people, as well as separate themselves to the commandments of Yah [this is speaking of not being in a yoked relationship with lawless people]. Is it any different for us today?  If we truly have the Spirit of Understanding our response will be the same as our forefathers.  We will separate from that which displeases our Father and separate ourselves to that which is pleasing to Him.

Shalom & Blessings,

Courtesy of
River of Life Tabernacle
Tammy McLendon
Great peace have they who love Your law. Psalm 119:165a