Nehemiah 10:29

They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into 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 judgments and his statutes;

Ver. 29. They clave to their brethren] Heb. They laid fast hold on them, viz. by taking hold of the covenant, to keep the Sabbath from polluting it, and choosing the things that please God, as Isaiah 56:4; Isaiah 56:6 .

And entered into a curse] The more to confirm the oath, and to keep their deceitful hearts close to God. See Deuteronomy 29:12; Deuteronomy 29:21. This is called the oath of God, Ecclesiastes 7:2. Confer Isaiah 19:18; Isaiah 44:5; 2 Chronicles 15:12; 2 Chronicles 15:14; 2 Chronicles 34:31 .

To walk in God's law] Ex gnomone et canone decalogi, to walk accurately and exactly by line and by rule (Aug. in Exod.). "In all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless," Luke 1:6, so far as by his grace he should vouchsafe to assist them. For lex iubet, gratia iuvat. The law orders, grace assists. The bowls of the candlestick have no oil but what droppeth from the olive branches. David can wish well to the keeping of God's commandments diligently, Psalms 119:4,5, but promise no further than God shall please to enlarge his heart, Nehemiah 10:32. Vows and covenants indefinitely and absolutely made (as that of Jephthah, Jdg 11:31) prove a snare. Condition with the Lord for his strength and grace; rely not on thine own sufficiency, lest it repent thee of thy rashness and self-confidence, as it befell Peter. Consider that thou art but a poor garrison soldier; and without supplies of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, Philippians 1:19, thou canst do nothing. David knew this, and therefore called earnestly for help from heaven, Psalms 51:13,15; Psalms 119:106,107 .