Nehemiah 10:1-27

Those who signed the covenant -- Nehemiah 10:1-27: The names of several leaders were signed, sealed and subscribed to the covenant that they made with God. These names were listed in the first verses of Nehemiah 10. This is the covenant that was referred to in Nehemiah 9:38. "And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it." The covenant was signed by Nehemiah, then the priest, the Levities and then by family leaders. Their actions were like that of signing a contract today. They signed their names to a written covenant and later they were expected to keep it. This chapter allows us to see some of the details of that covenant. One of the things that they committed themselves to was that they wanted to "keep God's commandments." According to Exodus 24 Israel came into covenant with God. Then they made a sacrifice and sprinkle the blood of the animals on the book and on the people. Here, they were entering in on the same covenant of obedience to God by simply sealing and subscribing its written articles. The names are listed of those who were the representatives of the people as being the ones who both subscribed to and sealed this covenant. This was a good example of leadership both in signing and in keeping the covenant. The covenant was signed by Nehemiah, by 22 priests, 17 Levites and 44 chiefs of the people. They signed the covenant saying they would keep God's law.