Nehemiah 10:1-31
“Now on the sealed document were the names of: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah,…” (1) All the political and spiritual leaders of Judah signed the document. “Now the rest of the peoples, 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 God,…” (28a) Those who made commitments to follow God’s Word were those who first separated from the influence of the ungodly peoples of the land. Many today are unable to make commitments to God, His Word and His people only because they are unwilling to separate from their attachment to this world and its influences. After separation from the “…peoples of the lands…” they were free to commit to God’s family and God’s Word. They also make a commitment not to compromise this agreement by keeping their children separated from the ungodly marriages. Even further, they commit to not violating God’s Sabbath by doing business only within the guidelines of Scripture. May God help us to see the essential nature of separation in making our commitment to follow Him fully.