Nehemiah 9 & 10: The Firstborn
Verse of the Day: (10:36) Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister to in the house of our God:
1. Fire (9:1-38)
Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go. (9:12)
Though Israel failed God many times, especially in the wilderness, yet He was always ready to pardon their sins, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsook them not as He led them as a pillar of fire in the night and a pillar of cloud in the day. Nehemiah and Israel separated themselves with the unbelievers, and began reading God’s Word for more than 6 hours, and another 6 hours in confessing and repenting their sins, and in worshipping Him. Indeed, let us truly spend time reading and applying God’s Word in our lives, as well as worshipping Him, as He is not only a loving God, but He is also a consuming Fire who judges us of all our sins. (Hebrews 12:28-29)
2. Firstborn (10:1-36)
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; (10:29)
God brought revival to Israel, as they diligently heard and applied His Word in their lives, and confessed and repented their sins. They then covenanted with God, and sealed with the names of Nehemiah, the princes, priests and Levites to obey His commandments. Subsequently, they dedicated their firstborns to God, knowing that He is the Giver of life and the Creator of all living creatures, including man, made in His own image. Indeed, let us be thankful to God for lovingly sending His Firstborn and only begotten Son, Jesus, to live, minister, die and shed His blood for the sins of the whole world. (Romans 8:29-39)
3. Firstfruits (10:37-39)
And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage. (10:37)
Beside their firstborns, Israel also gave their firstfruits of everything to God, thanking Him for all that He had blessed them with. Indeed, let us look forward to the glorious day when Jesus, our Firstfruit, shall lead us to glorious heaven during the Rapture, together with all the resurrected Old as well as New Testament saints. (1 Corinthians 15:20-23)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to give my firstborn, firstfruits and my life to You.
