The Covenant to Support the Temple

Above:  Nehemiah the Governor

Image in the Public Domain

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READING 2 KINGS 22-25, 1 ESDRAS, 2 CHRONICLES 34-36, EZRA, AND NEHEMIAH

PART XXI

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Nehemiah 9:38-10:39

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We will not neglect the house of our God.

–Nehemiah 10:39, The New English Bible (1970)

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Given that consistent chronology is not the organizing principle in the Book of Nehemiah, we move chronologically from Chapter 13 to Chapters 9 and 10.

The quote is the culmination of this reading.  The statement of principle caps a series of concrete measures.  This is how principles work; they are general, but applications vary according to circumstances.  Therefore, a degree of relativity exists, but always within the context of a fixed principle.

One does well to ask oneself, how can I avoid neglecting the house of our God?  Answers will vary according to circumstances, including who one is, when one is, where one is, and which congregation to which one refers.

The Temple did not function as a congregation.  Nevertheless, the principle of not neglecting the Temple has logically extended to not neglecting congregations, their facilities, and their ministries.

The individual aspect of this principle nests inside a collective obligation.  “We” and “our” are plural.  An individualistic focus gives short shrift to communitarianism, a Biblical virtue.  According to the Law of Moses, people are responsible to and for each other.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

AUGUST 11, 2020 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINT GREGORY THAUMATURGUS, ROMAN CATHOLIC OF NEOCAESAREA; AND ALEXANDER OF COMONA, “THE CHARCOAL BURNER,” ROMAN CATHOLIC MARTYR, 252, AND BISHOP OF COMANA, PONTUS

THE FEAST OF SAINT EQUITIUS OF VALERIA, BENEDICTINE ABBOT AND FOUNDER OF MONASTERIES

THE FEAST OF MATTHIAS LOY, U.S. LUTHERAN MINISTER, EDUCATOR, HYMN WRITER, AND HYMN TRANSLATOR’ AND CONRAD HERMANN LOUIS SCHUETTE, GERMAN-AMERICAN LUTHERAN MINISTER, EDUCATOR, HYMN WRITER, AND HYMN TRANSLATOR

THE FEAST OF SAINT MAURICE TORNAY, SWISS ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST, MISSIONARY TO TIBET, AND MARTYR, 1949

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