Nehemiah 10:1-16: a reflection

After the great confession and the reading of the law, the people of Israel do something decisive: they make a binding, written covenant to follow God, and their leaders put their names to it. The passage is a list of those who sealed it, Nehemiah the governor, the priests, the Levites, the chiefs of the people, name after name attached to the pledge. This was no vague, private good intention; it was a definite, public, signed commitment to walk in God's law, sealed with names.

Notice how concrete their commitment was. They did not merely feel moved, or resolve privately to do better; they made a specific, written pledge and signed their names to it, binding themselves publicly and definitely. Their renewed devotion took the form of a concrete commitment they could be held to, not a passing sentiment that would fade with the emotion of the moment.

There is wisdom in that for our own commitments to God. Good intentions and stirred feelings are easy and fleeting; they evaporate quickly if they are never made concrete. These leaders show a better way: to turn resolve into definite, specific, committed action, to put our name to it, so to speak, rather than leaving it as a vague wish. When God stirs you to change, to obey, to follow him more closely, do not let it stay a passing feeling. Make it concrete and definite, a real commitment you can be held to. Signed names outlast stirred feelings; turn your good intentions into a pledge you actually keep.