Nehemiah 10

“We will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will forego the crops of the seventh year and the exaction of every debt” (v31). As the Israelites recommitted to God’s ways, they included even the hard part: economics. They pledged to stop business on the Sabbath, letting God provide for them, and they pledged to honor “the seventh year” by not tilling their fields and not collecting debts. These radical, risky actions only made sense if God was with them.

“All who have knowledge and understanding …” (v28). Rather than forced submission, God’s people obey Him because they know and understand His ways are for our good.