9/9/13 The People Concretely Repent

12 “We will give it back,” they said. “And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say.”

Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. 13 I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, “In this way may God shake out of their house and possessions anyone who does not keep this promise. So may such a person be shaken out and emptied!”

At this the whole assembly said, “Amen,” and praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised.

Thoughts: Before the exile, the kings would promise one thing and do another.  Zedekiah had promised to set the enslaved Israelites free- but then reneged on his promise (Jeremiah 34).  Their false promises meant nothing.  After the exile, Nehemiah and Ezra (see 10:5) encouraged the people to take oaths before God.  Nehemiah even called down a curse that the people would be shaken out of their houses if they did not keep their word.  The people agreed, praised God and kept their word.
    We do not need to say things to God lightly.  What we say to the God of truth should be kept with integrity and truth.  Nehemiah knew that part of the reason the people were allowed to be kicked out of the land was their corruption in word and truth.  It pleases God, not only when we intent to do the right thing, or say we will do it, but when we follow through.  

Prayer: Help me to not only pledge to help others, but to keep my pledge.  Help me to be consistent and follow through.