S) "31 As for the peoples of the land who bring wares or any grain on the sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the sabbath or a holy day; and we will forego the crops the seventh year and the exaction of every debt."
Nehemiah 10:31 (NASB)
O) The people of God had just recommitted themselves to Him. This verse comes in the midst of a new covenant they were declaring with the LORD. Nothing they outlined in their vows was particularly new, per se, but the wording of this phrase drew attention to a very important aspect of sanctification and holiness. In their commitment to being a holy people to the LORD, they reaffirmed the importance of the Sabbath. Highlighted in this verse, though, is the outside culture of merchants that will certainly come, with no regard whatsoever for the Sabbath. Not everyone in there land is an Israelite. They are no longer a sovereign, theocratic kingdom, able to legislate the behaviors of every sojourner in their city. Instead, they simply outline how they, themselves, will or will not interact with those peoples of the land.
A) Notice, the merchants are not vilified. The Israelites understood that these were just people trying to make a living. However, that does not permit them to forsake what they know is right, upholding the Sabbath as holy, righteously mandated from the LORD. In the same way, I live in a culture trying to sell me things. Forgetting the legalism of trying to maintain the actual Sabbath (see Mark 2:23-28, especially 27), I am never going to change the capitalist culture of my country. It's not all negative, either. However, I need to identify what about that culture is harmful to me (e.g., discontent, false hopes, wrong values, etc.). Legislation is never going to completely align with biblical morals, and I cannot rely on it to guide me. I cannot control the culture around me, I can only control my own culture. Like the remnant in Jerusalem, I need to establish within my own culture (i.e., my family and close friends), holy disciplines for walking in righteousness. Just because someone shows up with something to sell, doesn't mean you buy it.
P) Father, there are so many times when I simply wish to be done with all of the world's concerns. I long for pure, completed reconciliation with You. I long for the glorious perfection that You have promised. But, I know that Your will is sovereign and good. As long as I am to stay alive on this planet, I will be. While I am here, help me to be satisfied in You. Let me rest against the Rock of my salvation, amid the torrent of the culture around me. Help me to establish a culture within my family, that is satisfied only in relationship with Jesus. Help me, by grace, to show that culture to others. Help me be biblically counter-cultural in my approach to spending, specifically, and holiness in every aspect of my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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