Following the great prayer of the Levites in chapter nine the people publicly enter into a covenant commitment to the Lord. Those who signed included the priests (v1-8), the Levites (v9-13) and the chiefs among the people (v14-27). Here we see that in this spiritual reformation the leaders take the lead. Pray for leaders in our church to lead in such faithful and God honouring way.

It is interesting what this covenant commitment is described as producing. The people separated themselves from ungodly influences and turn to the law of God (v28-29). This is repentance which includes both a turning away from sin and a turning to righteousness.

This covenant commitment had particular emphasis on their children not intermarrying with people from other nations and faiths (v30). They realised that losing the next generation would mean losing everything that had been restored. We must have a passion for godliness to be the hallmark of our children. The future of our church depends on this!