Dick and Jane were so happy and very much in love. They sealed their love with a marriage covenant. In the presence of God with many family and friends in attendance they made their vows to each other. Jane and Dick were so sure it would last, their promises were forever.

It was certainly their intention to keep Christ at the center of their lives and marriage. The teachings of the Bible would be their guide. Dick and Jane were active in their church and established their home on Godly principles. What a delight it was to live for Jesus Christ and to share this love with others. Their love and faithfulness was demonstrated in practical ways and was a beautiful testimony to the Lord.

Well, years passed. While Dick and Jane were still living under the same roof their relationship was no longer characterized by love and fidelity. Other activities and people had become more important. If you would ask either Jane or Dick if they still loved each other they would both say yes. However, they had allowed the affairs of the world to take a toll on their marriage. Sharing together in prayer, Bible study and worship took place only occasionally and with lessening enthusiasm. In spite of this Dick and Jane Doe still thought of themselves as members of the Adel United Methodist Church. When they did open their Bible at home or come to worship they realized that things were not the way they ought to be. While their love for God and each other had grown cold, they hadn't gotten a divorce and they hadn't withdrawn their church membership. Years earlier, they would have said that this could never happen to them. Is there any hope for Jane and Dick?

My friends, I tell you this story of an imaginary couple this morning to help illustrate the situation Nehemiah faced.
    I.    Review of the Previous Covenant
   II.    Realization of present Covenant Violations
  III.    Restoration of Principles of Covenant

I. Review of the Previous Covenant

Some years earlier God's people had entered into a covenant with the Lord. We read about that in chapters 9 & 10 and I told you about the Terms of the Agreement a few weeks ago. Remember that this came about as a result of the people hearing the scriptures read after they had worked together to rebuild the city wall around Jerusalem. As I spoke about this covenant I mentioned that these terms were based on a previous agreement with Abraham and Moses. Let's do a quick review.

A Keep the Commandments They promised to keep all the law and commandments that they should have already been doing. Not only did these people voluntarily take an oath to walk in God's law; they also took a curse upon themselves if they did not do as they promised.
B. Keep the Purity of Marriage. They covenanted to have their children only marry those who shared their faith in God. Marriage of the children of the godly with heathen had been a recurring problem and particularly during this period of time.
C. Keep the Sabbath. Worshipping and honoring God - especially on one day each week was vitally important and they had been neglected it. They vowed to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
D. Keep Tithing and Giving. While the walls were in ruins, not only had worship been neglected, so had tithing and giving. After the repairs were completed they promised to keep giving to God 1/10th of their income regularly, and extra offerings in addition to the 10%. They also vowed, "We will not neglect the house of our God."

As we review the previous covenant we might think that God must have been please. Well, what happened? As we come to the close of the book of Nehemiah we read of a

II. Realization of present Covenant Violations

Like the fictitious couple I described earlier this morning, I believe that the Israelites sincerely had every intention of keeping the vows when they made them, but years passed. Apparently many people had ceased gathering to hear the word of God read. Now, as they heard them again, there is a realization of covenant violations, which we will not in a moment.

First, let me point out that Governor Nehemiah had left Jerusalem to return to his responsibilities with King Artaxerxes in Babylon. Back in chapter 2 we saw that King Artaxerxes sent Nehemiah to Jerusalem with the understanding that he would return to Susa when the wall was rebuilt. Nehemiah did go back to Susa. In this final chapter of the book of Nehemiah we discover that Nehemiah again requested a leave from King Artaxerxes and he return to Jerusalem. While the physical wall that he had led them in rebuilding was still intact, the godly principles in which he had led them were being ignored, abused, and disobeyed.

The temple, the holy place, had been desecrated. Eliashib, the chief priest even allowed Tobiah to live in the temple area. By a forbidden mixed marriage they were related. Tobiah was an enemy to the work of God as the Israelites rebuilt the wall, and years later he is still an obstacle. We might compare this to placing an idol right in God's own house and at this time the priest is also evil.

Nehemiah asked, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" The temple workers that were supposed to be paid were not because people had quit giving their tithes and offerings. As had been the case previously, the Sabbath day was being violated and used as a day of commerce instead of a day if worship. Marriages with heathen had again become common place.

As I read of the covenant violations that took place back in the days of Nehemiah it sounds something like our society today. I believe many people have good intentions of being faithful to God and their church, but through the years begin to drift away. Some who say they love God and their church do not gather to worship each week, do not read and study the Bible or live according to what they claim to believe.

III. Restoration of Principles of Covenant

As God's word was again read and heard came restoration of principles of covenant. The reviewed their previous covenant, realized their present covenant violations, and restored principles of covenant.

They removed evil from the temple and cleansed the temple. They restored tithing and giving. They restored the Sabbath and regular worship. They restored the purity of marriage.

Do we want God to remember us?
    I.    Review your personal covenant with God.
   II.    Realize any weaknesses of yours, not pointing a finger at someone else.
  III.    Restore

Think about Dick and Jane. What happened?

Are we living according to God's principles or going through the motions of playing church our way rather than God's way? What happened?

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