The Law
Words of Faith 8-12-26
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2026
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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CONTEXT OF THESE DEVOTIONS: The book of Nehemiah tells the story of a leader who heard of the great need in Jerusalem and responded to God's call by rebuilding the city's walls to make it safe. Most of the people of Israel were taken away into exile in Babylon in 586 BC. This was allowed as a punishment from God because Israel had worshiped idols and had been unjust to the poor. The exile began with the terrible defeat and devastating destruction of Jerusalem. The fabulous Temple of Solomon was destroyed and looted by the Babylonians, and the city was leveled. Finally, the period of punishment ended, and groups of Jews returned to Jerusalem and began rebuilding the Temple in about 538 BC. But Jerusalem remained weak and unprotected with the walls in ruin for nearly 100 years. Nehemiah heard this and prayed earnestly. As the cupbearer for the King in Persia, who had conquered Babylon, he heard from God and obeyed.
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Nehemiah 10
[1] Those who sealed it were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hakaliah. Zedekiah, [2] Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, [3] Pashhur, Amariah, Malkijah, [4] Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluk, [5] Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,
[6] Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, [7] Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, [8] Maaziah, Bilgai and Shemaiah. These were the priests. [9] The Levites: Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel, [10] and their associates: Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, [11] Mika, Rehob, Hashabiah, [12] Zakkur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, [13] Hodiah, Bani and Beninu. [14] The leaders of the people: Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, [15] Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, [16] Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, [17] Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, [18] Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai, [19] Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai, [20] Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, [21] Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, [22] Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, [23] Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, [24] Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, [25] Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, [26] Ahiah, Hanan, Anan, [27] Malluk, Harim and Baanah.[28] "The rest of the people— priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand— [29] all these now join their brothers the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the LORD our Lord.

The first reform that the people committed to was a renewed oath to follow the Law. As New Covenant believers, we cannot help but observe the limitations of the Nehemiah revival. It did not provide the grace that would one day come through our Lord Jesus Christ. In one sense, the people's commitment only marked the beginning of a final period of religious history that would prove, once and for all, that humans are incapable of saving themselves through obedience to the law. 400 years later, Jesus would sharply address this careful adherence to the Law as missing the spirit of God's intent.

But we don’t want to miss the fact that revival does call the human soul back to holiness. Grace does that best, much better than Law. When we experience the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called back to obedience, not as a way of earning righteousness but as a thankful lifestyle in response to His righteousness imputed to us! Rather than cast aside the Law as no longer necessary under grace, we are drawn as revived souls to examine the Law and discover the order and magnificence of it. We are called once again to contemplate the deeper meaning of God's commands and what it means to live within that order and covenant.

When we are reformed in relation to the Law, we do not place ourselves once again under the yoke of legalistic bondage, but we do meditate over the meaning of these commands that proceed from the heart and mouth of God. Love the Lord your God with all that you are. And the second like it— Love neighbor as self. We rediscover the ten commands that "hang" from these (Exodus 20:3-17).

Reformation draws us to contemplate these questions again— What does it mean to have no other gods before Him? Have I created idols in my own way and at my own time? What does it mean to misuse the name of the Lord? What does it mean for me to observe a Sabbath as holy? Am I honoring my father and my mother? Have I murdered in my heart or with my tongue? Have I committed adultery in my heart? Have I stolen from others' things or reputation? Have I said a false word... or allowed a false word about another person? Have I given false testimony against my neighbor? Have I hankered after others' belongings?

The truth is that in our walk of grace, we sometimes get too far from those important questions. Grace does not negate the call to holy living; it empowers it.

Where are you in relation to the Law of God? Under grace I hope. But is there any reformation that God desires to bring about in you? Are there areas that the Lord wants to reform in you?

Lord, cause me to meditate today on the Holy ways that You have set for Your people to live. Remind me as I speak, choose, decide, and act that I am a representative of You and Your ways. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.