Chapter 10

The names of those who sealed their commitment are listed at the start of this chapter.

Vs 28 through the end of the chapter summarize the extent of their commitment.  They are going to do all that is in the law of Moses.  Obey the commandments.  They will not intermarry in any way with the peoples around them.  They will not do business on the Sabbath, not only will they not sell, but they will not buy from those who do.  Every seventh year the land will rest, and debts will be forgiven.

Taxes are discussed beginning in vs 32, as are their commitment to give the offerings - the firstfruit offerings - and to support the Levites and priests with those offerings throughout the land.

2025 - The "taxation" verse:

32 "We also take on ourselves the obligation to give yearly a third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God: [Neh 10:32 ESV].  All economic classes taxed the same amount.  No progressive taxation, no penalizing the millionaires.  I think this works just fine so long as there are enough people being taxed to cover the expenses, at an amount small enough to be paid without hardship by all.  No one should have to forego basic necessities in order to pay their taxes.  Taxes should not be a burden on the poor.  But this verse says they should not be exempt from taxes because they are poor.  All that does in encourage people to be poor.

These people are making a firm commitment - much as they did at Sinai - to be God's people. Their commitment is to hold up their end of that Sinai Covenant as individuals, and as a nation.  If they maintain this, then God will be their God, and will keep His promises also.  We know from history that they wandered off again, got distracted, and began again to do things in their rebellious, ungrateful, arrogant way.  Just like we do, all day every day.  For these, the cycle will end in 70 AD, with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the killing of their own deliverer.  The double punishment will be fulfilled, and from that time to this, no high priest, no sacrifices, no people.