Nehemiah 12:27-38, 43

REASON FOR PRAISE

Call to Worship (Isaiah 5, Psalm 80, Hebrews 11, Luke 12)

God of the ages, we sing your praisesin the vineyards of our lives.Tend the garden of our love.

Where we have become ragged and wild,prune us in the way we should grow.

Nurture the soil of our hope.Let your hand be upon us, leading us to Jesus,

the perfecter of our faith.Heal the roots of our faith.

Bring us rain in drought, shade in scorching heat,and protection in the wilderness.

Protect the growth of our spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayer (Isaiah 5, Hebrews 11, Luke 12))

Lord of the vineyard,we ask for your presence

and your guidance.In your holy wisdom,

tend the vines of our hearts.Teach us your righteousness,

that our lives may flower with justice.We come as wild grapes,

yearning to grow fruitful in your love.Show us the way, through Jesus your Son,

to discern your will, hear your word,and grow in your ways,

as we deepen the roots of our faith.

Nehemiah 12:27-38, 43

The first part of the book of Nehemiah describes the rebuilding of the walls and gates of Jerusalem. This was completed.

Chapter 12 lists the priests and Levites who had returned to their homeland and now will participate in this joyful occasion.

Likely both the Levites and the priests who lived outside Jerusalem were assigned a normal rotation of duties in the

temple. On this special occasion, however, additional arrangements

were made.

Nehemiah 12:27-30

Dedication PreparationFor years the Levites had been assisting the priests in serving at

the Lord’s temple. They purified the sacred things and performed other duties (1 Chronicles 23:28-31).

Providing music was an important part of their service. Singers from the area were selected for this occasion (Nehemiah

12:28). In addition, the music of cymbals, harps, and lyres were included. (1 Chronicles 15:16; 25:1 for what was done in King

David’s time.)

Nehemiah 12:27-30

The event was celebrated with great vocal and instrumental music.

James E. Smith notes, “Purification rituals were performed both for these Levites and for the wall and its gates. On the analogy of 2 Chronicles 29:29, this probably was done by offering sin

offerings and burnt offerings.” All of this led up to the central part of the service—a procession

of two bands of singers upon the wall (Nehemiah 12:31-42).

Nehemiah 12:27

Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to

celebrate the dedication with rejoicing, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres.

Nehemiah 12:27

It took Nehemiah and those working with him 52 days to complete the rebuilding of the walls and gates around Jerusalem.

Then, they planned a celebration involving praise and thanksgiving to God. They called the Levites, singers, and musicians from surrounding towns to lead the people in

dedicating the wall to God. They knew that ultimately their protection depended on God, and they rejoiced in that knowledge and wanted to thank God

for His many gifts to them.

Nehemiah 12:27

The ceremony had been deferred from a year to the space of nearly 12 years Nehemiah 13:6.

Perhaps Nehemiah required an express permission from the Persian king before he could conduct such a ceremony which

might have been liable to misrepresentation.

Nehemiah 12:28

The companies of the singers gathered together from the circuit around Jerusalem and from the villages of the

Netophathites;

Nehemiah 12:28

Nehemiah the governor and Ezra the scribe (who was a Levite) organized and led the service of dedication. Netophathites lived

in the town named Netophah. Two of King David’s warrior heroes were born in Netophah (2 Samuel 23:28, 29). Levites and singers also dwelt there. The “circuit” probably refers to the singers who were assigned to

sing and lead the singing during different times of the year by a system of rotation.

Nehemiah 12:28

The dedication consisted in a solemn ceremonial, in which the leading authorities, accompanied by the Levitical singers,

summoned from all parts of the country, and by a vast concourse of people, marched in imposing procession round the city walls, and, pausing at intervals to engage in united praises, prayer, and sacrifices, supplicated the continued presence, favor, and blessing of God on "the holy city."

Nehemiah 12:29

also from Beth-Gilgal and from the region of Geba and Azmaveth; for the singers had built for themselves villages

around Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 12:29

Nehemiah continued to list the Levitical villages around Jerusalem where the singers lived. These singers may have also played instruments; however, groups of worship leaders played

instruments. Nehemiah and Ezra wanted to emphasize that all the worship

leaders were called in to lead all of the people in praising God. Beth-Gilgal, a village erected where the Israelites encamped

after they had crossed the Jordan. Deut. 11:30; Josh 5:9; Josh 10:43

Nehemiah 12:30

And the priests and the Levites purified themselves; and they purified the people and the gates and the wall.

Nehemiah 12:30

The priests and the Levites (who assisted in leading the service of dedication), and the people were all purified or ceremonially

cleansed so they could worship God in holiness. They purified themselves by repenting and ceasing to disobey

the law of God. They resolved to obey God in everything. The gates and the wall were also purified by the priests. They dedicated their temple, and their city with its walls to serve

God, and they dedicated themselves to live godly lives.

Nehemiah 12:30

The Book of the Law specified how the priests were to sprinkle themselves, others, and objects to purify them ceremonially to

worship God. By washing their bodies and their clothes, perhaps by sprinkling

the water of purification on them as in Numbers 8:6.

Nehemiah 12:31-38

Dedication Participation

The starting point for the two groups is not named, but many Bible scholars think that it was likely the Valley Gate. It faced

west and overlooked the Central Valley next to the City of David (the oldest section of Jerusalem).

Nehemiah 12:31-38

The “main attraction” of the day was the walking along the walls. The leaders and musicians were divided into two groups to give thanks—one going with Ezra, the other with Nehemiah.

The participants started in opposite directions around the circuit of the wall (12:31-42).

The wall was wide enough for people to walk on it easily. (It was at least nine feet in width, according to one archaeologist.)

Nehemiah 12:31-38

Keith Schoville calls the processions “a celebration of the completed work and as such a stimulus to thanksgiving and a

means of commitment, dedication, of the whole to God. The chanting of such psalms as 48 (especially vv. 13-14) and 147 would have provided an appropriate accompaniment.”

Nehemiah 12:31-38

Many of the distinguished group of priests and Levites who led in this service are named in the text. These worship leaders were accompanied by Ezra, who led one procession, and by

Nehemiah, who accompanied the other group walking at the rear. (“I followed them on top of the wall.”)

Nehemiah 12:31-38

The priests specifically are named as those who blew the trumpets (note also Ezra 3:10). These trumpets are not shofars

(ram’s horns) but metal instruments (Numbers 10:8; 31:6; 1 Chronicles 15:24; 16:6.)

The expression musical instruments prescribed by David the man of God may include other instruments in addition to those

listed above (Nehemiah 12:27). Some that might have been included are the flute (1 Kings 1:40; Isaiah 30:29) and timbrel or

tambourine (Psalm 81:2; 149:3; 150:4).

Nehemiah 12:31

Then I brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall, and appointed two great companies that gave thanks and went in

procession. One went to the right on the wall to the Dung Gate;

Nehemiah 12:31

The narrative continued in the first person as recorded by Ezra, who many believe wrote the Book of Ezra and the Book of Nehemiah. Ezra recorded what Nehemiah said and wrote.

This service was well organized and not simply a spontaneous service of thanksgiving.

Having dedicated and purified themselves, the worshipers walked completely around the wall that surrounded Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 12:31

Jewish records indicate that the Sanhedrim made sacrificial loafs and at every corner in Jerusalem, and say, I will extol thee,

for thou hast lifted up (Ps 30:1) until they come to the end of the place they consecrate, there they stand and eat the

thanksgiving loaf, one of the two, and the other is burnt.'

Nehemiah 12:31

(Ps 30:1)I will exalt You, LORD, because You have lifted me up and have

not allowed my enemies to triumph over me.

Nehemiah 12:32-36

and after them went Hoshaiah and half the officials of Judah, and Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, and

Jeremiah, and some of the young priests with trumpets: Zechariah son of Jonathan son of Shemaiah son of Mattaniah son of Micaiah son of Zaccur son of Asaph; and his kindred,

Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God;

and the scribe Ezra went in front of them.

Nehemiah 12:32-36

Ezra led this group of leaders. Instruments of the type that King David would have used, such as the harp that he played when he sang Psalms, were used in addition to the types of instruments used during the time of

David, such as cymbals and lyres.

Nehemiah 12:37

At the Fountain Gate, in front of them, they went straight up by the stairs of the city of David, at the ascent of the wall, above

the house of David, to the Water Gate on the east.

Nehemiah 12:37

They walked where King David had walked when he was King, and as they walked they dedicated every gate and every set of stairs that led up to the top of the wall where defenders would

stand guard and fight. The stairs of the city of David are undoubtedly "the stairs that lead down from the city of David" (Nehemiah 3:15). These lay on the eastern slope of Zion, above the fountain-gate and the

Pool of Siloam.

Nehemiah 12:38

The other company of those who gave thanks went to the left, and I followed them with half of the people on the wall, above

the Tower of the Ovens, to the Broad Wall,

Nehemiah 12:38

The Book of Nehemiah recorded how the other group marched around the wall and the gates they dedicated to the Lord.

Both groups thanked God for moving the king of Persia to give them permission to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. They also thanked God for protecting them from their enemies while they

rebuilt the city wall and gates. Of all these places, we are not sure: it might have been a place

designed for a public promenade, or a parade for assembling the troops or guard of the temple. What it was perished with the fall

of the Temple in 70 a.d.

Nehemiah 12:43

Dedication Praise The dedication service included great sacrifices as well. While special

sacrifices were not required at such a ceremony, they were nonetheless generously given.

The apostle Paul commended the Macedonian Christians for their generous giving, even when they were actually quite poor (2 Corinthians 8). The apostle explained that “they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will” (v. 5). The people of Israel did the

same.

Nehemiah 12:43

Ezra had led them in a time of repentance and rededication. Nehemiah had led them in restoring the temple and the Jerusalem wall.

Their generosity confirmed their dedication. As at the earlier celebration (Ezra 3:13; 6:16), the songs and shouts of joyous praise were loud. The rejoicing of

the thankful crowd could be heard far away.The spirit of such an occasion was caught by the psalmist when he wrote,

“Your procession has come into view, O God, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary. In front are the singers, after them the musicians . . . . Praise God in the great congregation; praise the Lord in the assembly of Israel”

(Psalm 68:24-26).

Nehemiah 12:43

They offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also

rejoiced. The joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.

Nehemiah 12:43

When the people dedicated the temple as the Book of Ezra described, the people both rejoiced and wept. Here, when they dedicated the rebuilt wall and gates the people only rejoiced. “God made them rejoice with great joy” does not mean that

they did not want to rejoice or that God manipulated to them to make them rejoice.

Nehemiah 12:43

Rather, God energized and strengthened their desire to rejoice so they rejoiced beyond their human abilities and rejoiced in the strength that God gave them: men, women, and children

rejoiced. People can pray that God will increase their ability to worship and their spirit of rejoicing, especially when they rejoice with thanksgiving to God for His many blessings upon others and

themselves.

Nehemiah 12:43

While the priests blew the trumpets, and the singers sung and played on their instruments, the women and children gave loud

shouts for joy. God sets up the situations and conditions for us to participate

in. In Ezra's case, the return from captivity to lay the foundations of the Temple and in Nehemiah's, to rebuild the

walls. We have the choice to be joyful or sad in any given situation.

Conclusion

Today, we have more reason to do so, since Jesus has been raised from the dead and is now reigning at God’s right hand. The Jews of Nehemiah’s day celebrated a rebuilt wall; we can celebrate the fact that Jesus tore down a wall, “the dividing

wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14-18). We should look for ways to celebrate in Christ. Earthly

celebrations in Christ can spur us to greater tasks of faith as we look forward to the great celebration by God of the new

Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2, 9). That celebration will never end.

Lessons

We should take every opportunity to proclaim the blessings of God (Neh. 12:27-29)

God desires personal purity before any participation in a work for Him (12:30;cf. chaps. 8-10)

God gives those who labor for Him abundant reason for thanks (12:31)

Lessons

God's work is usually accomplished by a variety of God's faithful people (vs. 32-36)

There is room and time for everyone when it comes to celebrating God (vs. 38)

Genuine, God-given joy can be a powerful witness to the world around us (vs. 43)

Blessing

Go into the world,singing His love-song in the vineyard of life.

Remember the Gardner who nurtures your faithand provides for your needs.

Grow into the promise of Christ,secure in the knowledge that you are loved.

Amen.