October 10 & 11, 2026
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Reading along with us in Nehemiah and 1 Peter? Here’s today’s reading:
Nehemiah 12 (NIV)
Priests and Levites
1 These were the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Joshua:
Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,
2 Amariah, Malluk, Hattush,…..Continue Reading
Next: Nehemiah 13
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Back: 1 Peter 4
Due to the importance of the priests and Levites, their names are recorded here. And their services certainly needed to be organized and lead. It is also fitting after such hard work, tough circumstances and opposition that they would celebrate the completion of the wall. How exciting and affirming it must have been to walk on the top on the wall. Although they did a lot of work, God was to be praised and recognized for His protection and faithfulness to them. And once the functions of the temple were in place, it was appropriate for the people to supply the needs of those who served in the temple. It is good when people give in the way God would desire.
A celebration for all the work that had been accomplished but also all the ways God’s hand was over the rebuilding of the wall. Just the way the restoration even came to happen was cleary God moving so it definitely seems fitting that there would be this day of praise and worship to thank Him. While sometimes when I read about all the different laws, cutoms, and traditions, especially during these celebrations, and I think it seems like a lot; I also recognize that our minds can easily take things for granted and become comfortable. Processes like a physical purification or a thanksgiving choir really do make you stop and look at the reason behind what the celebration is really for and where your heart and mind should be focused and think maybe I need to slow down sometimes and think about my time with God being more intentional and reverent.
Nehemiah 12
“Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off. For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chiefs of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. In the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah all Israel gave the portions for the singers and the gatekeepers, a portion for each day. They also consecrated holy things for the Levites, and the Levites consecrated them for the children of Aaron.”
Nehemiah 12:43, 46-47 NKJV
Psalm 35; Nehemiah 12
Nehemiah 12