July 1, 2023
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Reading along with us in Nehemiah? 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
So fitting to celebrate and dedicate the wall after such a huge task was accomplished and more importantly the praise was sung to God the reason it was all possible!
The dedication of the wall of Jerusalem was a very joyous time for the leaders and the people as well. Even if the Temple and walls were not as glamorous as they once were, it still represents a return to normalcy on some level. The priests and Levites restored ceremonial cleanliness for themselves and the people to begin the celebration of praise and thanksgiving for God’s grace and faithfulness.
Reflecting on the elaborate steps Nehemiah went through to worship the Lord. It makes me think that this is the kind of worship lifestyle God wants me to engage in – proactive, intentional, elaborate, extravagant..
In the dedication of the wall in Jerusalem all the Levites were sought out of all their places. They were to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps. [ Nehemiah 12;1,2] Reading this passage you can see the detail and organization which each thing. Who the people are; what they are doing, and where they are preceding and with whom. It also states that Ezra led the one of the groups.[ verse 36] Also the singers had gathered themselves together from around the nearby villages. This was a time of much rejoicing, and offering great sacrifices. All the people rejoiced including women, and children. Nehemiah in his book says that Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the gatekeepers, every day his portion, and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron. [ Nehemiah 12;47 ] That must had been amazing to be there taking part in the celebration. Great is Thy Faithfulness. May the Lord bless each and everyone who is called by His name.
Done.
How joyous it is to sit back at the end of any project with a measure of satisfaction and thanksgiving for what has been accomplished. How much greater is it here, when the project was so significant and was accomplished under opposition, and God guided and provided at every point. I have been struck over the last few chapters how singers and gatekeepers were so important and how incredible it is to imagine how they were orchestrated here. How telling that the praise of God could be heard far away. It reminds me of the victory won by Jehoshaphat where singers were sent out and the praise of God won the battle more than the military. The enemy hates when God and His people accomplish great tasks. But how joyous it is for us to see how God works and to join Him to see His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Nehemiah 13
Nehemiah 12
Two thanksgiving choirs singing loudly! 😀 Wouldn’t it be awesome to witness?!
…..As the town was repopulated, I found it interesting how “the musicians” were mentioned in their own category and how much they were mentioned in the joy and rejoicing of the celebration after the completion of the wall and re-establishment of the city……with musical instruments prescribed by David the man of God. Ezra the teacher of the Law led the procession.
…….. 38The second choir proceeded in the opposite direction. I followed them on top of the wall, together with half the people—…….40The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials,……The choirs sang under the direction of Jezrahiah. 43And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away……..They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did also the musicians and gatekeepers, according to the commands of David and his son Solomon. 46For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. 47So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers.
There was much rejoicing because the wall was finally complete, so they celebrated with music, singing and sacrifice to the One true God. They were very joyful for following through with such a great accomplishment and they praised God for making it happen. Let us never forget to praise and thank God for making great things come to pass in our lives.
Amen, Shelly!