The service for dedicating the wall

Nehemiah 12:27-47

Dedication of the Wall of Jerusalem

²⁷ At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. ²⁸ The singers also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem—from the villages of the Netophathites, ²⁹ from Beth Gilgal, and from the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. ³⁰ When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall.

³¹ I had the leaders of Judah go up on top ^[a] of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks. One was to proceed on top ^[b] of the wall to the right, toward the Dung Gate. ³² Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah followed them, ³³ along with Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, ³⁴ Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, ³⁵ as well as some priests with trumpets, and also Zechariah son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph, ³⁶ and his associates—Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah and Hanani—with musical instruments prescribed by David the man of God. Ezra the scribe led the procession. ³⁷ At the Fountain Gate they continued directly up the steps of the City of David on the ascent to the wall and passed above the house of David to the Water Gate on the east.

³⁸ The second choir proceeded in the opposite direction. I followed them on top ^[c] of the wall, together with half the people—past the Tower of the Ovens to the Broad Wall, ³⁹ over the Gate of Ephraim, the Jeshanah ^[d] Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate. At the Gate of the Guard they stopped.

⁴⁰ The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials, ⁴¹ as well as the priests—Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah with their trumpets- ⁴² and also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malkijah, Elam and Ezer. The choirs sang under the direction of Jezrahiah. ⁴³ And 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.

⁴⁴ At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes. From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites. ⁴⁵ They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did also the singers and gatekeepers, according to the commands of David and his son Solomon. ⁴⁶ For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. ⁴⁷ So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the singers and gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.

1. Core Message:
1. Content:
1. Dedication of the wall of Jerusalem (v.27-43)
2. The act of offering a gift (v.44-47)
2. Theme: The service for dedicating the wall

2. Who are God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit?
1. God who gives joy to man (v.43)
2. God who gives orders (v.45)
3. God worthy of praise and thanksgiving (v.46)
3. What is God teaching us (commands, promises, models, rebukes, and warnings)?
1. The dedication of the wall

²⁷ At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. ²⁸ The singers also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem—from the villages of the Netophathites, ²⁹ from Beth Gilgal, and from the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. (v.27-29) ³¹ I had the leaders of Judah go up on top ^[a] of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks. (v.31a) When the wall was built, the Israelites held a ceremony in reverence. All the people in the vicinity of Jerusalem attended the service of purification. The people were divided into two groups, one led by Ezra, the other by Nehemiah, altogether to enact the purification service. Both groups proceeded in opposite directions towards the wall, circulated around the city of Jerusalem while praising and thanking the Lord joyfully.

Reflection: What significance do the different ceremonies and thanksgiving services at church represent to me? Do they move me in any way? Am I particularly joyous? Or, rather, do I feel indifferent about the rituals and even more so, find them a waste of time?

2. Service of purification

When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall. (v.30) Because God is Holy, one must be purified before serving Him. When the service of dedication of the wall was in process, the priests and Levites were holding a service of purification for the people and the wall. This act is important and is pleasing to God.

Reflection: When I am serving, do I bear this kind of attitude? Do I purify myself by admitting to my sins?

3. A joyful atmosphere

And 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. (v.43) When the parade of people entered the Holy Temple, a joyous atmosphere was sparked. The people offered many sacrifices, the priests sang songs. Even the women and the children participated. The Lord’s temple was full of joyful sounds. The Lord brought them great joy. The joyful sounds could be heard even far away. Everyone was praising, everyone was joyful. It was a memorable occurrence in Jerusalem. All shame was wiped away. All pain disappeared. Sighs of sorrow were replaced with thanksgiving and praise!

Reflection: When I attend worship services, am I or am I not full of joy?

4. The act of offering

At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes. From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites. (v.44) Throughout the procession, all Israelites were fully willing to tithe one tenth of their wealth and contribute to the temple according to the law. The Levites were also faithful to guarding the storehouses. The temple’s supply was endless. The holy city was filled with a joyous atmosphere.

Reflection: Do I contribute a tenth of my belongings for the church’s (the house of the Lord) needs, for the application of the law, and to live out a life of faith?

5. Full attendance of the ceremony

And 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. (v.43)

Reflection: Are worships services and rituals at church only attended by representatives of each family? Or is it attended by men, women, elderly people, and young children?

6. Proper management of wealth

⁴⁴ At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes. From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites. (v. 44) The wealth of the church is not to be taken lightly to ensure proper enrolment of church services. Thus, Nehemiah set-up a storehouse to have people manage the wealth properly.

Reflection: Is the wealth at church managed properly? Are the managers chosen with proper consideration?

7. Being a responsible and well-respected steward

When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall. (v.30) From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites. ⁴⁵ They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did also the singers and gatekeepers (v. 44b-45a) Judah and all inhabitants were pleased with the priests and the Levites because they followed God’s orders of holding the ceremony and purification service. Clearly, faithful servants before the Lord are not only remembered by God but also well-respected by man.

Reflection: Am I faithful to my duties before God?

4. Practical Application