Nehemiah 12.27-42 l DEDICATING THE WALLS

Today’s reading: Nehemiah 11.01-12.47

Nehemiah 12.27 “27 Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they might celebrate the dedication w/gladness, w/hymns of thanksgiving & w/songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps & lyres.”

In today’s reading, Nehemiah records the list of all who moved to inhabit Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11.01-18) and those who stayed outside Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11.19-36). We then see the lists of priests (Kohanim) and Levites (Nehemiah 12.01-30), as well as the procedures of the Temple (Nehemiah 12.31-47).

There were many people trying to find as many Levites as they can to gather together so they can dedicate the wall and praise Him for what He just did in the rebuilding of the wall.

The singers assembled in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 12.28-29) and all the people, including the priests & Levites purify themselves (Nehemiah 12.30).

Nehemiah then has all the leaders of Judah (Nehemiah 12.31) them to all go on top of the wall! This tells us that this wall was big, wide as well as strong! It also tells us that they had great faith! Faith is obeying in spite of the consequence (2Corinthians 05.07).

Having the leaders of Judah up on the wall was also is a nice rebuke to what Tobiah said in Nehemiah 04.03

Nehemiah divided up the leaders and the singers into two groups, with Ezra leading one group and Nehemiah directing the other in Nehemiah 12.31-42.

They started out slowly from the Valley Gate, and then they went in opposite directions where they met up at the Temple Area (Nehemiah 12.43-47).

Once they got to the Temple area, they offered sacrifices and rejoiced greatly!

The walls were now dedicated back to God.