Nehemiah Chapter 12
Please read: Nehemiah 12 –
Much like when the temple was finished there was great rejoicing and spiritual revival; it was the same when the wall was finished. In fact, in this chapter the whole procession is called the dedication of the wall in verse 27. Who were they dedicating the wall to? They were dedicating it to God with hearts of thankfulness. It was a symbol of the people dedicating themselves to their God.
The participants in this great celebration included men, women, children, Levites, priests, and family leaders. This was a great planned event where everyone was invited to come together to worship what God had done in their lives. They had much to celebrate. They were no longer captives, they were home.
This celebration did not just take place in a crowded room or in one space outdoors, but it was a moving celebration and dedication. Nehemiah describes dividing the singers into two choirs. Half of the choir and half of the people went north and the others went south. The instruments that played and the singing of celebration were so loud with their praises that the Bible says, “the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.”
Let's Reflect
1. It is important to think about who was involved in this celebration because there had been great opposition to the project. Sometimes opposition can cause people to become more unified in purpose. Such was the case for the people of Israel. Verses 1-26 establishes the unity of the leadership of the people. Once again, they were seeking to do things God’s way. Their spiritual leadership had to come from the Levites, as before. Those who served as high priests would come from the descendants of Aaron. We now see the importance of these genealogies being kept that were recorded in the books of Kings and Chronicles. Despite 70 years of being held captive in a foreign country, they were able to reestablish their spiritual leadership because of the meticulous genealogical records. The leadership followed much of the order that was set up by an ancestor who served as the king of Israel. Who was that king? See verse 24.
2. One of the main groups they wanted to be present for the dedication of the wall was what group? See verse 27.
3. In verse 27, what would you say is the key word that marked the heart of the people at this time?
4. According to verse 36, who led half of the choir procession in the direction of south?
5. Nehemiah led the other half and they went north. Does it sound to you like they walked on the ground outside the wall or on top of the wall?
6. Where did the two choirs meet and continued to give thanks to the LORD?
7. According to verse 44 what other important things happened on the same day as the dedication?
