Nehemiah 9:1-8
The Greatness of God
Nehemiah 9:9-25
The Goodness of God When They Didn’t Deserve it
Nehemiah 9:26-31
The Results of Rebellion
Nehemiah 9:32-39
Slaves in Their Own Land
Nehemiah 10:1-31
The Agreement of The People
Nehemiah 10:32-39
Importance of Giving The First Fruits to God
Nehemiah 11:1-19
People Asked to Move Inside The City
Nehemiah 11:20-36
The Israelites Who Lived Outside The City
Nehemiah 12:1-26
Priests And Levites Serving in The Temple
Nehemiah 12:27-47
Nehemiah Dedicates The Wall
Nehemiah Dedicates The Wall
Nehemiah 12:27–47
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Each believer stands on one side or the other of dedication. Either we have made this lifelong commitment or we have not. Either we have faced the issue of who is to be the master of our lives or we have been plucking up one side at a time. (Charles Ryrie, Balancing The Christian … More
The Jews were accustomed to having workers and watchers on the walls of Jerusalem, but now Nehemiah and Ezra assigned people to be worshipers on the walls. They conducted a dedication service with such enthusiasm that their shouts and songs were heard “afar off” (v. 43). Note that the emphasis was on joyful praise on the part of all the people. Singing is mentioned eight times in this chapter, thanksgiving six times, rejoicing seven times, and musical instruments three times. Thankfulness is always part of true celebration. These people were thankful.
The order for the dedication service was unique. The leaders and singers were divided into two groups, with Ezra leading one group and Nehemiah (following the choir) directing the second group. Why did Ezra and Nehemiah organize this special kind of a dedication service? Why not just meet at the temple area, let the Levites sing and offer sacrifices to the Lord, and send everybody home? To begin with, it was the walls and gates that were being dedicated; and it was only right that the people see and touch them. But there is another reason for this unique service: The people were bearing witness to the watching world that God had done the work, and He alone should be glorified. The enemy had said that the walls would be so weak that a fox could knock them down (4:3), but here were the people marching on the walls! What a testimony to the unbelieving Gentiles of the power of God
But the most important thing about this dedication service was not the march around the walls. It was the expression of joyful praise that came from the people. They offered their praise thankfully (vv. 27, 31, 38, 46), joyfully (vv. 27, 43-44), and loudly (vv. 42-43), accompanied by various instruments (vv. 27, 35-36). It was not a time for a quiet and meditative worship. It was a time for “pulling out all the stops” and praising the Lord enthusiastically.
Application
Lord, help me to be a person who praises you with joyful enthusiasm like the people did here.
Nehemiah 12:27-47 (English Standard Version)
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