The wall of Jerusalem is finished!

The wall of Jerusalem is finished!

The dedication of the wall

The dedication of the wall

They built the wall with fear and trembling, they dedicated the wall with joy and triumph. Matthew Henry At the risk of sounding like a broken record let s remember that this was a very difficult period of Israel s history. Why was it? Throughout the book we ve seen multiple enemies opposing the rebuilding and repopulating of Jerusalem. We ve seen the situation in Jerusalem itself (7:4). And we ve seen the struggles of the returned exiles (9:36-37).

At the risk of sounding like a broken record let s remember that this was a very difficult period of Israel s history. Why was it? We ve seen the people struggling once again to remain the distinct people of God in a pagan culture (and we ll see it again in the next chapter). We ve seen the tense 52 day rush (with armed guards stationed along the walls 24/7) to rebuild the walls and gates to provide protection. And we ve seen discouragement coming even from among the Jews themselves. It just feels like there is a lot against God s people yet here they are rejoicing. How can they? (hint: think Ps. 2 & John 16:33)

Nehemiah ch. 12 what s going on? Two things, basically: 1. v. 1-26 The record of the Priests and Levites since the time of Zerubbabel (i.e., the first wave of returned exiles, approx. 538 BC). 2. v. 27-47 The ceremonial dedication of the wall of Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah (approx. 445 BC). Another list of names again! and another gathering of the people we ve seen that before too. Couldn t they have done it all at once?? Well, the author thought it was important to record this and so did the Holy Spirit. Let s get into the text

The record of the Priests and Levites v. 1-26 A few observations... Notice v. 1-9 these are Priests and Levites who returned from exile approx. 100 years before Ezra and Nehemiah. This is not like the list in ch. 3 of the workers and not like the list in ch. 7 of the returned exiles. This is only Priests and Levites. Why? And notice, too, the wording in v. 7, 8, 12, 22, 23,24 chiefs in charge heads, etc., etc. This is not a list of all the Priests and Levites from Zerubbabel to Nehemiah, only the chiefs, the heads, the ones with the most responsibility.

The record of the Priests and Levites v. 1-26 A few observations... v. 10-11 are important here. Any guesses why? Those 2 verses list the High Priests who served from the time of Zerubbabel through (and likely a little beyond) the time of Ezra/Nehemiah. Notice they all say, the father of There are six High Priests named here, beginning with Jeshua (Joshua in Hag. 1:12-14 & Zech.3:1-10). These 6 High Priests are the focal point of what the author wrote in v. 1-26 see v. 7, 12, 22, 23, 26 in the days of He doesn t structure his narrative by year, but by service of a High Priest. Here s how the text looks:

A quick aside here: What was a High Priest supposed to do? Take a look at Heb. 5:1-4 Chosen from among men v. 1 Appointed v. 1 To act on behalf of men v. 1 in relation to God v. 1 To offer gifts and sacrifices for sins v. 1 Deal gently with the ignorant and wayward v. 2 To offer sacrifice for his own sins v. 3 To take no honor for himself v. 4 Jesus fulfilled all of these qualifications perfectly (Heb. 5:5-10), with one exception: He had no need to offer sacrifice for Himself (Heb. 7:26-28).

The record of the Priests and Levites v. 1-26 A few observations... So we know from Heb. 7:28 and from history, and from our knowledge of the human heart that none of those six High Priests in v. 10-11 were perfect. God provided shepherds for His people they were never perfect, often failing in many ways, often inconsistent (we ll see that again in ch. 13) but they all pointed to the One, great, Good, Chief Shepherd. See Heb. 7:23-25. And notice this too: they all served for a short time; any ministry effort is short. So do this: pray for the next generation of godly leaders.

The record of the Priests and Levites v. 1-26 Why the emphasis on the High Priests? Well, think about this: See 1 Chron. 6:3-15. Even the High Priests were affected by sin and its consequences, and were sent into exile just like the line of David see 1 Chron. 3:1-24, esp. v. 17. David s line was preserved even in the captivity, because God had made a promise that David would have an enduring house, and through David s line God s kingdom would be eternally established (1 Chron. 17:10-14).

The record of the Priests and Levites v. 1-26 Why the emphasis on the High Priests and the line of David? Well, think about this: The point? God s grace is not nullified by human disobedience. (Note: be really, REALLY thankful for that.) God preserved the priesthood and the line of David through the captivity because Christ would come from the line of David by God s promise and the priesthood would continue, however imperfectly, to be examples of the shepherding heart of God and of the necessity and means of forgiveness of sin.

The dedication of the wall of Jerusalem v. 27-47 So on to the dedication of the wall! Don t forget: Life is hard 9:36-37 is the dominant social and economic situation; and most of those around them are not happy that the Jews are increasing. The gathering and preparation of the priests and Levites for the dedication of the wall v. 27-30 Many of the Levites had settled in villages around Jerusalem to be near the temple those who planned the dedication ceremony called all the Levites to come to Jerusalem. They followed the pattern of Solomon at his dedication of the first temple in the mid-900 s BC.

The gathering and preparation of the priests and Levites for the dedication of the wall v. 27-30 The Levites were called to celebrate the dedication of the wall with four things: with gladness with thanksgivings with singing with musical instruments All of those are what? A response to God: for His faithfulness to His promises 1:8-9; 4:14 His sovereign providence 2:8, 18; 7:5 His protection of the workers 2:20; 4:20 His joy that sustained the workers 6:16; 8:10

The gathering and preparation of the priests and Levites for the dedication of the wall v. 27-30 They saw the work of God on their behalf and the leaders knew that the right response was joy, thanksgiving, and worship. How can you have joy, thanksgiving, and worship in difficult circumstances? You remember the character of God Ps. 13 You have a deep contentment that God is the Lord of all mankind Ps. 11 You trust that He is sovereign and powerful Ps. 118:14-16 You rest in His gracious, kind, and tender love Eph. 1:3-14

The gathering and preparation of the priests and Levites for the dedication of the wall v. 27-30 After they gathered all of the priests and Levites they did something that seems strange and foreign to us today: they purified themselves the people and the gates and the wall v. 30. What is that?? Let s look at a couple of things First, take a look at 2 Chron. 29:3-19 the account of the purification of Solomon s temple under King Hezekiah. The whole process took two weeks what took them so long? The place wasn t that big couldn t they just sweep it out?

The gathering and preparation of the priests and Levites for the dedication of the wall v. 27-30 Well think about this: Leviticus 20:26 is the key verse for the book what is it saying? God s people are to be distinct Israel was to mirror in life what God had done in creation: separating light from darkness, land from water, man from animals, etc. These purification rituals were not just showy religion it was living out in a very graphic way Leviticus 20:26; see also Num. 8:5-13. It showed exclusivity: no other gods; humility: submission to God; and fidelity: one devotion.

The joyful praise to God at the dedication of the wall v. 31-43 Think of the beauty and pageantry of this procession by two great choirs along the top of Jerusalem s walls it must have been an incredible sight not only to see, but to hear, as they marched around, opposite the other, singing majestic Psalms. I like to think that maybe they sang Psalm 48, but there s no way of knowing for sure. The two great choirs met at the temple. They gave thanks, they sang, they rejoiced, they sacrificed and the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away, because it was His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation the city of the great King once again.

The joyful praise to God at the dedication of the wall v. 31-43 Derek Kidner makes an interesting observation on the wording of v. 31, 38 & 40: Strikingly enough, the expression the companies which gave thanks (v. 31), and the similar phrases in v. 38 & 40, translate a single Hebrew word that means thanksgivings or confessions, almost as though these choirs were the embodiment of what they sang. So one thanksgiving went to the right (v. 31), the other to the left (v. 38), and eventually both thanksgivings stood in the house of God (v. 40). And remember: these people had built this wall. Every inch of these ramparts had its special memory for one group or another. Kidner

The joyful praise to God at the dedication of the wall v. 31-43 Notice that what was heard far away was their joy: the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away. Look back at Ezra 3:10-13, the last time others heard sound from within Jerusalem. Look more closely at four things in v. 43 1. And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced The response of joy: obedience to the law of God was intended to be a delightful, joy-producing thing Ps. 1:2; 119:35, 47, 92, 174.

The joyful praise to God at the dedication of the wall v. 31-43 Look more closely at four things in v. 43 2. for God had made them rejoice with great joy The source of joy: there is great joy in the heart of God, and He wills that His people know His joy John 15:11, 17:13. 3. the women and children also rejoiced. The community of joy: no one was left out of the joy of the Lord that day; the author of the account makes special note of the fact that the entire community of the returned exiles was filled with joy. An interesting note from the old Expositor s Bible about the women and children:

They must have been among the most pitiable sufferers in the previous calamities, and they had taken their place in the great Ecclesia when The Law was read, and again when the sad confession of the nation s sin was poured forth. It was well that they should not be left out of the later scene, when joy and praise filled the stage. For children especially who would not covet this gladness in religion? It is only a miserable short-sightedness that allows any one to put before children ideas of God and spiritual things which must repel, because of their gloom and sternness. Let us reserve these ideas for the castigation of Pharisees.

The joyful praise to God at the dedication of the wall v. 31-43 Look more closely at four things in v. 43 4. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away. The result of joy: it was a testimony to those around them of the power, faithfulness, and love of God, and the delight of being His people. The grateful soul will always have most ground for a renewal of gratitude the true spirit of praise will delight to pour itself out in adoration of the great and good Father of all blessings. It is a sign of sin or selfishness or unbelief when the element of praise fails in our worship. Expositor s Bible

The joy over those who ministered at the dedication of the wall v. 44-47 Why did the people of Judah rejoice (v. 44)? Because this was what life was supposed to be like for the Jews: obedience, worship, sacrifice, service, delight. The priests and Levites performed the service of their God according to the command of David and his son Solomon (v. 45). Just like the priests and Levites had done long ago in the days of David and Asaph (v. 46), nearly 600 years prior. The people of God were worshipping again.

Genuine worship is the supreme sacrifice a Christian can offer to Christ. There is a time for ministering to the poor, the sick, the naked, and the imprisoned. There is a time for witnessing to the lost and seeking to lead them to the Savior. There is a time for discipling new believers and helping them grow in the faith. There is a time for careful study and teaching of God s Word. But above all else that the Lord requires of His people is their true worship, without which everything else they may do in His name is empty and powerless. John MacArthur