Nehemiah 12 WHAT A DAY OF REJOICING! Restoration is a time of rejoicing. The conclusion of a great work for God is a time of rejoicing. To see a work accomplished by united people in spite of serious obstacles is reason for great rejoicing. But uncontrolled enthusiasm without some order creates mass confusion and chaos that can deteriorate into nothing more than a noisy riot. Nehemiah and Ezra along with other leaders brought dignity and order to a great celebration, and yet did not quench the open expressions of joy among the people of God. At first the long lists of names of the priests and Levites was complied to determine who should lead and the reason for their position in the grand parade.
In the historical context of the 100 years since the rebuilding started, there was an order developed that would remind people of the fact this was a work of long years. It is common for us to view history from our own view point, and the unfolding of events from the limitations of our own experience. True, there work of one hundred years could have been completed in a comparatively short time if it hadn't been for the fear of man, opposition and unnecessary caution due to lack of faith, but in spite of that, God had used His people to fulfill His purpose and it now was a time to rejoice in a way that would honor God. Four different lists of priests and Levites were likely made to determine who would lead in the dedication of the city that was restored, and to lead in worship at the temple.
Priests and Levites work was related to the spiritual life of the nation. That is the heart, the moral center of any people and/or in any culture. Without worship there is no meaningful reason for our existence except to make the best of a chance happening that brought us life. Without some objective that is higher than our own pleasure, life has at best only occasional experiences to offset the boredom of meaninglessness. It is important for us to value what has been passed on to us from spiritual leaders in the past. That serves to give us a perspective to our lives. Spiritual leaders in the present build on the foundations and efforts of those who have given us a legacy and a heritage of faith.
We are built upon the accomplishments of those before us, who built on that of those before them. Without such a transmission of truth and understanding, we would have no foundation for what we do in the present, and nothing to pass on to those who follow us. Many people who have been or will be affected by us, will never be known by us personally. But everyone is known by God as to who they are and what they have done, do, or will do. Knowing any influence for good and for God we can have in a positive way in their life, is enough to keep us committed to living for God.
A dedication of a completed work is a way of identifying the unique purpose for which has been done. To set apart a building, or in this case - the walls, the city and the temple for God, keeps its use clarified so the people will not expect to use it for just any reason. The place where the Lord's people gather is not used as an auction barn, a repair shop or an entertainment center - but for uses consistent with the purpose for which it was built. In the time of our Lord, He "cleansed the temple" because the Father's house was to be a house of prayer, not a place of business for "a den of thieves." David had left instructions concerning the use of the temple and how singing was to be done. A spiritual atmosphere is created when God's people come together in "the place of the name" to carry out spiritual practices consistent with the spiritual life of the assembly.
dedication of the work was a way of giving to God's people a possession for His purposes, His glory. The temple, the city and the wall were each for a different purpose - but all with a divine purpose. Each one was His and each use was important to the uses of the others. There was safety and security for God's people from the wall and the gates. There was family, and community unity maintained, and united fellowship in the city by which there was strength and common good promoted. The spiritual and moral life of the people were made more effective by the temple as a place where God's people came together to worship and praise His. There they would see beyond daily activity to the big picture of God living with His people in the past and future, and the blessing of God with them in the present.
The people came to the dedication and we learn the value of worship. Worship unites God's people. It is in worship spiritual things predominate in our minds and emotions. The future becomes real and important in light of the accomplishment of a finished work. Hope is stimulated and enthusiasm for eternal things becomes real to us as the most important objective of our lives. Full hearts and praise go together. Thanksgiving to the Lord comes as a result of true praise. Audible expressions of appreciation indicate the thoughts of our hearts toward God and toward other people. The coordinated words of praise and thanksgiving are understandable by singing in tune with others. When we say the same words at the same time in the same tone, what would have been only noise without a tune, becomes beautiful and God- honoring.
There had to be purity among the priests and Levites first before they could purify the people, and then after that they could symbolically go to the wall and the gates a carry out a purifying and dedicating act that was observed by those looking on. People would know when they walked through the gates in the wall into the city of Jerusalem, and then go on to the temple, that this was a set apart place, dedicated to God, His will, His word and His work for the blessing of His people.
Public worship at the dedication included responsive singing from two large choirs that could be heard in the city and even beyond the walls. The two choirs went up on the top of the wall singing as they went and marched around the wall in different directions until they met ear the temple in the northeast corner of the city. Ezra was at the head of one group and Nehemiah followed the other group. Once the reproach that was over the people was lifted at the completion of the wall after one hundred years since the return of the exiles began, there was reason for thanksgiving. The sounds of thanksgiving and praise was heard by the Lord's people - and by those outside who had opposed the rebuilding of God's city and house.
When God's people come together, things are to be decently and in order under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Overseers know what is appropriate for an event or a meeting of the saints. They need to plan ahead so there is no confusion nor contention when the event occurs. Joy is the result of God's work being done in the way He intends. The singers and the gatekeepers had their roles identified and they would know where they should be a what they were to do without any mix-up. Apparently, the choirs sang responsively when they met. Likely one group would sing a line of a psalm and the other group would sing the next line. The impact of such singing is very impressive to the listeners, and has the power to evoke worship from the hearers as well as the participants. Perhaps there would be a part of the singing that would join both choirs together in a climax of coordinated words that would rise higher and louder as it concluded. However, they did it, there was "great joy" among all the people of God as praise ascended to the Lord.
There where the choirs met near the temple, priests then offered sacrifices at the house of God so there was both sight and sound as the God of heaven was honored. Godly order keeps the Lord's people within the bounds of scripture, and avoids extemporaneous expressions that are merely ecstasy or fleshly emotion being expressed in confusion. "Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" have a biblical basis, and are easily understood as to the words and message being conveyed. The sounds of musical instruments did not overwhelm the words of worship the singers expressed. There are those who "make music" today but the words are obscure and hard to hear as the instruments lead the tune. What is old is not wrong when it comes to the praise and worship of God's people.
The worship, praise, thanksgiving and joy of God's people moved them to respond to the obvious needs of the temple, the priests and the Levites who served on their behalf. The response was that of giving their portion each day to meet the needs. When we give of our substance that of which "God has prospered" us, there is joy in the sacrifice of giving. It is an evidence of appreciation that, instead of being a grudging responsibility, it is a great privilege of expressing thanks for God's grace to us. Such times of holy consecration and dedication are not forgotten as we look back in our experience as children of God. What joy it gives at the present as well, and it stirs our hearts in anticipation of the great joy when God's children all gather at home with the Lord and begin to sing together in harmony our praises to the Lamb.