Nehemiah 12:27-43
"And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away."
(NEHEMIAH 12:43)
Over many years of ministry, I've enjoyed celebrations. Our church in Oakland held a huge anniversary party even though the streets were flooded after a storm; we joined in on the memorable anniversary festivities at our former church in Rockford; on Okinawa when we turned off the transmitter for the final time with the Far East Broadcasting Company, a grand celebration was in order to rejoice in God's blessings and changed lives over 25 years of service.
The practice of celebrating God's goodness was made known to us throughout the Bible with His chosen people. Years after Nebuchadnezzar's army destroyed Jerusalem and left its walls in ruin, Nehemiah arrived. Finding not only broken down walls, but also broken lives, he rallied the people to listen as Ezra read God's Word aloud. They realized their sinfulness, repented, changed their behavior and reassembled to rebuild the walls and their lives. They celebrated God! In our brokenness, God calls to us, offers Himself afresh and rebuilds our lives as He did for the Israelites.
INSIGHT
WHEN YOU READ SCRIPTURE AND ARE REMINDED OF GOD'S GOODNESS THROUGHOUT HISTORY, LET YOUR HEART AND MOUTH CELEBRATE ALL HE HAS DONE FOR YOU.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
1 Chronicles 26-27
Psalm 6
Matthew 8-9
Nehemiah 12:27-43
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
Dedication of the Wall of Jerusalem
27 At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. 28 The singers also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem—from the villages of the Netophathites, 29 from Beth Gilgal, and from the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. 30 When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall.
31 I had the leaders of Judah go up on top[a] of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks. One was to proceed on top[b] of the wall to the right, toward the Dung Gate. 32 Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah followed them, 33 along with Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 34 Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, 35 as well as some priests with trumpets, and also Zechariah son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph, 36 and his associates—Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah and Hanani—with musical instruments prescribed by David the man of God. Ezra the scribe led the procession. 37 At the Fountain Gate they continued directly up the steps of the City of David on the ascent to the wall and passed above the house of David to the Water Gate on the east.
38 The second choir proceeded in the opposite direction. I followed them on top[c] of the wall, together with half the people—past the Tower of the Ovens to the Broad Wall, 39 over the Gate of Ephraim, the Jeshanah[d] Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate. At the Gate of the Guard they stopped.
40 The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials, 41 as well as the priests—Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah with their trumpets— 42 and also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malkijah, Elam and Ezer. The choirs sang under the direction of Jezrahiah. 43 And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.
Footnotes:
a. Nehemiah 12:31 Or go alongside
b. Nehemiah 12:31 Or proceed alongside
c. Nehemiah 12:38 Or them alongside
d. Nehemiah 12:39 Or Old
CHRISTIANS YOU SHOULD KNOW - CHARLES SPURGEON
Thousands met Jesus through the ministry of Charles Spurgeon, but few people realize that he also struggled with depression. His story is a testimony of God's power to use anyone to make a difference.
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