Nehemiah 12:27-43 – Worship God enthusiastically

Nehemiah 8 and 9 described an array of activities that those who returned from exile engaged in to right their relationship with God. They read the law, fasted, repented, confessed, celebrated the Feast of the Tabernacle, and pledged to live with accountability to God. Nehemiah 11 veered off to discuss the dwellers in Jerusalem and other villages in the different parts of Judea. Then in chapter 12, they enumerated the priests and the Levites. Nehemiah 12:27 onwards seems to be a continuation of Nehemiah 10:39.

Nehemiah 12 verses 27-43 turns to discuss the dedication of the wall and gates of Jerusalem. Joining the dedication ceremony were priests, Levites, singers, musicians, and leading citizens. It was a truly grand affair. Verses 27-29 said that “they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they might celebrate the dedication with gladness, with hymns of thanksgiving and with songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps, and lyres.”  Singers from different places were also  brought in for the ceremony. Apparently, purification rites were carried out. The priests and the Levites purified themselves and they then purified the gates and the wall.  

The feature of the dedication ceremony was the procession. The leaders and the musicians were divided into two groups of great choirs. Ezra led one group while Nehemiah did not lead any but just follow in the other group. The choirs then started in opposite directions around the circumference of the wall. The two choirs then met together in the temple and there they sang their praises to Him. This was followed by  sacrifices. And there was great joy in the city.  

The importance of the dedication ceremony of the wall and gates was not in the pomp of it but in the attitude of the people who came to it. They celebrated with joyful praises and glad hearts. They did not just offer their praise loudly but also gladly. They brought in all kinds of instruments for the celebration. It was a time to offer enthusiastic praise and worship and not a muted response to a great God. What’s our attitude when we come to worship God? This jubilant worship describes in the dedication of the walls and gates of Jerusalem shows us how we ought to come before God each time we come to worship Him.