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Houston, Texas 77037
Tel: (281) 447-8484
Nehemiah
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson
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Studies in Nehemiah Lesson 21
PREPARING TO DEDICATE THE GREAT WALL OF JERUSALEM
Nehemiah
12:1-30
Intro.
The great wall was finished, there was a great revival among God's people
and they were ready to dedicate the wall unto the Lord. Nehemiah
12:1-30 records their preparations.
I. A HISTORICAL RECORDING OF THE CHIEF SERVANTS OF GOD. Neh. 12:1-26
A. The priests and Levites which came up with Zerubbabel. Neh. 12:1-9
1. There is a distinction between "the priests" and "the Levites." A "Levite" was a descendent of Levi, the immediate son of Jacob. Though all of the sons of Levi ministered in the religious activities of the nation, not all served as priests. Levi had three immediate sons, "Gershon, Kohath, and Merari" Gen. 46:11. Each of these sons had many offsprings all of whom were Levites.
2. Only the sons of Levi through his son Kohath and his son Amram were to serve as priests. Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam were the offsprings of Amram and the priesthood was established in Aaron and his offspring.
That the priesthood should be limited to the Levitical family of Aaron alone was sharply contested in Numbers 16. Other descendants of Levi gathered themselves together against Moses and Aaron and said in verse 3, "Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?"
Numbers 17 is given to the resolution of this question. God commanded that the head of each tribe bring a dry rod and write the name of the head of the tribe upon it. Aaron's name was to be written upon the tribe of Levi. God said in Numbers 17:5, "And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom." Verse 8 records that it was Aaron's rod that budded. Once and for all, God established the priesthood in Aaron and his descendants. Numbers 18 specifically says the priesthood was to be exclusively in Aaron & his offspring. It is stated clearly in verse 7, "Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the veil; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift."
Study notes.
Relate this matter to the modern day debates and power struggles over who is responsible for chief leadership in the Lord's churches. Read Hebrews 13:7, 17. 1 Tim. 5:17. What message is here for modern Christians & churches?
3. Nehemiah's mentioning of "the Levites and the priests" is not mere repetition. The "priests" were a special group of Levites namely those who led and conducted the sacrificial work. The Hebrew word for priest is kohen (ko-hane'). James Strong offers this definition. "One officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman):‑‑chief ruler, X own, priest, prince, principal officer." (Strong's. Reference 3548)
B.
The succession of chief priests and other chief
officers. Neh. 12:10-26
Heavy emphasis is given in this section to one of the main reasons for the being and functions of these men. They were there "to praise and to give thanks" Neh. 12:24.
II. THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE DEDICATION SERVICE FOR THE COMPLETED WALL. Neh. 12:27-30
A. They predetermined that their spirits would be right in the dedication of this wall. It was to be with gladness and joy in spite of the difficult times they had known. Neh. 12:27-29
Study notes.
What does this say about planning and preparations for worship services
in a church?
What does this say about the ability and need for God's people to make a
deliberate choice about what kind of attitude they will have, especially when
they come together to worship God?
Discuss some of the planning and preparations that should go on as people approach a worship service.
1. The building of the wall had been a most difficult task. Times were hard, the task was hugh, resources were limited and opposition had been great. In the work of God, it is almost always this way in every age. 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. Daniel 10:11-13.
Study notes.
Have you let difficulties be an excuse for poor service and worship? Explain.
2. In spite of every difficulty the work had succeeded. The wall was finished and there was great rejoicing.
The wall was a tangible evidence of success and they rejoiced at the prosperity of His work. Their rejoicing was a deliberate choice on their part. God's people should determine to always rejoice at the prosperity of His work and to grieve when it suffers even as did Nehemiah. Neh. 1:4 Consider the Lamentations, particularly Lam. 1:12. How can the people of God be indifferent to the welfare of His work?
Study notes.
How has the success or failure of God's work affected you? How much has it mattered? Have you observed church members who seemed to care less about the condition of the church?
3. They determined to manifest their joy in four distinct ways. (It is noteworthy that they were not ashamed or inhibited to let their joy and emotions be seen.) Ps. 107:2. Neh. 12:43. Neh. 12:27
a. They would keep the dedication "with gladness."
Listen to the definition of the Hebrew word simchah (sim-khaw') from which gladness is translated. "blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival):‑‑ X exceeding (‑ly), gladness, joy (‑fulness), mirth, pleasure, rejoice (‑ing)" (Strongs. Reference 8057).
Gladness is a joyous condition of the heart which manifests itself in one's spirit.
b. They would keep the dedication "with thanksgiving."
Thanksgiving is a recognition of blessing undeserved. A thankful heart realizes that things could have gone the other way. Thanksgiving recognizes that someone provided the benefits. A thankful heart is not focused on what it didn't get; it is focused on what it did get. Col. 3:15,17. Eph. 5:20. Phil. 4:6.
Study notes.
Can you easily name the five blessings from God for which you are most thankful? Why do you suppose most people have to stutter at such a question?
c. They would keep the dedication "with singing."
Singing vents the soul. It is an outlet for the emotions. Ps. 30:4. Ps. 95:1. Ps. 96:1-2. Ps. 104:33. Ps. 149:1. Isa. 12:5-6. Col. 3:16.
Study notes.
Why do you suppose some Christians complain about too much singing in the Lord's church?
d. They would keep the dedication "with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps."
Not only with their voices, but also with musical instruments they would express their joy unto the Lord. Ps. 150.
Study notes.
What does this say about the godly use of musical instruments in the worship of God?
B.
The leaders prepared their own hearts for the
dedication. Neh. 12:30
1. Before any acceptable service or praise and worship there had to be purification. 1 Tim. 1:5. 1 Tim. 3:8-9. 2 Tim. 2:20-21. Consider the matter of Achan in Joshua 7. 1 Cor. 5:6-8.
Study notes.
Do you suppose failure here robs many churches of joy and power with God?
2. Before they could properly celebrate, they had to be clean. Note that the purification was all inclusive.
a. It started at the top with the leadership, "the Levites purified themselves." That is where it should always start. Mat. 15:14. Luke 6:39.
Study notes.
What does this say about the power that leadership has over a church? Luke 12:48.
b. The purification included all of "the people."
It is not enough to have clean leadership. Corruption in any part can hamper the whole. The call for cleanliness and holiness in the Lord is for everyone. John 15:3. 1 Pet. 1:16.
c. The purification included even "the gates, and the wall."
God's people must give attention to the physical items around them as they worship and serve God. Unholy symbols, immodest clothing and disrespectful activity can distract from and destroy service and worship. Ps. 89:7.
Study notes.
Should God's people be concerned about the appearance of the building and grounds? Should they allow on the premises seductive clothing? Unholy pictures?
3. Holiness precedes happiness and pollution gives laugher a hollow ring.
"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"