Seeds for 11/07/2024 - Nehemiah 12:31-43
Scripture:
31 I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks. One was to proceed on top 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 Zakkur, 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 teacher of the Law 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 site of David’s palace to the Water Gate on the east.
38 The second choir proceeded in the opposite direction. I followed them on top 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 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.
Observation:
For anyone who’s settled in to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the USA, this scene should look relatively familiar.
Two choirs parade in opposite directions atop the wall, led by Ezra the teacher and Nehemiah the builder. They made their way up to take “their places in the house of God.”
The people have been on an emotional journey that included conviction from the hearing the law/covenant (probably Deuteronomy) read and explained, celebration at hearing God’s Word anew, and confession for how far they had fallen. Now they are ready to worship as they continue to dedicate the restored walls of the city to God.
I love that one choir was not enough. They needed two choirs to adequately offer songs of worship to the Lord.
The details I’m focused on today are in verse 43.
First, it says, “on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy.” Great joy leads to great sacrifices. God’s blessing, working through them to restore the Jerusalem walls, brought forth from them sacrifices of joyful thanksgiving. Sacrifice and dedication come not only from discipline but from inspiration. When we awaken to the joy of knowing Jesus, our joy overflows and we are ready to offer great sacrifices.
Second, “[t]he women and children also rejoiced.” This emphasizes expansiveness. The whole people of God—men, women, and children—were united in jubilant celebration for the Lord.
Third, “[t]he sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.” This emphasizes exuberance. They are so grateful to the Lord that their praise is loud and unhindered. We’d say today that they were “singing at the top of their lungs.” Praise be to God.
Application:
When has your joy in the Lord inspired you to great sacrifices and great praise?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, pour your joy into my heart, such that it may overflow in worship and praise. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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