Topic: God Provides the Reason to Celebrate. (Nehemiah 12)

The study book of Nehemiah titled, “Serving God with Determined Faith,” highlights Israel's celebration in completing the building of the wall of Jerusalem.

There has been seldom singing, celebration, worship and joy in any gathering, in all of human history, as there was among the faithful in Israel at the dedication of the restored wall of Jerusalem. The Levites were sought out to provide hymns of thanksgiving and songs of joy, accompanied by choirs and numerous instruments.

The priest prepared their sacrifices to bring before the Lord, and the officials of Jerusalem–with Nehemiah–gathered in the house of God.

Nehemiah 12:40-43, “Then the two choirs took their stand in the house of God. So did I and half of the officials with me; and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah, with the trumpets; and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam and Ezer. And the singers sang, with Jezrahiah their leader, and on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar.”

We should recognize that the Lord was responsible for giving the people the courage and the will to rebuild amidst great opposition. God moved their hearts to recommit themselves to Him and to keeping His Law. God is to be credited for making their celebration sweet and joyful.

The people’s gratitude for the services being rendered led them to give freely to meet the needs of those who made it possible. Great joy and great giving go together.

Questions to think about:

1. How well do we do in celebrating the victories that God gives to us?

2. What can we learn from Nehemiah that would help us worship the Lord more freely?

3. What is the connection between gratitude toward God and giving to the work of God?

See you Sunday!

Dr. Scott Kallem