What is the joy of the Lord? Can this joy be sustained? Nehemiah 12 will help us to see how we can have joy in God.
(A) God’s Preservation of the Priesthood for Worship (Neh 12:1-26)
This section starts with a few lists. Nehemiah 12:1a, 6b (c.f. Ez 2:2) speaks of the first return of the exiles led by Zerubbabel (the governor, also a descendant of David) and Jeshua (the high priest of his time). Note that Zerubabbel is a descendant of David, and also a predecessor of Jesus. His name means son of Babylon. His name is a keen reminder of the captivity of Judah under Babylon, due to their rebellion against God. Yet, at this stage of the story, it is a sweet reminder of the grace of God amid difficult circumstances.
This is not of Nehemiah’s generation. Two groups are mentioned here: the chiefs of the priests (Neh 12:1-7) and the chiefs of the Levites who led singing of thanksgiving. These groups are mentioned as standing opposite each other (Neh 12:8-9). Nehemiah 12 also records a genealogy tracing Jeshua, the high priest’s descendants for 6 generations down to Jaddua (Neh 12:10-11).
During Nehemiah’s time when the wall was rebuilt (Neh 12:12, 26), we are told that there are chiefs of the priests (Neh 12:12-19) and chiefs of the Levites who led singing and the gatekeepers at the storehouses of the gates (Neh 12:24-25) present. The Levites were recorded as heads of their father’s houses in the Book of the Chronicles (Neh 12:22-23). Note that apart from one family which is missing, the genealogy of each head of the families is traced clearly in this list. They were organised according to the commandment of David, the man of God, watch by watch (Neh 12:24b).
Great care is taken to list the names of priests and Levites according to their households. Why? Because God had commanded that only the sons of Aaron are to be priests, and only the Levites are to be set apart for service of the temple. This exclusivity is part of God’s design and command.On the part of the Levites, the fact that their lineages could be traced shows careful effort to track and keep in obedience with God’s commands. Not only that, but they would have to keep their bloodline pure, in accordance to God’s commands.
At the same time, we see God’s hand of protection over his priesthood and the Levites who serve in the temple. How is it that amid the unfaithfulness of Judah and its people, the high priestly lines, the priestly lines, and the Levitical priests have remained? It is because God himself has preserved his servants for worship.
What about us today? 1 Peter 2:9 tells us that as the church, like Israel and the Levites, we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people for his own possession. God has chosen you. And for what? That you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light. We have been saved, pulled out of Egypt, to worship the God of all creation. And He will preserve His people for himself.
Apart from the priesthood, the Levite singers and gatekeepers were specifically mentioned. As the Israelites transitioned from the Tabernacle to the Temple, the Levites’ duties transitioned from transporting and guarding the Tabernacle and its contents to leading the people in worship (e.g. through song and music, teaching them the law, judging them), and managing the temple (treasury, maintenance, gatekeeping).
This passage reminds us that the duties of the singers and the gatekeepers were reserved for the Levites – they are holy duties too. What roles do you consider as important in the church? Many of us would quickly think about our pastors, and the staff, maybe your cell group or Bible study leaders. The church is a body comprised of many parts, each serving in different ways. Do not think of your service in seemingly menial tasks as insignificant – whether as an usher, as someone caring for children in the nursery, preparing coffee and tea or snacks, or carpark attendant – do it all as part of your worship to God.
Or perhaps, if you are in a teaching role, do you look down on the service of others? Brothers and sisters, let us honour our fellow servants who have likewise been save and set apart by God for His service.
(B) Make a Joyful Noise – Joy of Jerusalem (Neh 12:27-43)
Judah dedicates the wall with a great celebration. Nehemiah 12:27-42 records for us the events and the various groups that are involved.
Gathering of the Levites from all their places (i.e. the villages surrounding Jerusalem) to Jerusalem (Neh 12:27-29), which involves the people, the Levites (Neh 12:27), the singers and sons of the singers (Neh 12:28-29).
Purification of the priests and Levites, then the people, and the gates and the wall. (Neh 12:27-29). The priests and Levites do the purification work, and the people of Judah are cleansed (Neh 12:30). Consider this: Do you purify yourself, and prepare yourself for worship? What is the state of your mind and your heart when you enter into church, to stand before the holy God?
Split into two groups as they walk along the walls (Neh 12:30-39). They arrived at the temple, singing and giving thanks, with loud music (Neh 12:27b, 40-42). This was led by the priests and choir (Neh 12:31b, 33-36, 38a, 41-42), followed by the leaders and officials (Neh 12:32, 38b). It was directed by the choir director, Jezrahiah (Neh 12:42b). Notice that Ezra was with one group (Neh 12:36) while Nehemiah was with the other group (Neh 12:38). The worship is led not by Nehemiah and the officials, but the priests. Worship belongs to the church, the people of God who are dedicated to His service.
Offering of great sacrifices, rejoicing with great joy (Neh 12:27b, 43). Notice the repetition of the word “joy” with emphasis on “great”. All the people of Judah, including the women and children where involved (Neh 12:43). Young and all, all of Israel was worshipping and thanking God for what He had done. Consider this scene, and the atmosphere. There is loud singing and rejoicing. This is an entire city filled with worshippers and instruments, marked by rejoicing. This was the celebration for the dedication of the wall. Is worship in your church like that? Is it filled with joy and celebration, reflected in the music?
This is the overall picture. It is a celebration, a gathering to dedicate the wall. The Jews gather the Levites from all their places and bring them into the city, together with their instruments that make loud noises.
But notice also the importance of purification and preparing before worship. The priests and Levites purified themselves, then the people, and the gates and the wall. The leaders, officials, priests, and Levites were split into two. The priests and sons of Asaph lead the choirs, followed by leaders of the people, and walk along the wall around Jerusalem, that they have worked to rebuild. They then all reconvene and congregate in the temple, and offer great sacrifices to God in praise.
What had God done to make Judah “rejoice with great joy” such that “the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away”? God has fulfilled every promise of His word. Though the people had disobeyed God and had been exiled as a result of their disobedience, He was gracious and brought them back and allowed for the wall to be rebuilt (Neh 1:7-8). God was not just focussing on rebuilding a wall, but was rebuilding His people. This is the reason for their great joy.
How can we experience this joy today? As we examined what God did for the people in Nehemiah, we say the reason for their joy. In the same way, we can also consider the wonder of what God has done to save us. He has also brought us out of darkness into His marvellous light. But also consider what God did to start your church, to bring the gospel to Singapore, to allow for the growth of Christianity in Singapore… If we find ourselves lacking in joy, perhaps we need to slow down, think and remind ourselves about what God has done in our lives.
(C) People’s Commitment to Provide for the Levites (Neh 12:44-47)
After the festivities conclude, there is also commitment on the part of the people to sustain God’s worship and His priests (Neh 12:44-47). Do you serve only for big events, or do you serve your church community regularly? Do you partake in regular and consistent worship? Do you rejoice in the ministry of those who serve God in your midst? Or do you take them for granted? Do you take for granted the tireless service of the administrative staff etc?
Beyond the church, do you contribute financially to support those who labour for the gospel or for the church (giving to missionaries?)? Do you pray for them? What are the ways that you can practically support those who are labouring for the gospel?
We are all priests and in service of God. Do we strive to lead only in visible ways, or are we content to also serve God in the small things, in the daily, mundane things? Nothing we do for God is wasted and can be holy unto the Lord.
What has God done for you? How can you share in the great joy of the people of God? How can you honour God with regular and practical service?