Dedication of the Wall

                                                             Sunday School Lesson                                          

Lesson: Nehemiah 12:27-36, 38, 43;                                                                                                 
Golden Text: “Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off” (Nehemiah 12:43). 

  INTRODUCTION.  There are many ordinary situations that happen in our lives that cause us to rejoice in the Lord.  Building the protecting wall around Jerusalem was just that for Israel.  The temple had been built, the worship of the Lord reestablished, and many (though not everyone) of the Jews returned from captivity in Persia.  Now the wall around Jerusalem had been completed and now it was time to mark the occasion with sacrifices, a dedication of the wall, and a feast while God took part by giving them rejoicing hearts.  Our lesson this week reveals how Nehemiah organized one of the greatest dedications in the history of the nation of Israel.

II. PREPARATION FOR THE DEDICATION (Nehemaih 12:27-30).  Background for the Lesson: Nehemiah was the cupbearer for King Artaxerxes (see Nehemiah 1:11) who allowed him to return to Judah to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall (see Nehemiah 2:1-5).  The temple had been rebuilt years before, but the city of Jerusalem still laid in waste and was exposed to invaders, and few people lived there (see Nehemiah 1:2-3; 2:17-18).  Even though there was opposition to rebuilding the walls (see Nehemiah 2:19-20; 4:1-3), the protection of the Lord and Nehemiah’s skilled leadership enabled the Jews to complete it in just 52 days (see Nehemiah 6:15-16).  Now it was time to dedicate the wall.   

A. The participants gathered (Nehemiah 12:27-29). 
1. (vs. 27).  After listing the names of the priests who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel and Jeshua, as well as a genealogy of the priests and the Levites (see Nehemiah 12:1-26) Nehemiah writes “And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.”  Nehemiah says that they first “sought the Levites out of all their places.”  In other words, Levites were sought out from all the various places where they were living in Judah.  Note: The Levites didn’t have a tribal inheritance in Israel like the other eleven tribes.  They were scattered throughout the territories of the other eleven tribes of Israel.  Originally, forty-eight cities were designed for their use (see Numbers 35:2).  But now, some of the Levites now lived in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 11:18), but many still lived in the countryside and came to the city only when required to perform their temple duties.  Since the people would “keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps,” Levites were needed because they were the temple musicians and singers.  They would play three different instruments, cymbals, psalteries, and harps.  All three of these instruments were normally used for religious ceremonies (see I Chronicles 15:16, 28).  “Psalteries” were large harps with twelve strings and the “harps” were really lyres which were smaller than the psalteries having four to ten strings.   The word “thanksgivings” here comes from a Hebrew word that has been translated “companies of them that gave thanks” (see Nehemiah 12:31, 38).  We could also translate it as “thanksgiving choirs.”  The people of Judah had good reason to give thanks.  The wall was completed, their enemies had been put down, and once again many people inhabited Jerusalem.  Of course, the Lord supervised the whole project.
2. (vs. 28).  Nehemiah continued to write “And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi.”  The “sons of the singers” were descendents of those who had long served in the temple service.  David had established these families after bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (see I Chronicles 15:1-3,15, 16-22; 25:1-7), and throughout the years after that they carried on the tradition of serving in the temple.  These singers came from “out of the plain country round about Jerusalem,” which was the rural area in southern Israel and from the villages of Netophathi.”  Netophah was a town south of Jerusalem and Bethlehem.  The “villages of Netophathi” refers to the villages around the city of Netophah.  Some Levites lived there even before the Captivity (see I Chronicles 9: 14, 16) and a small number of people repopulated it after the Captivity (see Ezra 2:22; Nehemiah 7:26).
3. (vs. 29).  This verse says that other Levites came “Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem.”  The phrase “house of Gilgal” probably refers to Gilgal which was a place near Jericho where the Israelites first set up camp after crossing the Jordan (see Joshua 4:19-20).  It was also where Saul was later crowned king (see I Samuel 11:15).  Finally, some Levites came from “the fields of Geba and Azmaveth” meaning in that region.  “Geba” was in the tribal lands of Benjamin about six miles north of Jerusalem.  Joshua designated it as a town for priests (see Joshua 21: 2-4, 17; I Chronicles 6:54, 60) and it was one of the areas newly repopulated by the returning Exiles (see Ezra 2:1-2, 26; Nehemiah 11: 20, 31).   “Azmaveth” was about five miles northeast of Jerusalem bordering on the lands of Judah and Benjamin.  A small number of returning exiles also lived there (see Nehemiah 7: 6-7, 28).  Thus, these Levitical singers lived in “villages round about Jerusalem.”  They were not far from the city, but were scattered to the south, east, and north of Jerusalem. 
B. The participants purified (Nehemiah 12:30).  Nehemiah continues to write “And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.”  Before the dedication and the time of rejoicing could take place, there was a need for purification or cleansing.  First the “priests and the Levites purified themselves” then they “purified the people,” and finally they purified “the gates, and the wall.”  According to the law, in order to carry out their duties, the priests and Levites had to undergo purification, or cleansing from ceremonial defilement or uncleanness (see Exodus 29:4; Numbers 8:5-8).  The Israelites worshipped a holy God so it was essential for them to experience ceremonial purification or cleansing before they could worship.  Even though this purification was outward, it symbolized a spiritual cleansing.  “Purification” often included the washing of the body and clothes with water (see Leviticus 15:4-13).  The “gates and the wall” were probably purified with the blood of sacrifices.  Note: The Mosaic Law recognized and detailed purification rituals for three distinct categories of uncleanness or defilement.  These were leprosy (see Leviticus chapters 13-14), sexual discharges (see Leviticus chapter 15) and contact with a dead body (see Numbers 19:11-19).  By the time of Jesus, the Jewish religious leaders had added more regulations to the laws of purification, making them a burden to the people.  Jesus denounced those rituals, teaching that defilement and uncleanness came from within, or the inner motives of the mind and heart (see Mark 7:14-23).  He taught that genuine purification is only possible by following Him and heeding His Word (see John 15:3).  The New Testament does not give any requirements for ritual purification for the Christian.  However, since our God is holy our lives should also be pure from the defilement of sin (see Romans 12:1-2; Titus 2:11-14; I Peter 1:15-16).  If we do allow ourselves to be defiled by sin, sincere confession will bring God’s cleansing (see I John 1:9).  In addition we are to cleanse and purify our hands, heart, and mind (see James 4:8).    
III. PROCESSIONS IN THE DEDICATION (Nehemiah 12: 31-36, 38)
A.  The procession on the right (Nehemiah 12:31).  At this point Nehemiah tells us what part he personally played in the dedication.  He wrote “Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate.”  The “princes of Judah” refer to the Jewish leaders.  After the Captivity, “Judah” was used to identify the whole nation of Israel, not just the tribe of Judah (see Ezra 10:7; Nehemiah 5:14; 6:7; 12:44).  Nehemiah led these leaders to the top of the wall to participate in the dedication processions.  He then “appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks.”  In other words Nehemiah chose two large groups of singers, or thanksgiving choirs.  The first group was to proceed “on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate.” 
B. Leaders of Judah participate (Nehemiah 12:32-34).  In these verses, Nehemiah describes the order of the procession.
1. (vs. 32).  Nehemiah said that “And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah.”  Following the singers who marched on the right side of the wall (see verse 31), was “Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah.”  We don’t know anything else about “Hoshaiah” however, there is another Hoshaiah mentioned in Jeremiah 42:1 and 43:2, but he lived almost 200 years before Nehemiah’s time.  His name being listed first here may indicate that “Hoshaiah” was a prominent leader.  Marching along with “Hoshaiah” were “half of the princes of Judah” meaning half of the leaders of Judah.     
2. (vs. 33).  Nehemiah continues to write “And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam.”  These three men were included in the group led by Hoshaiah.  The “Ezra” mentioned here is probably not the priestly scribe Ezra who led the second group of returning captives back to Judah.  That Ezra is mentioned in verse 36.
3. (vs. 34).  Also included in the group led by Hoshaiah were “Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah.”  The names “Judah, and Benjamin” in this verse were the names of individuals not the tribes of the same names.  The “Jeremiah” mentioned here is not the prophet Jeremiah who lived almost 200 years before Nehemiah.  The Scriptures don’t tell us anything more about these leaders.
C. Priestly musicians involved (Nehemiah 12:35-36).
1. (vs. 35).  In this verse, Nehemiah writes that coming after the singers and leaders mentioned in verses 31-34 were “certain of the priests' sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph.”  The phrase “certain of the priests' sons” refers to those priests chosen to play instruments during this march.  The “trumpets” they played were not ram’s horns, but were long silver instruments like those used in the wilderness to call the people together when breaking camp (see Numbers 10:1-8), to call Israel to battle, and to announce their festivals (see Numbers 10:8-10).  Blowing these trumpets was always reserved for the priests (see Numbers 10:8).  The first trumpet playing priest Nehemiah named from this group was “Zechariah” whose lineage is traced back to “Asaph” as seen by identifying him “as the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph.”  Asaph was a Levite who oversaw worship music in the days of David and Solomon (see I Chronicles 16:4-5; 25:1; II Chronicles 5:12).  Over the centuries, Asaph’s descendents which included “Zechariah” in this verse, continued that musical calling.  This “Zachariah” is not the prophet Zachariah who was the son of Berechiah not Jonathan as mentioned in this verse (see Zachariah 1:1).
2. (vs. 36).  In this verse Nehemiah said that accompanying Zechariah were “his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.”  The term “brethren” here probably refers to members of the same musical group not necessarily his biological brothers.  These eight men who are named are said to be playing “the musical instruments of David the man of God.”  This phrase indicates that some of these musicians played instruments other than trumpets (see I Chronicles 15:16; II Chronicles 29:26: Nehemiah 12:27).  David is here called “the man of God” because he was so devoted to the worship of the Lord God of Israel.  The last part of this verse says “and Ezra the scribe before them.”  This means that Ezra was behind the singers, but in front of those mentioned in verses 32-36.  His position in this procession shows how highly he was respected and esteemed as a spiritual leader (see Ezra chapters 8 and 9; Nehemiah chapter 8).  Nehemiah was the governor (see Nehemiah 5:14-16) in Judah, but Ezra was the spiritual leader and deserved this place of honor in the procession.
D. The procession to the left (Nehemiah 12:38).  Up to this point, Nehemiah has discussed the group led by singers marching on the right of the wall.  In this verse he speaks of the second group of marchers.  Nehemiah wrote “And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall.”  The phrase “the other company of them that gave thanks” refers to the singers as in verse 31.  According to verse 37 which is not part of our printed text, the first group of singers followed by Ezra and the rest of the procession marched to the right and met up with the second group who marched on the left side of the wall.  The phrase “went over against them” means that the second group of marchers met up with the first group and the procession continued to the “broad wall.”  Nehemiah stated that he came after the singers indicating that he had the same position in this second group that Ezra had in the first group.  Nehemiah walked “after them” or behind the singers but in front of “the half of the people upon the wall.” 
IV. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DEDICATION (Nehemiah 12:43).  Verse 39 describes the rest of the march that ended at the prison gate, or the gate of the guard.  At that point, the two groups of singers, or choirs took their places in the house of God, along with Nehemiah, half of the leaders, and the priests.  The singers sang loud while being directed by Jezrahiah (vss. 40-42).  Now, our last verse says “Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.”  This dedication service ended in the temple service with the choirs singing loud, meaning that their voices could be heard.  Then the priests “offered great sacrifices” or a large number of sacrifices.  They also “rejoiced” because “God had made them rejoice with great joy.”  The fact that God had given the people “great joy” is seen in the completion of the wall, the city secure from its enemies, and they could joy in knowing that they were able to come together and complete a major effort.  But they realized that it was the Lord who directed it all.  Not only did the priests and singers rejoice, but “the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.”  The women and children of the heads of households also rejoiced and they could be heard from far away.  God has done great things for us as well.  Let us, like Judah magnify His name in all that we do so He can be glorified.
                               
V. Conclusion.  When we have a grateful and worshipful heart, we will have many opportunities to praise the Lord and thank Him for anything and everything He does.  Even when something seems not to turn out right, it might present a lesson to be learned.  The apostle Paul admonishes “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:18).  Of course we thank God for the blessings we enjoy, but we should also thank Him for the trials that make us strong in our faith.  We don’t rejoice because of our successes but because of God’s goodness.  He protects us and provides our daily needs just as He did for those who had returned to Jerusalem.  There would be no return from captivity, no temple and certainly no wall without the hand of God being upon Israel and its leaders (see Ezra 8:22, 31).  For sure, the hand of God is upon us as well.