NEHEMIAH 12
Completion. Any work that we do for God succeeds only because of His working in us (Phil. 2:12–13). Therefore, that work must be dedicated to Him for His glory. Otherwise, we may become proud, and the work then becomes an idol that takes God’s rightful place in our lives (
Celebration. The emphasis is on joy and thanksgiving to God. The work was finished, the enemy was humiliated, and the Lord was glorified; so why not rejoice? Nehemiah and Ezra each led one of the two choirs as they sang their way around the city walls and met at the temple area. The sound of the joy “was heard afar off” (v. 43;
Cleansing. Of what value is a dedicated wall without dedicated people? Verse 30 parallels