Celebration of a renewed nation

Nehemiah Chapter 12


The list of priests and Levites who had returned to with Zerabbabel and Jeshua the high priest are listed in verses 2 through 21. Also the list includes the priests and their associates in the days of Jeshua. Please read these for yourselves.


In the reign of Darisu II of Persia, a list was complied of the family leaders of the Levites and priests in the days following high priests: Eliashib, Joiada, Jonhannan, and Jaddua.


Family leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jesua, Binnui, Kadmiel and others who stood opposite them during the ceremonies of praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other, just as commanded by David, the man of God.


During the dedication of the new wall of Jerusalem, all the Levites throughout the land were asked to come to assist in the ceremonies and add to the joyous occasion with song, and music of cymbals, lyres, and harps. Nehemiah led the leaders of Judah to the top of the wall and organized two large choirs to give thanks. It was a huge procession with musical instruments prescribed by David, man of God and Ezra led one of the processions. After the processions, the two choirs proceeded to the Temple and took their places and sang. Sacrifices were offered on this joyous day for God had given the people cause to have great joy.


On this day, men were appointed to be in charge of the storeroom for gifts, the first part of the harvest and the tithes. They performed their service for their God had the service of purification as required by the laws of David and his son Solomon and so did the singers and the gatekeepers. And the people brought a daily supply of food for the singers, gatekeepers and Levites and the Levites in turn, gave a portion of theirs to the priests, the descendants of Aaron.


BIBLE NOTES SHOW: When King Nebuchadnezzar confiscated things from the Temple, he very well may have taken the instruments back to Babylon. Most likely these were preserved there and given back to the Israelites by Cyrus when they returned to their land.


HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? The dedication of Jerusalem was done with great joy and singing. It was done on the order of that of David and showed that the exiles wished their city to be a renewed nation, strengthened by God. Can you imagine yourself there? Feel the joy wash over you? This feeling of renewal can be ours today if we hand our future over to God. Our nation can be renewed if we dedicate ourselves to God and ask for his help. Let your governing officials know that we can succeed only with God at our side!


Yours in Christ,

Mary


Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother whose cancer has returned and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother in law Mary just had a stroke this week. They are being tested by God and need a wealth of prayers. Pray for them now! Pray that they can find a place for Mary that won’t bankrupt the family.
And pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
Pray for my cousin Diane who is undergoing total mastectomy surgery for breast cancer.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Update on Marthaline Sargent. She lost her battle with health problems and passed away last Tuesday. Our condolences to her son Patrick and daughter Stacey. Continue to pray for her husband Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who will soon undergo chemo for his prostate cancer.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
Pray for Debbie who lost her home in a fire recently.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.