Nehemiah 12:1-47 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Nehemiah 12:1-47. Let’s go!
On verses 1-23: These verses list by name the priests and Levites who led the Israelites in worshiping the Lord. What can we learn from this? God sees, remembers and honours those who lead others to worship Jesus. You were made to lead others in worship too. You don’t have to be a good singer, musician or speaker to lead others in worship. Worship is so much more than music and speaking. Worship is living your life to give God glory in whatever you do or wherever you are. When you live your life to worship Jesus, you will naturally influence others to worship Jesus too. Like the people listed in verses 1 to 26, may you be counted among those who led others to worship Jesus.
Nehemiah 12:24-26 (NIV)
24 And the leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua son of Kadmiel, and their associates, who stood opposite them to give praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other, as prescribed by David the man of God.
25 Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates.
26 They served in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest and scribe.
On verses 24-26: Back when King David ruled Israel, he created a system in the house of God where worship leaders would stand on one side of the sanctuary and their teammates would stand on the other side. Each side would respond to the other as they worshiped the Lord. What can we learn from this? Worship is a team sport. You weren’t made to worship God just on your own. You were made to worship God with other believers, interacting with them, encouraging them, hearing them out, responding to them and praising God with them. So always protect your time to worship with your church on the weekend and in small group. God is greatly glorified when His people worship Him in unity.
On verses 27-39: Levites (v27), singers (v28-29) and priests (v30) are called to lead the people in a worship service to dedicate the finished wall to the Lord. Nehemiah arranges for Judah’s leaders as well as two choirs to walk along the top of the wall in an eye-catching procession. The grand procession ends in the temple where all the people worship the Lord out loud with joy. The sound of rejoicing in the city is so loud that they could be heard from far away.
What can we learn from this? Bold. Passionate. Thoughtful. Creative. Orderly. United. Joyful. And out loud, so much so that those on the outside take notice. That’s the way I believe God made His church to worship Him. Church, let’s worship Him that way. Whenever we come together, let’s worship the Lord boldly, passionately, thoughtfully, creatively, orderly, joyfully, out loud and united. May our worship be a witness to the world of how great Jesus is.
Nehemiah 12:44-47 (NIV)
44 At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes. From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites.
45 They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did also the singers and gatekeepers, according to the commands of David and his son Solomon.
46 For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.
47 So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the singers and gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.
On verses 44-47: These verses show us that worship is so much more than singing. Worship is giving faithfully and generously to God’s house (v44). It’s serving God and serving others (v45). It’s taking care of those who spend their working lives serving God’s house and God’s people (v46-47). If you want to measure the size of your worship, don’t just look at how often you go to church or how loudly you sing. Your worship is also shown in how generously you give financially, how humbly you serve God and others, and how well you take care of God’s servants. May we give God great worship in all of these areas.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that worship is a team sport, that I was made to worship You boldly, passionately, thoughtfully, creatively, orderly, joyfully, out loud and united with my church. Thank You for reminding me that worship is so much more than singing. It’s how I give, how I serve, and how I take care of Your servants. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
