Our daily devotional on Nehemiah 12 has another long list of names. But beyond the names, this chapter is all about celebration. Have you ever thought about celebrating your relationship with God? Nehemiah 12 is a reminder to do just that. This chapter is one of joyful dedication and gratitude. Whether it was the wall of Jerusalem being dedicated with music or my own personal milestones, Nehemiah 12 calls us to celebrate God’s victories in our lives. The people of Jerusalem didn’t just build a wall—they dedicated it with gladness, thanksgiving, and song. They purified themselves and celebrated with all their hearts, offering sacrifices and rejoicing loudly enough that their joy was heard far away. Let this remind us to rejoice in our relationship with God, to express our joy and gratitude for His presence, and to celebrate His goodness in our lives. How will you celebrate God today? To see who the new residents of Jerusalem are, read the daily devotional on Nehemiah 11.
Nehemiah 12 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Today, we are in Nehemiah 12, and guess what? A lot more names, once again. But in the midst of names, there is a celebration. Do you celebrate your relationship with God? Please read or listen to Nehemiah 12.
How Does the Bible Say to Purify Yourself?
Let’s see what my journals reveal about the meaning of chapter 12. We skip past 1991, because I read Nehemiah chapters 9-13 on the same day and did not make any notes. We go right to 2002, where I have those double entries. Entry number one, “Dedication of the wall was a celebration with gladness, both with thanksgiving and singing.” Then I wrote, “Then the priests and the Levites purified themselves and purified the people, the gates, and the wall.” I continued to write, “I will fast and pray over Easter, but with emphasis on purifying myself for the Ezra Project launch in April.”
My second entry on Nehemiah 12 was on March 28, 2002, just a few days before I started the Ezra Project on April 1st. In my journal, I wrote, “My last day at ABA (the company I worked for). Leaving lunch today (my celebration lunch) and get my ownership shares check. Sad, but good feelings about all this.”
Then I wrote about Nehemiah 12, “Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music!” You remember that song? I can’t remember who it was done by, but it might have been Sly and the Family Stone. “Celebrate, celebrate.” No, no, no. It was Three Dog Night. “Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music.” Anyway, I kept writing, “When we see victory in God, we should celebrate, rejoice, be glad! Today should be a day like that for me. I’m wearing a suit, look sharp, and want to have a countenance of joy. I am in God’s will. Celebrate.”
What Do Christians Learn from the Dedication of the Wall of Jerusalem?
In 2012, I separated Nehemiah 12 into two sections and read them on two different days. On the first day, I read verses 1-26 and wrote, “My footnote says the time between Zerubbabel and Nehemiah is about one hundred years. The point of this list is to show that even in a very difficult time in Jerusalem, the Levitical service was sustained. Priests and Levites are recorded.” I continued, “Songs of thanksgiving were sung, and praise and thanksgiving were offered ‘watch by watch’” (v. 24).
What Happened in Chapter 12 of Nehemiah?
The next day, I finished Nehemiah 12 by reading verses 27-47 and wrote, “Celebrate. Dedicate the wall to God with gladness, thanksgiving, and singing. They purified themselves to celebrate. The procession ends at the temple where ‘they offered great sacrifices . . . and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy’” (v. 43). Then, “Does God make us rejoice?” I finished with, “According to the law, the Word of God, people are appointed over storerooms, contributions, firstfruits, and they gather portions to perform service and daily portions for those ministering in the temple.”
What Is the Lesson Learned from Nehemiah Chapter 12?
In the midst of all the names recorded in Nehemiah 12, there is a celebration. Let’s just look at a couple of verses:
And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres (v. 27).
And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and they purified the people and the gates and the wall (v. 30).
Then I brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall and appointed two great choirs that gave thanks (v. 31).
And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away (v. 43).
Nehemiah 12 reminds us it is okay to get excited about the Lord. It is okay to celebrate. It is okay to sing. It is okay to clash cymbals. It is okay to give sacrifices in honor of what God does for us. Are you excited about your relationship with God? Do you celebrate your relationship with God? This chapter may remind you to celebrate with thanksgiving and with gladness of heart.
Prayer
Lord, we do come to You. We thank You. We celebrate You. We praise You. We worship You. We experience the joy of being able to call ourselves children of the Most High God. Hallelujah! We celebrate You. May our joy for You be heard far away, like it was in Jerusalem that day. We celebrate You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
