November 2020 Series on Thanksgiving – for more information and an outline see here.
27 At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.
Nehemiah 12:27 NIV
In the previous Thanksgiving post, we discussed the celebration in the book of Ezra when the foundation for the temple was completed, marking the beginning of restoring Jerusalem after the exiles returned. In today’s post, we discuss the celebration Nehehiah led when the wall of the city was completed.
In Nehemiah 11, before the great celebration, he names all the residents of the city. They had worked diligently during a time of opposition from the people around the city, and had completed the wall that would now protect them.
To begin the celebration, Nehemiah had the priests and Levites purify themselves and all who would take part. He then called the leaders of the Judah to go on top of the wall and he formed two choirs to proceed in different directions around the wall. By walking on the top of the wall, Nehemiah showed its great strength and silenced the critics who said that it would be too weak to hold even a fox (Nehemiah 4:3). As the choirs gave thanks and made their way to the temple, sacrifices were given and the people rejoiced so loudly they could be heard far away.
Nehemiah also appointed men to be in charge of the storerooms at the temple and made sure provisions were made for ongoing worship. They recalled the days of David and Asaph and ensured musicians would receive provisions, along with the descendants of Aaron and Levi.
The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.
Nehemiah 12:43 NIV
Nehemiah’s celebration teaches us about giving thanks:
- The Israelites celebrated first when the temple foundation was laid, at the beginning of restoring Jerusalem, then also here at the end of the completion of the wall. Often we can forget to celebrate when God begins a great work in our lives or even after we see God has completed it. Do you celebrate at the start and at the end of your service to God? What has God started in your life that you can celebrate? What has He completed that you can joyfully provide praise and thanks?
- Our acts of thanksgiving can have long-lasting effects. In Nehemiah’s time, they looked back to the great celebrations of David at the return of the ark and Solomon at the building of the temple and remembered the music and shouts of praise. How are your expressions of thanksgiving to God affecting your family, your children, your neighbors, your co-workers?
- Nehemiah planned for the celebration, but then also made sure provisions were made for ongoing worship and thanksgiving. As you celebrate Thanksgiving, what can you do to prepare for ongoing expressions of thankfulness? Consider how you can extend a Thanksgiving tradition to be a regular part of your personal or family activities each week or month.