Nehemiah 12

27–30 In this section Nehemiah describes the final stage in the restoration of Jerusalem: the dedication of its wall.²⁶ It was a celebration characterized by great joy. Nehemiah makes special note that the priests and Levites first purified themselves ceremonially and then they purified the people, the gates and the wall (verse 30). This ritual purification was very important in the Old Testament; it was meant to teach the Israelites about God’s purity—His holiness—and about the moral purity required in God’s people. This purification involved the cleansing of any person or object that had become ceremonially unclean, a procedure fully described in Leviticus Chapters 11–15. Such ritual purification was an essential part of consecrating—or setting apart—a person or object for God’s service. An example of this ritual purification is seen in Hezekiah’s purifying of the temple in Jerusalem after it had been defiled by his father Ahaz²⁷ (see 2 Chronicles 29:1–19 and comment).

31–43 In these verses, Nehemiah describes the procession of two large choirs moving in opposite directions along the top of the wall, which now encircled Jerusalem. After the choirs met again at the far end of the city, they proceeded together to the house of God, the temple, where the service of dedication continued (verse 40). The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away (verse 43).

44–47 Here Nehemiah provides what seems like an odd conclusion to such a grand and joyful event; these verses seem “anti-climactic.” And yet they teach us an important truth. Great celebrations come to an end quickly; the people’s enthusiasm subsides and things get back to “normal.” But most of our lives are spent in the “normal” routines of daily living, and it is here that our spirituality is tested. Nehemiah did not want his readers to forget that. And so in these verses, he describes the provisions he made for the ongoing services of the temple, for the collecting of the contributions, firstfruits and tithes (see Nehemiah 10:32,35,37), and for the support of the priests and Levites (verse 44). After a grand celebration it is easy to neglect one’s ongoing duties, and Nehemiah was not going to let that happen if he could help it.