In our lives as biblical Christians, we must have the “walls of truth” protect us from the insidious seductions, allurements and enticements, to say nothing of the virulent attacks by Satan himself. There is also the wall of prayer, by which we intercede for ourselves, our loved ones, our pastors and church leaders.
There is a lot in our media today about borders and walls. It’s important to note that GOD intended that there would be separate, sovereign nations, and any globalism apart from the one world government that will be founded by and upon Christ is inspired by the occult.
Nations are meant to keep their cultural, societal and governmental distinctions just as GOD preserved the nation of Israel during the days of Nehemiah, Ezra and Zerubbabel. GOD’s vision was completed at this time, and the nation grew once again for more than four centuries, despite being ruled over by Gentile powers.
There will come a day when Israel will accept Jesus as their Messiah and this will inaugurate the Kingdom of Israel, and then, any walls will serve decorative purposes only!
NEHEMIAH 12:1-5
1 Now these are the priests and the Levites who came up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, 2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, 3 Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, 4 Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah, 5 Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,
One of the tests to prove the authenticity of any document, particularly the historical kind is consistency; the same names of people and places and their relationships to one another remain the same throughout the text or in this case, the book of Nehemiah as well as the associated book of Ezra.
Many of the same names that are seen above are mentioned in NEH 10:2-8; 12:14-17; EZRA 2:1-2 and LUKE 1:5. We see consistency throughout the Bible where doctrine is concerned as well. Where people will often cite opposing verses that seem to contradict each other, they overlook who the text is intended for (Israel? The Gentile nations? The Church?) and which covenant is applicable to the verses.
From the Annotated Bible Notes:Ezra, (which is not Ezra the scribe, but) a priest of the preceding generation bearing the same name; or perhaps Azariah, NEH 10:2
Many of the priests and Levites who returned from Babylon (12:1-26) attend the dedication of the city walls, to sing praise (27-43); and others are appointed as store-keepers and porters (44-47). The Levites, not all of them, but only the most distinguished are here named. Compare NEH 7:39-45 and EZRA 2:36 etc.
NEHEMIAH 12:6-7
6 Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah, 7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah. These were the heads of the priests and their brethren in the days of Jeshua.
The same consistency is found in the above two verses with citations from Scripture elsewhere such as EZRA 3:2; NEH 12:20; HAGG 1:1 and ZECH 3:1.
There is strong archeological evidence by way of artifacts and materials that prove that such people did exist in history; that there were not "cleverly devised fables". but real live people.
These priests were divided into twenty-four orders or courses in number, all subordinate to each other, as established by David in 1 CHRON 24:18 (elaborated on in vss. 23-24). And these orders or courses were continued till the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.
These priests (as listed above and here below) were to oversee the Psalms of thanksgiving sung at every morning and evening burnt sacrifice.
NEHEMIAH 12:8-21
8 Moreover the Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah who led the thanksgiving psalms, he and his brethren. 9 Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, stood across from them in their duties. 10 Jeshua begot Joiakim, Joiakim begot Eliashib, Eliashib begot Joiada, 11 Joiada begot Jonathan, and Jonathan begot Jaddua.
12 Now in the days of Joiakim, the priests, the heads of the fathers' houses were: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; 13 of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; 14 of Melichu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph; 15 of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; 16 of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam; 17 of Abijah, Zichri; the son of Minjamin; of Moadiah, Piltai; 18 of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; 19 of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; 20 of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; 21 of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; and of Jedaiah, Nethanel.
As always, the Levitical priests, such as “Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah” led in the worship of YHWH. This is as much a sacred duty as it is the highest honor to “…worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness…” (PSA 29:2: 96:9).
It troubles me greatly that too many see the worship service in church as a musical “set” or entertainment, or a sing-along. Too many Christians forego the time of worship, showing up late in the service only just in time to hear the Word preached and taught.
Of course, we give the highest priority to the Word in its teaching and exposition, to applying its truth to our lives, and most of all, sitting at the feet of JESUS as it were, and learning of Him.
Yet our time in offering worship to GOD is our time to minister to our Abba Father and Holy GOD. As New Testament priests we are in serious violation if we neglect this ministry. And such should never be allocated to the church service alone – our time of worship should be found in our homes, in our commute to and from work, in our personal time, and whenever the Spirit moves us to honor GOD with both our lips AND our hearts and not like Israel was guilty of (and too many churches in America today):
22 During the reign of Darius the Persian, a record was also kept of the Levites and priests who had been heads of their fathers' houses in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua. 23 The sons of Levi, the heads of the fathers' houses until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib, were written in the book of the chronicles. 24 And the heads of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers across from them, to praise and give thanks, group alternating with group, according to the command of David the man of God. 25 Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers keeping the watch at the storerooms of the gates. 26 These lived in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.
It's worthy to note that Jaddua who became the high priest and ministered in the days of Darius lived long enough to see the days of Alexander the Great. The Macedonian Conqueror of Persia was coming from devastating Tyre and Gaza and was on his way to level Jerusalem when Jaddua met him with his fellow priests:
There were often large chambers just inside the gate areas used for storage, but these rooms were also employed for use by potentates and their deputies to conduct foreign affairs.
When the LORD Jesus Christ spoke of “the gates of hell” (MATT 16:18), he was referring to the hierarchy of satanic powers, from Satan on down to the lowest of demons (EPH 6:12). He clearly stated that these gates will not prevail against the church, which is founded on the Rock, the LORD Jesus Christ.
We may see certain ministries such as worship as being “more spiritual” than running the church charity pantry, but we must remember that if we are engaged in anything in the name of the LORD, by the very fact we are doing it for the LORD, it’s inherently spiritual and will be rewarded for service faithfully rendered (MATT 10:42; MARK 9:41).
NEHEMIAH 12:27-31
27 ¶ Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps. 28 And the sons of the singers gathered together from the countryside around Jerusalem, from the villages of the Netophathites, 29 from the house of Gilgal, and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth; for the singers had built themselves villages all around Jerusalem. 30 Then the priests and Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, the gates, and the wall. 31 So I brought the leaders of Judah up on the wall and appointed two large thanksgiving choirs. One went to the right hand on the wall toward the Refuse Gate.
At the beginning of this study, we spoke about transformation; firstly, the transformative actions taken to restore the walls of Jerusalem, and having secured these, the Jewish people could more readily focus on the restoration of the city itself without fear of sudden attacks by her many enemies. Secondly, there is the restoration of the people themselves.
The people of Israel needed to have their love and passion for GOD restored, and for that to happen, there was great need for repentance – in the neglecting of worship of the LORD, and for the oppressive conduct the Jews were perpetrating on their poorer brethren.
Over the course of these many chapters we have witnessed this triumphant transformation, and this should greatly encourage us.
While Jerusalem was an absolute wreck, devastated, scorched rubble and burned gates, the LORD put it into the heart of one man – Nehemiah to commence the work. His commitment and passion were contagious, and soon the people had a heart to work!
The City of Peace was restored and remained all the way to 70 AD where it was once again ruined by the Gentile powers (in that case, the Romans). And though the city and the nation were desolated for over 1800 years, what do we see today?
Jerusalem is thriving, Israel is prosperous, the nation is growing. GOD had remained true to His Word concerning the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacon, blessing the people by His grace who have been revived from seeming genocide to the nation they are today.
GOD has likewise made promises to you, Christian who is born of His Spirit! And just as He has been faithful to Israel, He will also be faithful to the church according to His grace.
The people under Nehemiah celebrated the dedication of the wall, and all Jerusalem. They praised the LORD with gladness, having entered His gates with thanksgiving!
32 After them went Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah, 33 and Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 34 Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, 35 and some of the priests' sons with trumpets-Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph, 36 and his brethren, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. Ezra the scribe went before them. 37 By the Fountain Gate, in front of them, they went up the stairs of the City of David, on the stairway of the wall, beyond the house of David, as far as the Water Gate eastward.
In Israel there were two types of trumpets – the silver trumpets used in the Temple for religious occasions, and the rams horns which were used for the purpose of war. When Joshua confronted Jericho with the intent on bringing down their defensive walls, rams horns were sounded.
Here in our passage, we see the silver trumpets, sounded by priests on the occasion of celebration and dedication of the wall. This shows that while the wall represented a political ideology as well as a social construct to protect the Jewish people, it’s aligned with the religious or spiritual mandate of Israel – that is, to be a light to the Gentiles, to preserve the Law of GOD and the holy oracles (ROM 3:2), to dominate the land that GOD had given to them, which certainly includes Jerusalem which is not (according to the UN) an international city!
Obviously, Israel would need a defense against adversarial opposition to survive and be a witness to the nations, etc. The wall then is a necessity.
Walls being inanimate objects are neutral in morality – they are neither good nor bad in themselves. Walls such as those that surrounded Jerusalem, or the wall that now separates the so-called “Palestinians” from Israel are necessities, to prevent an enemy from infiltration and any inimical activities that they would intend
The wall that separated East Germany from West Germany (commonly referred to as the Iron Curtain) was presumably a bad thing, because it kept East German people subject to Communist rule from escaping (while at the same time, keeping West Germans safe from infiltration).
The wall that President-elect Trump for his second term (2024-2028) is intending to complete (despite interferences from the Democratic Left) will preserve our national identity as Americans by disallowing non-American, illegal aliens into our nation (reducing their options down to just one: entering via asylum by legal means). We must be diligent always, because in the future, if a extreme Leftist ever gained control of the Presidency such a wall would become a liability (just as the Iron Curtain did).
So, the path that the priests and Ezra the Scribe took in their procession about the city of Jerusalem extended from the Fountain Gate, passed the House (or Palace) of David and up to the Water Gate. That would encompass about a quarter of the entire wall (the lower right quarter).
NEHEMIAH 12:38-43
38 The other thanksgiving choir went the opposite way, and I was behind them with half of the people on the wall, going past the Tower of the Ovens as far as the Broad Wall, 39 and above the Gate of Ephraim, above the Old Gate, above the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate; and they stopped by the Gate of the Prison. 40 So the two thanksgiving choirs stood in the house of God, likewise I and the half of the rulers with me; 41 and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Minjamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; 42 also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. The singers sang loudly with Jezrahiah the director. 43 Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off.
The other half of this thanksgiving choir (I like the sound of that!) traveled from the same point as the prior group and moved up along the lower left quarter of the wall, extending all the way up to the Ephraim Gate (about three quarters of the western wall). Then they continued on until they reached the farthest northern point of the Prison Gate (located at the very center of the northern wall).
We derive the joy of the LORD from standing on the truths and promises of GOD. GOD and His immutable truth are a sure foundation that cannot be shaken but will endure just so long as GOD Himself endures (which is for eternity in case you’re asking).
There is security there, assurance, safety, peace which leads to prosperity, fulfillment, and as we maintain a right heart will always result in thanksgiving, praise and worship of our Great GOD! Without that right heart however, we will become fat, lazy, unappreciative, selfish, and the most prosperous that holds the most power will begin to oppress and violate the less prosperous.
This happened with Israel in the days of ISAIAH and JEREMIAH (and in EZEKIEL's day):
Check out ISAIAH 58; JERE 23; EZEL 34!
For more information on this check out the TTUF article: BEING A RESTORER, REPAIRER, a TRUE SERVANT & SHEPHERD OVER GOD’s SHEEP.
Yet if we continue on to know the LORD, and rest in His covenant promises, we can experience the ever-present flow of peace and joy as we partake of the grace of GOD. And the LORD has certainly made irrevocable covenants with Israel, namely the Abrahamic, Davidic and Land Covenants.
And for us Gentiles, we are partakers with Israel (those who believe in Y’shua the Messiah) in the New Covenant, which is just as binding and irrevocable!
NEHEMIAH 12:44-47
44 ¶ And at the same time some were appointed over the rooms of the storehouse for the offerings, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites; for Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who ministered. 45 Both the singers and the gatekeepers kept the charge of their God and the charge of the purification, according to the command of David and Solomon his son. 46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chiefs of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. 47 In the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah all Israel gave the portions for the singers and the gatekeepers, a portion for each day. They also consecrated holy things for the Levites, and the Levites consecrated them for the children of Aaron.
In a New Testament sense, these who were appointed over the storehouses of offerings, firstfruits and tithes (for the use) of the priests and Levites would be today’s treasurers or in a broader sense, board directors – any who would be responsible for the safe keeping of finances that would be used by any paid pastoral staff.
In today’s world, there has been a lot of harsh criticism about pastors under salary, and this is quite understandable, considering that there are many (so-called) pastors who are more intent on fleecing, rather than feeding the flock. This is most especially true of the Word-Faith televangelists of our day who live in extravagant, luxurious homes all the while receiving offerings paid with elderly people’s Social Security checks, who live in near-poverty conditions.
The LORD Jesus had scathing rebukes towards the religious leaders of His day:
Once a church grows to a certain size where a pastor’s time cannot be divided between employment and ministry without the flock suffering need, then the pastor should receive some material income, but never one that’s significantly above the mean average of the flock (in other words, he should have the capability of blessing someone financially without impeding the needs of his own family).
Paul the apostle stated that such is a right of any minister committed to the service of the church:
He didn’t want to be lumped together with those sort and have people say, “Paul is no better than the rest of them! He’s just as money hungry as they are!”
So, he resorted to “tentmaking” instead, working by day and ministering by night:
“…They also consecrated holy things for the Levites, and the Levites consecrated them for the children of Aaron”
What is the difference between sanctification and consecration?
Things can be consecrated for special, spiritual and religious use. Church buildings are often consecrated when the building is used for no other purpose.
The implements and furnishings of the Tabernacle and later, the Temple of Israel were all consecrated – dedicated to the LORD for special use.
Consecration can also apply to people – Christians who are dedicated to the LORD. The Old Testament equivalent would be the Levitical priests or even a Nazarite; also the prophets and kings – as all of these (Nazarites excepted) would be anointed with oil, authenticating the consecration.
Sanctification on the other hand refers only to people, specifically to saints. The word sanctify and saint come from the same Greek root word hagios. We are initially sanctified once we are born again and become members of the body of Christ. We are separated spiritually speaking from the world. We are no longer of the world even as our LORD is not of this world (JOHN 17:16).
But that is only the beginning of the sanctification process. We are separated from the world, are joined to Christ and are members of “the invisible church”. Then we undergo the continual process of “be[ing] transformed by the renewing of [our] mind[s]” (ROM 12:2).
Essentially, we become more and more in nature, in character with the LORD Jesus Christ (though our GOD-given personality is intact, but purified). This process is ongoing for the duration of our lives here on Earth. We will never see a completion of this process until we see the LORD Face to face, then “we shall be [made completely] like Him” (1 JOHN 3:2).
On that Blessed Day we shall be made utterly complete in Christ, body and soul!
Next, I plan on getting to the book that follows the Pentateuch (GENESIS to DEUTERONOMY – you can find TTUF studies on all five books under the Bible Study Tab on the site or by using the search engine): the book of JOSHUA!
Your prayers are greatly appreciated! Also please pray for a MAJOR project that I’ve been thinking on – an exhaustive study entitled: GOD’s PERFECT PLAN: The GOSPEL.
These priests were divided into twenty-four orders or courses in number, all subordinate to each other, as established by David in 1 CHRON 24:18 (elaborated on in vss. 23-24). And these orders or courses were continued till the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.
These priests (as listed above and here below) were to oversee the Psalms of thanksgiving sung at every morning and evening burnt sacrifice.
NEHEMIAH 12:8-21
8 Moreover the Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah who led the thanksgiving psalms, he and his brethren. 9 Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, stood across from them in their duties. 10 Jeshua begot Joiakim, Joiakim begot Eliashib, Eliashib begot Joiada, 11 Joiada begot Jonathan, and Jonathan begot Jaddua.
12 Now in the days of Joiakim, the priests, the heads of the fathers' houses were: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; 13 of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; 14 of Melichu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph; 15 of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; 16 of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam; 17 of Abijah, Zichri; the son of Minjamin; of Moadiah, Piltai; 18 of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; 19 of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; 20 of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; 21 of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; and of Jedaiah, Nethanel.
As always, the Levitical priests, such as “Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah” led in the worship of YHWH. This is as much a sacred duty as it is the highest honor to “…worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness…” (PSA 29:2: 96:9).
It troubles me greatly that too many see the worship service in church as a musical “set” or entertainment, or a sing-along. Too many Christians forego the time of worship, showing up late in the service only just in time to hear the Word preached and taught.
Of course, we give the highest priority to the Word in its teaching and exposition, to applying its truth to our lives, and most of all, sitting at the feet of JESUS as it were, and learning of Him.
Yet our time in offering worship to GOD is our time to minister to our Abba Father and Holy GOD. As New Testament priests we are in serious violation if we neglect this ministry. And such should never be allocated to the church service alone – our time of worship should be found in our homes, in our commute to and from work, in our personal time, and whenever the Spirit moves us to honor GOD with both our lips AND our hearts and not like Israel was guilty of (and too many churches in America today):
ISAIAH 29:13NEHEMIAH 12:22-26
Therefore the Lord said: "Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
22 During the reign of Darius the Persian, a record was also kept of the Levites and priests who had been heads of their fathers' houses in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua. 23 The sons of Levi, the heads of the fathers' houses until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib, were written in the book of the chronicles. 24 And the heads of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers across from them, to praise and give thanks, group alternating with group, according to the command of David the man of God. 25 Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers keeping the watch at the storerooms of the gates. 26 These lived in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.
It's worthy to note that Jaddua who became the high priest and ministered in the days of Darius lived long enough to see the days of Alexander the Great. The Macedonian Conqueror of Persia was coming from devastating Tyre and Gaza and was on his way to level Jerusalem when Jaddua met him with his fellow priests:
“…to meet Alexander the Great, when he was advancing towards Jerusalem, with the purpose to destroy it... Alexander was so struck with the appearance of the priest, that he forbore all hostilities against Jerusalem, prostrated himself before Jaddua, worshipped the Lord at the temple, and granted many privileges to the Jews.Some of these priests were given the ministry of worship, others involved in sacrificial offerings, still others were put in charge of keeping the various “storerooms of the gates”.
See Josephus, ANT. lib. xi., c. 3, and Prideaux's Connections, lib. 7, p. 695.
There were often large chambers just inside the gate areas used for storage, but these rooms were also employed for use by potentates and their deputies to conduct foreign affairs.
When the LORD Jesus Christ spoke of “the gates of hell” (MATT 16:18), he was referring to the hierarchy of satanic powers, from Satan on down to the lowest of demons (EPH 6:12). He clearly stated that these gates will not prevail against the church, which is founded on the Rock, the LORD Jesus Christ.
We may see certain ministries such as worship as being “more spiritual” than running the church charity pantry, but we must remember that if we are engaged in anything in the name of the LORD, by the very fact we are doing it for the LORD, it’s inherently spiritual and will be rewarded for service faithfully rendered (MATT 10:42; MARK 9:41).
NEHEMIAH 12:27-31
27 ¶ Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps. 28 And the sons of the singers gathered together from the countryside around Jerusalem, from the villages of the Netophathites, 29 from the house of Gilgal, and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth; for the singers had built themselves villages all around Jerusalem. 30 Then the priests and Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, the gates, and the wall. 31 So I brought the leaders of Judah up on the wall and appointed two large thanksgiving choirs. One went to the right hand on the wall toward the Refuse Gate.
At the beginning of this study, we spoke about transformation; firstly, the transformative actions taken to restore the walls of Jerusalem, and having secured these, the Jewish people could more readily focus on the restoration of the city itself without fear of sudden attacks by her many enemies. Secondly, there is the restoration of the people themselves.
The people of Israel needed to have their love and passion for GOD restored, and for that to happen, there was great need for repentance – in the neglecting of worship of the LORD, and for the oppressive conduct the Jews were perpetrating on their poorer brethren.
Over the course of these many chapters we have witnessed this triumphant transformation, and this should greatly encourage us.
While Jerusalem was an absolute wreck, devastated, scorched rubble and burned gates, the LORD put it into the heart of one man – Nehemiah to commence the work. His commitment and passion were contagious, and soon the people had a heart to work!
The City of Peace was restored and remained all the way to 70 AD where it was once again ruined by the Gentile powers (in that case, the Romans). And though the city and the nation were desolated for over 1800 years, what do we see today?
Jerusalem is thriving, Israel is prosperous, the nation is growing. GOD had remained true to His Word concerning the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacon, blessing the people by His grace who have been revived from seeming genocide to the nation they are today.
GOD has likewise made promises to you, Christian who is born of His Spirit! And just as He has been faithful to Israel, He will also be faithful to the church according to His grace.
The people under Nehemiah celebrated the dedication of the wall, and all Jerusalem. They praised the LORD with gladness, having entered His gates with thanksgiving!
PSALM 100:1-5NEHEMIAH 12:32-37
1 Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! 2 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. 3 Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name. 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.
32 After them went Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah, 33 and Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 34 Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, 35 and some of the priests' sons with trumpets-Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph, 36 and his brethren, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. Ezra the scribe went before them. 37 By the Fountain Gate, in front of them, they went up the stairs of the City of David, on the stairway of the wall, beyond the house of David, as far as the Water Gate eastward.
In Israel there were two types of trumpets – the silver trumpets used in the Temple for religious occasions, and the rams horns which were used for the purpose of war. When Joshua confronted Jericho with the intent on bringing down their defensive walls, rams horns were sounded.
Here in our passage, we see the silver trumpets, sounded by priests on the occasion of celebration and dedication of the wall. This shows that while the wall represented a political ideology as well as a social construct to protect the Jewish people, it’s aligned with the religious or spiritual mandate of Israel – that is, to be a light to the Gentiles, to preserve the Law of GOD and the holy oracles (ROM 3:2), to dominate the land that GOD had given to them, which certainly includes Jerusalem which is not (according to the UN) an international city!
Obviously, Israel would need a defense against adversarial opposition to survive and be a witness to the nations, etc. The wall then is a necessity.
Walls being inanimate objects are neutral in morality – they are neither good nor bad in themselves. Walls such as those that surrounded Jerusalem, or the wall that now separates the so-called “Palestinians” from Israel are necessities, to prevent an enemy from infiltration and any inimical activities that they would intend
The wall that President-elect Trump for his second term (2024-2028) is intending to complete (despite interferences from the Democratic Left) will preserve our national identity as Americans by disallowing non-American, illegal aliens into our nation (reducing their options down to just one: entering via asylum by legal means). We must be diligent always, because in the future, if a extreme Leftist ever gained control of the Presidency such a wall would become a liability (just as the Iron Curtain did).
So, the path that the priests and Ezra the Scribe took in their procession about the city of Jerusalem extended from the Fountain Gate, passed the House (or Palace) of David and up to the Water Gate. That would encompass about a quarter of the entire wall (the lower right quarter).
NEHEMIAH 12:38-43
38 The other thanksgiving choir went the opposite way, and I was behind them with half of the people on the wall, going past the Tower of the Ovens as far as the Broad Wall, 39 and above the Gate of Ephraim, above the Old Gate, above the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate; and they stopped by the Gate of the Prison. 40 So the two thanksgiving choirs stood in the house of God, likewise I and the half of the rulers with me; 41 and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Minjamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; 42 also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. The singers sang loudly with Jezrahiah the director. 43 Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off.
The other half of this thanksgiving choir (I like the sound of that!) traveled from the same point as the prior group and moved up along the lower left quarter of the wall, extending all the way up to the Ephraim Gate (about three quarters of the western wall). Then they continued on until they reached the farthest northern point of the Prison Gate (located at the very center of the northern wall).
We derive the joy of the LORD from standing on the truths and promises of GOD. GOD and His immutable truth are a sure foundation that cannot be shaken but will endure just so long as GOD Himself endures (which is for eternity in case you’re asking).
There is security there, assurance, safety, peace which leads to prosperity, fulfillment, and as we maintain a right heart will always result in thanksgiving, praise and worship of our Great GOD! Without that right heart however, we will become fat, lazy, unappreciative, selfish, and the most prosperous that holds the most power will begin to oppress and violate the less prosperous.
This happened with Israel in the days of ISAIAH and JEREMIAH (and in EZEKIEL's day):
Check out ISAIAH 58; JERE 23; EZEL 34!
For more information on this check out the TTUF article: BEING A RESTORER, REPAIRER, a TRUE SERVANT & SHEPHERD OVER GOD’s SHEEP.
Yet if we continue on to know the LORD, and rest in His covenant promises, we can experience the ever-present flow of peace and joy as we partake of the grace of GOD. And the LORD has certainly made irrevocable covenants with Israel, namely the Abrahamic, Davidic and Land Covenants.
And for us Gentiles, we are partakers with Israel (those who believe in Y’shua the Messiah) in the New Covenant, which is just as binding and irrevocable!
NEHEMIAH 12:44-47
44 ¶ And at the same time some were appointed over the rooms of the storehouse for the offerings, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites; for Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who ministered. 45 Both the singers and the gatekeepers kept the charge of their God and the charge of the purification, according to the command of David and Solomon his son. 46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chiefs of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. 47 In the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah all Israel gave the portions for the singers and the gatekeepers, a portion for each day. They also consecrated holy things for the Levites, and the Levites consecrated them for the children of Aaron.
In a New Testament sense, these who were appointed over the storehouses of offerings, firstfruits and tithes (for the use) of the priests and Levites would be today’s treasurers or in a broader sense, board directors – any who would be responsible for the safe keeping of finances that would be used by any paid pastoral staff.
In today’s world, there has been a lot of harsh criticism about pastors under salary, and this is quite understandable, considering that there are many (so-called) pastors who are more intent on fleecing, rather than feeding the flock. This is most especially true of the Word-Faith televangelists of our day who live in extravagant, luxurious homes all the while receiving offerings paid with elderly people’s Social Security checks, who live in near-poverty conditions.
The LORD Jesus had scathing rebukes towards the religious leaders of His day:
MATTHEW 23:14A good rule of thumb is that if a church is too small and therefore possibly too poor to pay a pastor, then he should get gainful employment. Usually if a body is of such a small size, the pastoral needs won’t be so demanding, and that will allow him to be employed and still tend to the needs of the flock.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore, you will receive greater condemnation.
LUKE 16:11-15
11 "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 "And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? 13 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." 14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. 15 And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Once a church grows to a certain size where a pastor’s time cannot be divided between employment and ministry without the flock suffering need, then the pastor should receive some material income, but never one that’s significantly above the mean average of the flock (in other words, he should have the capability of blessing someone financially without impeding the needs of his own family).
Paul the apostle stated that such is a right of any minister committed to the service of the church:
1 CORINTHIANS 9:9-15Paul mentioned “others” that have used this right of payment, but when he states that he has “used none of these things” it’s because these “others” had abused this right, taking exorbitant funds, causing want among the flock.
9 For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless, we have not used this right but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. 15 ¶ But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.
He didn’t want to be lumped together with those sort and have people say, “Paul is no better than the rest of them! He’s just as money hungry as they are!”
So, he resorted to “tentmaking” instead, working by day and ministering by night:
ACTS 20:33-34NEHEMIAH 12:47b
33 "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 "Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.
“…They also consecrated holy things for the Levites, and the Levites consecrated them for the children of Aaron”
What is the difference between sanctification and consecration?
Things can be consecrated for special, spiritual and religious use. Church buildings are often consecrated when the building is used for no other purpose.
The implements and furnishings of the Tabernacle and later, the Temple of Israel were all consecrated – dedicated to the LORD for special use.
Consecration can also apply to people – Christians who are dedicated to the LORD. The Old Testament equivalent would be the Levitical priests or even a Nazarite; also the prophets and kings – as all of these (Nazarites excepted) would be anointed with oil, authenticating the consecration.
Sanctification on the other hand refers only to people, specifically to saints. The word sanctify and saint come from the same Greek root word hagios. We are initially sanctified once we are born again and become members of the body of Christ. We are separated spiritually speaking from the world. We are no longer of the world even as our LORD is not of this world (JOHN 17:16).
But that is only the beginning of the sanctification process. We are separated from the world, are joined to Christ and are members of “the invisible church”. Then we undergo the continual process of “be[ing] transformed by the renewing of [our] mind[s]” (ROM 12:2).
Essentially, we become more and more in nature, in character with the LORD Jesus Christ (though our GOD-given personality is intact, but purified). This process is ongoing for the duration of our lives here on Earth. We will never see a completion of this process until we see the LORD Face to face, then “we shall be [made completely] like Him” (1 JOHN 3:2).
On that Blessed Day we shall be made utterly complete in Christ, body and soul!
1 CORINTHIANS 15:52-54This brings us to the end of Chapter 12 of this amazing book! One more to go and we’ll have finished Nehemiah!
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
Next, I plan on getting to the book that follows the Pentateuch (GENESIS to DEUTERONOMY – you can find TTUF studies on all five books under the Bible Study Tab on the site or by using the search engine): the book of JOSHUA!
Your prayers are greatly appreciated! Also please pray for a MAJOR project that I’ve been thinking on – an exhaustive study entitled: GOD’s PERFECT PLAN: The GOSPEL.
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