Nehemiah, Day 6
Nehemiah Chapters 12 – 13
Building the City Wall, and Building Godly People
What a celebration!
The long construction project was finished and the Jerusalem wall was completed, prompting the festival in Nehemiah chapter 12. The Levites were singing, giving thanks, and playing their musical instruments. The singers even set up villages around Jerusalem (12:29). Everyone was there. It was a joyous occasion, conducted according to the Levitical law as priests and people were purified (12:30). Though they had been exposed to foreign music for 70 years, the musicians used the types of instruments (“instruments of David”) that were used in the dedication of Solomon’s temple. The festival was heard all around the countryside.
This celebration was a dedication, not only of the city wall, but of many servants of God: the overseers for the gifts; the directors of music; gatekeepers; and the many people giving gifts. The people dedicated themselves by separating from the neighboring pagans (13:3). It was a glorious time.
Then, after a while, things went downhill. When Nehemiah was out of town, the high priest set up un-ordained personal chambers in the Temple to house his relative (13:4 – 5). The Levites were not getting “paid,” so they had to go out and work the fields instead of serving in the Temple (13:10). Israelites were working on the Sabbath (13:15). Foreign merchants were peddling wares on the Sabbath (13:16). And priests had married foreign women (13:28).
Under those conditions, when Nehemiah came back, his building project changed to other very important work. Having directed rebuilding the wall, he now directed the Israelites in rebuilding a good relationship with God. Nehemiah addressed the people’s sins and the Israelites returned to more righteous living. Holiness requires diligence, and holy leaders can promote holiness in a nation. But even righteous living is not enough to save a man’s soul. We all need a redeemer.
Today, we can see the completion of the wall as prophetic of our redemption by Christ, and see the city wall as a small vision of the magnificent New Jerusalem that is to come. As described in Revelation 21:1 – 3, when New Jerusalem came down out of heaven, John “heard a loud voice out of the throne, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men.” The city is God’s dwelling place.
Who are the residents of the New Jerusalem? The Father and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) are there (Revelation 21:22). Angels are at the gates. But the city will be filled with God’s redeemed children. The New Jerusalem is the righteous counter to the evil Babylon destroyed by God’s judgment (Revelation Chapters 17 – 18). The wicked had their city, and God has His. If you believe that Jesus, the Son of God, died and rose again and have asked God to save you by His grace, then you are a citizen of the New Jerusalem. “God raised [you] up with Christ and seated [you] with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).
To which city do you belong? Babylon or the New Jerusalem?
In service of our Jesus, our Lord and Savior,
Andy Nordquist
Some text is from “Got Questions Ministries.”