Global Church of the Nazarene DAY 37 OF 40 - Better Together Through Prayer And The Word

Global Church of the Nazarene DAY 37 OF 40 - Better Together Through Prayer And The Word

Nehemiah 12:27-30

27 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. 28 And the sons of the singers gathered together from the district surrounding Jerusalem and from the villages of the Netophathites; 29 also from Beth-gilgal and from the region of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built for themselves villages around Jerusalem. 30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and they purified the people and the gates and the wall.

DAY 37 – DEDICATING OF THE WALL TO GOD

The wall is built; the covenant with God is made; people have moved in; and now is time to dedicate the wall to God…

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 12:27 At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with giving thanks, and with singing, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and with harps. 28 The sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain around Jerusalem, and from the villages of the Netophathites; 29 also from Beth Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had built them villages around Jerusalem. 30 The priests and the Levites purified themselves; and they purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

In these verses we find the preparation for the dedication… 1) Levites (temple workers) were brought to Jerusalem. 2) The Levites brought songs to sing and instruments to play. 3) Other singers were brought together from other villages around Jerusalem. 4) The priests and Levites purified themselves ceremonially. 5) The priests and Levites purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

It was set to be an amazing day. It demanded “a business of planning, proclaiming, assembling and rehearsing.” The Levites were brought in from surrounding areas to sing and play instruments, but there was a group of singers that lived in certain “singers” villages around Jerusalem. Only singers lived in these villages. I wonder what a day would be like there…beautiful music…all of the time!!! No need for radio, CD, DVD, or IPODS in those towns!

A very important part of the dedication was the preliminary purification of the structure and of the participants in the ceremony. Those who had been involved in secular affairs had to go through this purification…cleansing. Priests were always purified before a ceremony, and laypersons had to be purified before they could join in the ritual. This cleansing was accomplished by washing, bathing, fasting, or by sprinkling with holy water or the blood of the sacrifice.

LIFE APPLICATION: YouTube video by Don Moen, “Our Father, As We Worship You, Here We Are and Have Your Way.” <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oNf1MtjChFI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>(Or any other praise and worship music challenging your heart to a deeper walk with Jesus!) May you feel a cleansing through the blood of Jesus!!!!

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