A Ministry of Gratitude

Context of the Passage:

These chapters describes Nehemiah’s efforts to restore Jerusalem as the Holy City for the Jewish people.  They list those who repopulated the city, describe the celebration of the dedication of the wall, and the thanksgiving offered to God.

Outline of the Passage

11:1-12:26 – The Repopulation of Jerusalem

12:27-43 – The Dedication of the Wall

12:44-47 – Spiritual preparations for Worship

Exegesis of the Passage

11:1 – Repopulating Jerusalem

• The leaders were already in Jerusalem
• To determine who would join them, lots were cast to choose 1 out of 10 families to relocate to the Holy city.
• See 10:37 – the people had just committed to tithing of their produce, now they committed to tithing of themselves

11:2 – Freely offered

• The people who were “chosen” by lot seemed to have also had a choice
  • This verse says that they willingly offered themselves
• See 2 Chron 17:16 for another leader who willingly offered himself to the work of the Lord

11:3-12:26 – Those who willingly came

• The naming of the people indicates the value placed on their willingness
• Different groups among them:
  • Ministers to the Lord (11:3, 17, 22)
    • Priests, Levites, singers
  • Leadership positions (11:9, 11; 12:31)
  • Military leaders (11:6, 14)
  • Administrative positions (11:16, 24)
  • Those in charge of keeping historical records (12:22)
  • Choirs (12:31)

12:27 – This begins the description of the celebration of the dedication of the wall

• The leaders were “sought out” and “brought” to Jerusalem to assist in the celebration
• The purpose was to celebrate with singing and thanksgiving
  • Accompanying the celebration were instruments: cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps.

12:30 – The priests and Levites purified themselves

• To prepare to lead in worship, the leaders prepared themselves spiritually

12:31 – On the Wall

• The celebration took place on the walls
• Nehemiah prepared 2 thanksgiving choirs to lead in the celebration

12:43 – Great sacrifices

• The abundance of sacrifice indicates the joy of the celebration and the sincerity of the thanksgiving being offered
• They were grateful “for God made them rejoice with great joy.”
  • They recognized that God was the source of their joy

12:44 – Other Ministers were appointed for specific tasks in preparation for the celebration

12:45 – According to the command

• Nehemiah and the people were careful to follow Scripture in all of their preparations

Sermon on the Passage

A Ministry of Gratitude

1. Grateful People are Willing to be Used by God (11:1-2)
   • 11:2 – They “willingly offered themselves”
2. Grateful People are Generous People (12:43)
   • Because God had made them rejoice – that’s way!
     • Because we have been given much …
   • Their JOY was heard a long way off
     • When was the last time people “overheard” you being joyful
3. Grateful People Honor Faithful Servants of the Lord (12:44)
   • The people rejoiced over those who served
   • They recognized these as gifts of God
   • They Provided for them
4. Grateful People Strive to be Holy People (12:45)
   • They didn’t just live in a holy city; they sought to become holy people
   • Cf. 12:30
5. Grateful People Offer Genuine Thanksgiving to God (12:46)
   • NOTE: Prayer, praise, and Thanksgiving
   • 11:17 – He was a leader in Thanksgiving!
   • 12:46 – regularly – daily
     • Not just on Thanksgiving Day
   • Ill.  Deut. 8 – Be careful that you do not forget