Celebrating what God has done
The story of exiles returning to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem culminates to a climax in Neh 12:27-47. It is like a happy ending to the story. With the wall now completed, all the people gathered to celebrate its dedication. “And on that they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given hem great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away”. We could almost hear their loud cheers in our ears.
Why were they so happy? What did the completion of the wall mean to them? Imagine you were one of the people who travelled all the way back to Judah to help restore Jerusalem. Bring to mind what you saw and experienced. Remember how you and all the other builders started working on the wall under the leadership of Nehemiah. Remember the heaps of rubble that you had to clear and how hard you worked. Remember the trouble and opposition from the enemies. Recall the snares, insults and threats thrown at you, and how you all worked on despite great fear of attacks. Remember how Ezra read the Law and you with all the people cried, confessed the sins of Israel and renewed the Covenant with God. What were some of your struggles and feelings that you had experienced? What would you have learned through all that you went through? How would you have been changed by this whole experience?
Interestingly, we are told way back in chapter 6 that the wall was completed (6:15). Y et the account of the dedication event is placed at almost the end of the book in chapter 12, following the accounts of the reading of the Law, the confession of sins and the renewing of the covenant in chapters 8 – 10, telling us that spiritual renewal and reformation of the community have taken place. Through hearing and reflecting on God’s word and Israel’s past, the people came to understand God’s sovereign plan and gracious redeeming acts. Confession of sins brought renewal and rededication as they pledged to commit their allegiance to God. No wonder they were so full of thankfulness and joy at the dedication of the wall.
After all the celebration is not about the wall. The wall is just a means not an end. It is about God’s people, that they can gather again in their city to experience God. It is about the community that God continues to shape and teach. The celebration is about God’s ongoing work that brings renewal and restoration to his people.
May we also be renewed with spiritual vigor and dedication of our hearts. Let us pray with a canticle in closing:
Thank the Lord and sing his praise; tell everyone what he has done. Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and proudly bear his name. He recalls his promises and leads his people forth in joy with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia. Alleluia. (Lutheran Book of Worship)
We are going to look at Nehemiah ch. 11 and 12 this Sunday. Please read it beforehand as it is a long passage. See you Sunday.
Josephine Chow
Devotional