Priests and Levites 12 These were the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Joshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, 2 Amariah, Malluk, Hattush, 3 Shekaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, 4 Iddo, Ginnethon, Abijah, 5 Mijamin, Moadiah, Bilgah, 6 Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah, 7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah and Jedaiah. These were the leaders of the priests and their associates in the days of Joshua. 8 The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and also Mattaniah, who, together with his associates, was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving. 9 Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood opposite them in the services. 10 Joshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim the father of Eliashib, Eliashib the father of Joiada, 11 Joiada the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan the father of Jaddua. 12 In the days of Joiakim, these were the heads of the priestly families: of Seraiah’s family, Meraiah; of Jeremiah’s, Hananiah; 13 of Ezra’s, Meshullam; of Amariah’s, Jehohanan; 14 of Malluk’s, Jonathan; of Shekaniah’s, Joseph; 15 of Harim’s, Adna; of Meremoth’s, Helkai; 16 of Iddo’s, Zechariah; of Ginnethon’s, Meshullam; 17 of Abijah’s, Zikri; of Miniamin’s and of Moadiah’s, Piltai; 18 of Bilgah’s, Shammua; of Shemaiah’s, Jehonathan; 19 of Joiarib’s, Mattenai; of Jedaiah’s, Uzzi; 20 of Sallu’s, Kallai; of Amok’s, Eber; 21 of Hilkiah’s, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah’s, Nethanel. 22 The family heads of the Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan and Jaddua, as well as those of the priests, were recorded in the reign of Darius the Persian. 23 The family heads among the descendants of Levi up to the time of Johanan son of Eliashib were recorded in the book of the annals. 24 And the leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua son of Kadmiel, and their associates, who stood opposite them to give praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other, as prescribed by David the man of God. 25 Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates. 26 They served in the days of Joiakim son of Joshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law.
Nehemiah 12 begins with a list of the priests and Levites who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel for the building of the second temple. The building of the temple concluded in 516 BC. Nehemiah came to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls in 424 BC, a good 92 years after the second temple was erected. For nearly 100 years the tempe had stood without any barriers. It was important for Nehemiah to acknowledge the pioneers of Jerusalem who returned to a dangerous place, after King Cyrus of Persia allowed them to, when he took power over Babylon in 539 BC.
Dedication of the Wall of Jerusalem 27 At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. 28 The musicians also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem—from the villages of the Netophathites, 29 from Beth Gilgal, and from the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the musicians had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem.
Historically The dedication of the wall is the final item to fully purify Israel. First,, they heard the reading of the law (chp 8), and were convicted of their sin. In chapter 9 they confessed their sin, and in chapter 10 they made a new covenant with God. Now, as a thanksgiving to God, they find the Levites and singers living around Jerusalem and invite them for the celebration of thanksgiving. In order to properly dedicate the wall to God, they had to bring in the priestly class (Levites) for purification and those dedicated to worship (singers).
Spiritually In order to re-purify ourselves, we need to combine effort (finding the Levites and singers) and allow God to come inside the walls. In Revelation 3:30, we see that Jesus is knocking not he door. If we are able to let him in (effort), He will come in and eat with us (James 4:8).
30 When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall.
Historically Purification for a Jew under the law is important to understand. The context is as follows:
Purification is keeping God’s commandments (Lev. 22:31). …His Sabbaths (Lev. 26:2) …His sacrifices (Ex. 8:27) If all of these things were kept, God would purify them (Lev. 22:32)
This was the atonement law of the jewish people. As we discover later on, there’s no way for the people to ever fully be in compliance with the law.
Spiritually Purification, for a Christian under grace, is as follows:
When we are distracted by impurities, we can’t hear God’s voice.
In the story, the priest purified themselves first, because they couldn’t lead unless they were following God properly. Priests purified the people next. Without purity, the people cannot worship God in truth. Finally, the very surroundings were purified. With impure surroundings, it is easier to fall away.
31 I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks. One was to proceed on top of the wall to the right, toward the Dung Gate. 32 Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah followed them, 33 along with Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 34 Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, 35 as well as some priests with trumpets, and also Zechariah son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zakkur, the son of Asaph, 36 and his associates—Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah and Hanani—with musical instruments prescribed by David the man of God. Ezra the teacher of the Law led the procession. 37 At the Fountain Gate they continued directly up the steps of the City of David on the ascent to the wall and passed above the site of David’s palace to the Water Gate on the east. 38 The second choir proceeded in the opposite direction. I followed them on top of[g] the wall, together with half the people—past the Tower of the Ovens to the Broad Wall, 39 over the Gate of Ephraim, the Jeshanah Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate. At the Gate of the Guard they stopped. 40 The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials, 41 as well as the priests—Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah with their trumpets— 42 and also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malkijah, Elam and Ezer. The choirs sang under the direction of Jezrahiah. 43 And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.
Historically Two large processions are held, both working around the perimeter of the wall and meeting at the Water Gate. One is led by Ezra ad the other by Nehemiah. These are choirs of thanksgiving. The worship is for all and it is heard from far off. Individuals were specifically named because it was a real event with real people who mattered.
Spiritually When we worship with joy, love and thanksgiving, the worship will be an example to others. This is what God wants.
44 At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes. From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites. 45 They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did also the musicians and gatekeepers, according to the commands of David and his son Solomon. 46 For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. 47 So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.
Historically The people of Jerusalem brought their offerings for the Levites, priests and singers. This was important because these are workers for God. They do not draw a salary by any other means, so the provision of the people support them to do God’s work. Also, the priests continued the process of purification and they also set aside portions for other Levites outside of the walls.
Spiritually The generosity we display is a sign of the spirit working in us. The work of purity is an ongoing process; it must be continuous. Our generosity should show no bounds. If the spirit is working in us, we must not diminish the generosity that God puts in us.