What is happening in Nehemiah 11 and 12? You are faced with many names again which may make you want to tune out the details of the text. What is happening in the story of Israel? “And they offered great sacrifices that and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with a great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.” Nehemiah 12:43 ESV Why are details given about the priests and Levites? Why was there such joy in Jerusalem? Why list the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel?
Emphasizing the lineage of the priests and Levites was critical upon returning to Israel with the intent to worship God again because the Levites and descendants of Aaron were set apart to minister before God. Anyone who could not prove their lineage would not be allowed to minister before God so that the anger of the Lord would not be kindled. The people in Jerusalem were seeking to adhere to the commandments of God. This returning to God would be a great source of joy.
In 2 Chronicles 11:13-17 the departure of the Levites and priest from the cities within Israel was detailed. Here in Nehemiah we see that the Levites and priest are returning to their cities. The idolatry of the forefathers of Israel prior to the exile in Babylon is cast aside as the people in unison seeking to follow God. It took seventy years of exile to turn the peoples hearts back to God. The leadership of Israel was rebuilt in during this time in Nehemiah where the people wholly desired to follow God and keep all of His commandments.
This a great moment for the people of Israel as they have returned to Jerusalem. How long will their faithfulness endure? Throughout the Old Testament the story presented shows how unfaithful and distracted the people of Israel are as time progresses and life become routine. The people go from a passionate desire to follow God to a lukewarm relationship that leads to a total disregard of God. This cycle is prevalent today where people make great professions to follow God but the routine of life is not surrendered to God and the people are drawn slowly away from God. How do we guard our lives from this slow decline? We need to cling to God with all of our being and that starts with growing to know God through regular devotional time in the Word of God.
