The Map of Jerusalem Nehemiah 12 | Dennis Miller, Lead Pastor
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/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / The Map of Jerusalem Nehemiah 12 | Dennis Miller, Lead Pastor | November 23 & 24, 2013 Neh. 12:27 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 singers 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 singers had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. 30 When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall. 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 Zaccur, 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 scribe 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 house of David to the Water Gate on the east. 38 The second choir proceeded in the opposite direction. I followed them on top of 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. Before They Celebrated . How To Celebrate God’s Goodness Nehemiah made certain that _______________ had been done 1. People were brought _____________ in one place, and a _______________. special ___________ was given to bring in those who could — _______________ was established. _________ in thanksgiving and worship. Neh. 12:27 At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out — The city was _______________ with people who 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. _______________ to live within the city. 2. The people ___________ themselves and their surroundings. — Work was _______________ to keep the city and temple Neh. 12:30 When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they running _______________. (chapter 11) purified the people, the gates and the wall. Note that Life Was Not Perfect — It is _____________ to offer praise and thanks when your heart is weighed down with _________ and _____________. Consider that there were _______________ things to be concerned about: 3. The people ______________ got involved with the celebrations. It was a _________, and the leaders led the way. 1. Israel was _____________ by Persia. They were _________! The people _________ and played musical instruments. 2. The walls and temple were _________ ____________ of Neh. 12:40 The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of what they had been in the _________ days. God; so did I, together with half the officials, Psa. 149:3 Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with Ezra 3:12 But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen tambourine and harp. the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. This parade idea was ______________ from Solomon, but 3. The enemies were still right _________ the _________. splitting them into two groups was a _________ _________. 4. There was _________ left to do to _____________ 4. The people focused on what _________ had _________! Jerusalem and the surrounding areas _________. Neh. 12:43 And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. We are reminded that life is _________ perfect, and that there . And notice what ____________ was heard far away! are always areas of ___________. But that shouldn’t keep us Neh. 12:43 . The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away. from celebrating the _________ things that God has done and is _________ in our lives right _________! Psa. 27:3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out Consider: against me, even then will I be confident. We all need to _________ our _________ when we take time to Do you celebrate in a _________ that makes others want to give ___________ and worship! _______ you? Is God _______________ by your celebrations?.