Nehemiah 12:40 The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials….
Praise, portions, and purity. I was reading through today’s text trying to find a way to get at the heart of what the chapter is about. I think these three words sum up this chapter rather well. The walls have been rebuilt. The city has been repopulated, and now everyone has been reminded of their jobs: Praising God, providing portions for others—contributions, firstfruits, and tithes to keep things running properly, and purification of heart, soul, and body for worship.
Nehemiah 12:44 At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes….
The problem is that I have summed up the original into a tidy, alliterative list of rules. I’ve stripped the scripture of its power. The power lies in the entire story from Genesis until now. If that scripture is viscerally real to me, I know what I need to do to praise God—I’ve lived it with the Israelites. I do it because it has meaning and purpose. If I just go down the list—check, check, check and done—it’s not about God, it’s about rules.
Nehemiah 12:45 They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did the musicians and gatekeepers, according to the commands of David and his son Solomon.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that praising You is not about rules, it’s about relationship, and relationship always involves time, effort, vulnerability. Help me to strengthen my relationship with You so that my praise always comes from a place of relationship. Help me, always, to trust You, to love You, to praise You with my whole heart. Amen.
Nehemiah 12:47 So in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers….
Have a blessed day.