the Third Week of Advent
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 2 of 5
Nehemiah 12:31-47
The ceremony of the dedication of the wall, which begins in v. 27, takes place amidst great joy. Two processions composed of singers and accompanied with trumpets set off together on the walk upon the wall, each on its own side. One is led by Ezra, while Nehemiah brings up the rear of the second. The two processions meet near the temple, each having gone round half of the city. They have fulfilled that word of that beautiful Psalms 48 : "Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks . . ." (Psalms 48:12-13).
When the two united choirs reach the house of the LORD, they let their voices be heard and "great sacrifices" are offered amidst general rejoicing. V. 43 teaches us three things about this joy. Firstly, it has its source in God: "God had made them rejoice with great joy". Then all took part including the children. What makes their parents rejoice, also causes them to rejoice. Finally, this joy "was heard even afar off". Can the world around us see and hear that we are happy people?
