Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they might celebrate the dedication with gladness, with hymns of thanksgiving and with songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps and lyres. (Nehemiah 12:27)
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven— (Ecclesiastes 3:1), said Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived. In Nehemiah’s mind, now was time to “pull out all the stops” and praise God for all that he had done in their midst. The origin of this saying comes from what you do on a pipe organ to enjoy the fullest and loudest sounds. There are many rows of knobs that open up the pipes, and he would pull all of them.
His plan was to assemble two great choirs who would oppose each another on respective walls, with Ezra and himself leading them into position. This antiphonal approach was only fitting for a work requiring both brains and brawn, faith and works, and swords and trowels.
And on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar. (Nehemiah 12:43)
If this were today, you’d hear the band playing, rousing patriotic songs, and a grand finale of fireworks in the sky. It is written that “the joy of Jerusalem could be heard far and wide.” Following God’s plan results in unbridled joy, when one can actually sees the wisdom of his ways standing tall and “carved in stone.” So much better it is to be a Nehemiah who saw such a wall in his mind, than to be a “doubting Thomas” type, who had to witness the final brick being troweled in to believe.
28 So the sons of the singers were assembled from the district around Jerusalem, and from the villages of the Netophathites, 29 from Beth-gilgal and from their fields in Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built themselves villages around Jerusalem. 30 The priests and the Levites purified themselves; they also purified the people, the gates and the wall. (Nehemiah 12:28–30)
Dedications done right require music and singing or it’s not much of a celebration. All those who served as singers were “rounded up,” ceremonially purified per the law, and “bused” into the city. The musicians were with them, carrying their cymbals, harps, and lyres. There were also trumpeters in the group. (v. 41)
45 For they performed the worship of their God and the service of purification, together with the singers and the gatekeepers in accordance with the command of David and of his son Solomon. 46 For in the days of David and Asaph, in ancient times, there were leaders of the singers, songs of praise and hymns of thanksgiving to God. (Nehemiah 12:45–46)
It pleases leadership to no end to have a good plan executed, especially aimed at glorifying God according to his law. This points to the value of committed and consecrated leadership, and dedicated role players, which would include the singers and musicians, and all those who served as “gatekeepers,” watching over the gifts of the people.
On that day men were also appointed over the chambers for the stores, the contributions, the first fruits and the tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions required by the law for the priests and Levites; for Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who served. (Nehemiah 12:44)
The servants overseeing the temple and leading worship were well “compensated,” more so by their purification and participation, than by their portions, if their hearts were right with God.
As an aside, the value of a church’s worship ministry cannot be understated. Its fathers date back to the most famous of all musicians, David, who would be king, with his descendant Jesus, and his main counterpart Asaph, composer of Psalms and songs, the original “worship leader.” It cannot be stressed enough the importance of setting musicians and singers apart for ministry by way of purification, not by some ritual, but in the careful way they are selected to lead the people. Talent and giftedness is essential for sure, but no one should set foot on stage who is not right with God. In modern worship music there appears to be a high bar set for musical ability at the expense of vetting out the heart of the musician. Musical gear and “chops” are not more important than the musician’s heart. Taking a cue from this passage, players must first be purified.
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