May 25 2025 // Nehemiah 12
APPLICATION: Read & watch/listen to Nehemiah 12
Sermon Title: Rejoicing in Restoration
1. The Past Honored. Recorded leaders(1-21) Returned with Zerrubbabel. 93-100 ago(1-9)
Levites, Priest, Leaders of High Priest, and associates/brothers/relatives or Jeshua to Joikim.
Lineage of the High Priest.(10-11)
Heads of Priestly families. (12-21
Roles (22-26)
Songs of thanksgiving, Praise, gatekeepers to guard the store rooms at the temple gates.
Application: Recognizing those who went before and their roles reminds us to be grateful
2. The People Gathered – A Call to Celebration (Nehemiah 12:27-30)
Levites sought and brought (v. 27).
Singers brought – Thanksgiving and praise were central to the dedication (v. 28-29).
Priest and Levites Purify – Themselves, the people, and the wall (v. 30).
Application: Before celebrating God's blessings, we must prepare our hearts through purification and prayer.
3. The Prayer and Praise Organized – A Commitment to Worship (Nehemiah 12:31-43)
Dividing – Two great choirs were appointed (v. 31).
Choir Directed by Ezra – Group one (v. 32-37).
Choir Directed by Nehemiah – Group two (v.38-39
Application: Thanksgiving prayer is intentional and public.
Uniting - at the house of God, sounded the trumpets, both directed by Jezraiah - Sung, offers sacrificed, (v 40-42).
Rejoicing - God Gave great Joy, women,children, all could be heard far away. (v. 43)
Application: True worship is joyful and contagious, impacting those around us.
4. The Provision Secured – A Commitment to God's Work (Nehemiah 12:44-47)
Stored – Men were appointed over the storerooms, stored the portions for alloted (v. 44).
Served – the Lord and people, together, priest, levites, singers and gatekeepers (v. 45-46).
Contributed – The people gave portions for the Levites, priests, and singers and gatekeepers (v. 47).
Application: Supporting God's work through giving, serving, and obedience ensures continued spiritual growth.
Conclusion: "Rejoicing in Restoration"
Nehemiah 12 teaches us that dedication, worship, and obedience are essential for a thriving faith. Just as the Israelites celebrated God's faithfulness, we too should worship with joy, serve with commitment, and give with gratitude.
Nehemiah 12:27-29
a. They sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem: The Levites had many responsibilities in the life and worship of Israel, but one of the most important jobs that they had was to lead the people in songs of worship and praise to God.
b. To celebrate the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings and singing: More often they sang with musical instruments. Here cymbals and stringed instruments and harps are specifically mentioned.
i. There are at least twenty-two different musical instruments mentioned in the Bible, including the harp, the lyre (an ancient guitar), horns, trumpets, flutes, tambourines, drums, cymbals, and bells.
ii. The Levites were specially appointed to use these instruments to lead the people in worshiping God through singing.
c. Sons of the singers…the singers had built themselves villages: There were also specially appointed singers. The singers in Nehemiah’s day had a close-knit bond, both by families and living arrangements.
i. Since the job of these singers was to lead the people in worship of God, they had to be good singers; but more importantly, they had to be people of worship themselves.
ii. There is a huge difference between being a great singer and being a great leader of songs of worship to God. Worship should be excellent, but it isn’t entertainment. The goal isn’t to give the people a good feeling (though that may happen), but to give glory and honor to God.
Nehemiah 12:30
Then the priests and Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, the gates, and the wall.
a. Then the priests and Levites purified themselves: They did this first. They could not effectively lead the people in worship of God unless they walked in purity before the Lord.
b. And purified the people: This was their next step. They brought cleansing to the people the way the Bible said to, knowing that only a purified people could really worship and praise God.
i. Some might silently object here; they might say, “I know a person who goes to church and seems to be lost in beautiful praise and worship to God, and I also know their life is rather impure outside the church walls. It appears they are worshiping God, but they are personally impure.”
ii. Something is wrong there; probably, their worship is not true worship of God in spirit and in truth, but instead a “soulish” experience. All that inwardly moves a person in a deep way is not necessarily of God’s Spirit; it can be of the soul. One of the great works of the word of God is to divide between that which is truly spiritual and that which is merely soulish (Hebrews 4:12).
iii. Without purity, we can’t worship God in spirit and in truth, as Jesus commanded us to (John 4:24). Psalm 24:3-4 asks, Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, and it means it in the sense of bringing praise to God.
iv. We can be made pure and clean before God today, right now, by doing what the Bible says to do – not in following an Old Testament ceremony, but by receiving the word of the New Testament: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
c. The gates, and the wall: Finally, their surroundings were purified. Purified surroundings help us to walk in purity consistently. The homes and offices of many Christians could benefit from purification and cleansing.
Nehemiah 12:31-43
a. Appointed two large thanksgiving choirs: The two large choirs were called thanksgiving choirs for a good reason. All praise and worship must have a strong element of thanksgiving to God for it to be genuine.
i. Notice that the singers sang loudly. They had to be heard, because as glorious as the instruments were, the people would follow the lead of the singers in worship.
b. God had made them rejoice with great joy: God did this with the choirs assembled, and the people spread all about. They were then overwhelmed with joy and thanksgiving, considering all God had done.
c. The women and the children also rejoiced: This tremendous experience of worship was for everyone. There weren’t some who were excluded from worship.
d. The joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off: Their worship was a testimony to others, and what others heard was not so much the singing itself as the joy. We often worry about others hearing us sing but what God wants to hear, and what others should hear, is not so much your singing but your joy.
a. Some were appointed over the rooms of the storehouse for the offerings: This was a day of giving. People brought their offerings, the firstfruits, and the tithes to the storehouse of the Levites, and they did it with joy because they enjoyed supporting the priests and Levites ministering on their behalf.
b. Both the singers and the gatekeepers kept the charge of their God and the charge of the purification: This was a day of purity. It was an ongoing concern, not a one-time ceremony.
c. They also consecrated holy things for the Levites: It was a day of consecration. Holy things were set apart for the Levites, speaking of the separation to God.
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Nehemiah Chapter 12
S.P.E.C.K. - Bible Study Tool
Passage: ______________________ Date: __________________
1. Observation: Write down everything you observe about the "who, what when, & where" in the passage. Look up any words that are unclear.
2. Application – S.P.E.C.K. (you can’t always answer all 5 parts)
S. – Sin to confess or avoid:
In the passage, does God say something about sin? Is there a sin to confess? Is there a sin that I should avoid?
P. – Promise to keep:
Does God communicate a promise for me to claim?
E. – Example to follow:
Do I find people in this passage that give a good role model? What character traits and which actions are commendable? Which are not?
C. - Command to obey:
Are there any specific commands given for me to follow. What does God want me to apply to my life today and this week so that I develop Godly character and habits?
K. – Knowledge about God:
What does this passage tell me about God or about Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit? What is God like? What are His attributes? What does He do? What does He like and dislike? What is His attitude?
3. Specific Plan:
From all that you have learned in studying the passage from God’s Word, what are you going to do about it? (This is not to earn God’s favor or salvation, but rather a chance to deepen the relationship between you and Christ.) Make a specific, doable plan:
4. Pray for God’s Help:
Pray, asking God to help you to apply what you have learned. He will.
Sermon Title: Rejoicing in Restoration
1. The Past Honored. Recorded leaders(1-21) Returned with Zerrubbabel. 93-100 ago(1-9)
Levites, Priest, Leaders of High Priest, and associates/brothers/relatives or Jeshua to Joikim.
Lineage of the High Priest.(10-11)
Heads of Priestly families. (12-21
Roles (22-26)
Songs of thanksgiving, Praise, gatekeepers to guard the store rooms at the temple gates.
Application: Recognizing those who went before and their roles reminds us to be grateful
2. The People Gathered – A Call to Celebration (Nehemiah 12:27-30)
Levites sought and brought (v. 27).
Singers brought – Thanksgiving and praise were central to the dedication (v. 28-29).
Priest and Levites Purify – Themselves, the people, and the wall (v. 30).
Application: Before celebrating God's blessings, we must prepare our hearts through purification and prayer.
3. The Prayer and Praise Organized – A Commitment to Worship (Nehemiah 12:31-43)
Dividing – Two great choirs were appointed (v. 31).
Choir Directed by Ezra – Group one (v. 32-37).
Choir Directed by Nehemiah – Group two (v.38-39
Application: Thanksgiving prayer is intentional and public.
Uniting - at the house of God, sounded the trumpets, both directed by Jezraiah - Sung, offers sacrificed, (v 40-42).
Rejoicing - God Gave great Joy, women,children, all could be heard far away. (v. 43)
Application: True worship is joyful and contagious, impacting those around us.
4. The Provision Secured – A Commitment to God's Work (Nehemiah 12:44-47)
Stored – Men were appointed over the storerooms, stored the portions for alloted (v. 44).
Served – the Lord and people, together, priest, levites, singers and gatekeepers (v. 45-46).
Contributed – The people gave portions for the Levites, priests, and singers and gatekeepers (v. 47).
Application: Supporting God's work through giving, serving, and obedience ensures continued spiritual growth.
Conclusion: "Rejoicing in Restoration"
Nehemiah 12 teaches us that dedication, worship, and obedience are essential for a thriving faith. Just as the Israelites celebrated God's faithfulness, we too should worship with joy, serve with commitment, and give with gratitude.
Nehemiah 12:27-29
a. They sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem: The Levites had many responsibilities in the life and worship of Israel, but one of the most important jobs that they had was to lead the people in songs of worship and praise to God.
b. To celebrate the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings and singing: More often they sang with musical instruments. Here cymbals and stringed instruments and harps are specifically mentioned.
i. There are at least twenty-two different musical instruments mentioned in the Bible, including the harp, the lyre (an ancient guitar), horns, trumpets, flutes, tambourines, drums, cymbals, and bells.
ii. The Levites were specially appointed to use these instruments to lead the people in worshiping God through singing.
c. Sons of the singers…the singers had built themselves villages: There were also specially appointed singers. The singers in Nehemiah’s day had a close-knit bond, both by families and living arrangements.
i. Since the job of these singers was to lead the people in worship of God, they had to be good singers; but more importantly, they had to be people of worship themselves.
ii. There is a huge difference between being a great singer and being a great leader of songs of worship to God. Worship should be excellent, but it isn’t entertainment. The goal isn’t to give the people a good feeling (though that may happen), but to give glory and honor to God.
Nehemiah 12:30
Then the priests and Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, the gates, and the wall.
a. Then the priests and Levites purified themselves: They did this first. They could not effectively lead the people in worship of God unless they walked in purity before the Lord.
b. And purified the people: This was their next step. They brought cleansing to the people the way the Bible said to, knowing that only a purified people could really worship and praise God.
i. Some might silently object here; they might say, “I know a person who goes to church and seems to be lost in beautiful praise and worship to God, and I also know their life is rather impure outside the church walls. It appears they are worshiping God, but they are personally impure.”
ii. Something is wrong there; probably, their worship is not true worship of God in spirit and in truth, but instead a “soulish” experience. All that inwardly moves a person in a deep way is not necessarily of God’s Spirit; it can be of the soul. One of the great works of the word of God is to divide between that which is truly spiritual and that which is merely soulish (Hebrews 4:12).
iii. Without purity, we can’t worship God in spirit and in truth, as Jesus commanded us to (John 4:24). Psalm 24:3-4 asks, Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, and it means it in the sense of bringing praise to God.
iv. We can be made pure and clean before God today, right now, by doing what the Bible says to do – not in following an Old Testament ceremony, but by receiving the word of the New Testament: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
c. The gates, and the wall: Finally, their surroundings were purified. Purified surroundings help us to walk in purity consistently. The homes and offices of many Christians could benefit from purification and cleansing.
Nehemiah 12:31-43
a. Appointed two large thanksgiving choirs: The two large choirs were called thanksgiving choirs for a good reason. All praise and worship must have a strong element of thanksgiving to God for it to be genuine.
i. Notice that the singers sang loudly. They had to be heard, because as glorious as the instruments were, the people would follow the lead of the singers in worship.
b. God had made them rejoice with great joy: God did this with the choirs assembled, and the people spread all about. They were then overwhelmed with joy and thanksgiving, considering all God had done.
c. The women and the children also rejoiced: This tremendous experience of worship was for everyone. There weren’t some who were excluded from worship.
d. The joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off: Their worship was a testimony to others, and what others heard was not so much the singing itself as the joy. We often worry about others hearing us sing but what God wants to hear, and what others should hear, is not so much your singing but your joy.
a. Some were appointed over the rooms of the storehouse for the offerings: This was a day of giving. People brought their offerings, the firstfruits, and the tithes to the storehouse of the Levites, and they did it with joy because they enjoyed supporting the priests and Levites ministering on their behalf.
b. Both the singers and the gatekeepers kept the charge of their God and the charge of the purification: This was a day of purity. It was an ongoing concern, not a one-time ceremony.
c. They also consecrated holy things for the Levites: It was a day of consecration. Holy things were set apart for the Levites, speaking of the separation to God.
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Nehemiah Chapter 12
S.P.E.C.K. - Bible Study Tool
Passage: ______________________ Date: __________________
1. Observation: Write down everything you observe about the "who, what when, & where" in the passage. Look up any words that are unclear.
2. Application – S.P.E.C.K. (you can’t always answer all 5 parts)
S. – Sin to confess or avoid:
In the passage, does God say something about sin? Is there a sin to confess? Is there a sin that I should avoid?
P. – Promise to keep:
Does God communicate a promise for me to claim?
E. – Example to follow:
Do I find people in this passage that give a good role model? What character traits and which actions are commendable? Which are not?
C. - Command to obey:
Are there any specific commands given for me to follow. What does God want me to apply to my life today and this week so that I develop Godly character and habits?
K. – Knowledge about God:
What does this passage tell me about God or about Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit? What is God like? What are His attributes? What does He do? What does He like and dislike? What is His attitude?
3. Specific Plan:
From all that you have learned in studying the passage from God’s Word, what are you going to do about it? (This is not to earn God’s favor or salvation, but rather a chance to deepen the relationship between you and Christ.) Make a specific, doable plan:
4. Pray for God’s Help:
Pray, asking God to help you to apply what you have learned. He will.