1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:06,680 Speaker 1: Life Audio. For more resources to help you in your 2 00:00:06,760 --> 00:00:10,760 Speaker 1: walk with Christ, please visit us at Bible Study Headquarters 3 00:00:11,080 --> 00:00:15,400 Speaker 1: dot com. You're listening to the chapter today Audio Bible. 4 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: I'm John Stanghi, and today we're in Nehemiah chapter twelve, 5 00:00:21,160 --> 00:00:26,520 Speaker 1: and we'll be reading from the New English translation. These 6 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 1: are the priests and Levites who returned with Zorubbabel, son 7 00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:40,080 Speaker 1: of Shieltl and Jeshua, Sayah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malik, Hattush, 8 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:54,520 Speaker 1: shek and Ayah, Rahum mehramoth itdo Ginnathon, Abaijah, Midjamin, Modiah, Bilga, Shemaiah, Joya, 9 00:00:54,600 --> 00:01:02,880 Speaker 1: rib Jediah, Salu amok Hilkiah and Jediah. These were the 10 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:06,200 Speaker 1: leaders of the priests and their colleagues in the days 11 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:15,640 Speaker 1: of Jeshua and the Levites. Joshua, Benui, cadmil Sherebiah, Judah 12 00:01:15,680 --> 00:01:19,480 Speaker 1: and Madaniah, who together with his colleagues was in charge 13 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:24,880 Speaker 1: of the songs of thanksgiving Backbukiah and Uni. Their colleagues 14 00:01:25,240 --> 00:01:30,039 Speaker 1: stood opposite them in the services. Joshuah was the father 15 00:01:30,160 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 1: of Joyakim. Joyakim was the father of Eliashib. Eliashib was 16 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:39,000 Speaker 1: the father of Joyda Joida was the father of Jonathan, 17 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:43,720 Speaker 1: and Jonathan was the father of Jaduah. In the days 18 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:46,920 Speaker 1: of Joyakim, these were the priests who were leaders of 19 00:01:46,959 --> 00:01:55,160 Speaker 1: the families of Sarayah, Mariah of Jeremiah, Hannanaiah of Ezra, 20 00:01:55,840 --> 00:02:04,920 Speaker 1: Mishulm of Amariah, Jehohanan of Malak, Jonathan of Shekeaniah, Joseph 21 00:02:05,920 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 1: of Harim, aDNA of Merimoth, Helkai of ido Zechariah of Guinathon, 22 00:02:15,160 --> 00:02:22,160 Speaker 1: Mishulem of Abaijah, Zikri of many Amine and Modaiah Piltai 23 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:32,800 Speaker 1: of Bilga, Shamua of Shamaiah, Johonathan of Joyareb Maddini of Jediah, 24 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:41,280 Speaker 1: Uzi of Salu, Cali of Amok, Eber of Hilkiah, Hashibaiah 25 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:47,280 Speaker 1: of Jediah, nethanel As for the Levites, in the days 26 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:52,800 Speaker 1: of Eliashib, Joiada, Johannan and Jeduah, the heads of families 27 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:56,320 Speaker 1: were recorded, as were the priests. During the reign of 28 00:02:56,440 --> 00:03:01,080 Speaker 1: Darius the Persian, the descendants of Levi were recorded in 29 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 1: the Book of the Chronicles as heads of families up 30 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:08,120 Speaker 1: to the days of Johanan son of Eliah, ship and 31 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:13,119 Speaker 1: the leaders of the Levites were Hashebiah, Sherebiah, Joshua, son 32 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 1: of Cadmil, and their colleagues who stood opposite them to 33 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:21,680 Speaker 1: offer praise and thanks one contingent corresponding to the other, 34 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:31,560 Speaker 1: as specified by David the Man of God. Mattanaiah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Mishulam, Talman, 35 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:36,040 Speaker 1: and Akoub were gatekeepers who were guarding the storerooms at 36 00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:39,880 Speaker 1: the gates. These all served in the days of Joyakim, 37 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 1: son of Joshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the 38 00:03:43,240 --> 00:03:48,480 Speaker 1: days of Nehemiah the Governor, and of Ezra the priestly scribe. 39 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 1: At the dedication of the Wall of Jerusalem, they sought 40 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:54,360 Speaker 1: out the Levites from all the places they lived to 41 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 1: bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication joyfully with 42 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:03,960 Speaker 1: songs of thanksgiving and songs accompanied by symbols, harps, and leers. 43 00:04:05,160 --> 00:04:08,800 Speaker 1: The singers were also assembled from the district around Jerusalem, 44 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 1: and from the settlements of the Natophathites, and from Beth Gilgal, 45 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:17,359 Speaker 1: and from the fields of Giba and Asthmaveth. For the 46 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:21,599 Speaker 1: singers had built settlements for themselves around Jerusalem when the 47 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:25,760 Speaker 1: priests and Levites had purified themselves. They purified the people 48 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:29,840 Speaker 1: the gates and the wall. I brought the leaders of 49 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:32,799 Speaker 1: Judah up on top of the wall, and I appointed 50 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:37,480 Speaker 1: two large choirs to give thanks. One was to proceed 51 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:40,839 Speaker 1: on the top of the wall southward toward the dungate. 52 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:52,720 Speaker 1: Going after them were Hoshiah, half the leaders of Judah, Azariah, Ezra, Mishulam, Judah, Benjamin, Shamaiah, Jeremiah, 53 00:04:53,200 --> 00:04:57,560 Speaker 1: some of the priests with trumpets, Zechariah son of Jonathan, 54 00:04:57,960 --> 00:05:01,160 Speaker 1: the son of Shemaiah, the son of madame Na, the 55 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:05,360 Speaker 1: son of Mekaiah, the son of Zakor, the son of Asaf, 56 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 1: and his colleagues Shemaiah, Azirel, Mililai, Gilili may I, Nethanel Judah, 57 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:19,560 Speaker 1: and Hanani with musical instruments of David, the Man of God. 58 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:23,799 Speaker 1: Ezra the scribe led them. They went over the fountain 59 00:05:23,839 --> 00:05:26,880 Speaker 1: gate and continued directly up the steps of the city 60 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:30,400 Speaker 1: of David. On the ascent to the wall, they passed 61 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:33,800 Speaker 1: the house of David and continued on to the watergate 62 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:38,159 Speaker 1: toward the east. The second choir was proceeding in the 63 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:41,960 Speaker 1: opposite direction. I followed them, along with half the people 64 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:45,080 Speaker 1: on top of the wall. Passed the Tower of the 65 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:48,839 Speaker 1: Ovens to the broad Wall, over the Ephrium Gate, the 66 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:53,080 Speaker 1: Joshana Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hannanel, and 67 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:56,240 Speaker 1: the Tower of the Hundred to the Sheep Gate. They 68 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:59,880 Speaker 1: stopped at the gate of the Guard. Then the two 69 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:03,400 Speaker 1: that gave thanks took their stations in the Temple of God. 70 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:07,279 Speaker 1: I did also, along with half the officials with me, 71 00:06:07,640 --> 00:06:14,279 Speaker 1: and the priests Eliakim, Messiah, Mini Amine, Mekiah, elion I, 72 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:21,280 Speaker 1: Zechariah and Hannanaiah with their trumpets, and also Messiah, Shamaiah, 73 00:06:21,680 --> 00:06:29,640 Speaker 1: eliezer Uzi, jehohan An, malkaija Elam, and Isasar. The choirs 74 00:06:29,640 --> 00:06:33,560 Speaker 1: sang loudly under the direction of Jezrahiah, and on that 75 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:37,560 Speaker 1: day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced, for God had 76 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:42,120 Speaker 1: given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. 77 00:06:42,520 --> 00:06:46,320 Speaker 1: The rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard from far away. 78 00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:50,880 Speaker 1: On that day, men were appointed over the store rooms 79 00:06:50,920 --> 00:06:55,040 Speaker 1: for the contributions first fruits and tithes to gather into 80 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:58,599 Speaker 1: them from the fields of the cities, the portions prescribed 81 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:01,600 Speaker 1: by the law for them, the priests and the levites 82 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:04,440 Speaker 1: for the people of Judah, took delight in the priests 83 00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:08,200 Speaker 1: and Levites who were ministering. They performed the service of 84 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:11,840 Speaker 1: their God and the service of purification along with the 85 00:07:11,880 --> 00:07:15,760 Speaker 1: singers and gatekeepers, according to the commandment of David and 86 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:19,520 Speaker 1: his son Solomon. For long ago, in the days of 87 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:23,280 Speaker 1: David and asaff there had been directors for the singers 88 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 1: and for the songs of praise and thanks to God. 89 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:29,360 Speaker 1: So in the days of Zerubbable and in the days 90 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:33,280 Speaker 1: of Nehemiah, all Israel was contributing the portions for the 91 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:37,720 Speaker 1: singers and gatekeepers according to the daily need. They also 92 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 1: set aside the portion for the Levites, and the Levites 93 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:50,160 Speaker 1: set aside the portion for the descendants of Erin let's pray, Lord, 94 00:07:50,160 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 1: we thank you for your word, and we thank you 95 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 1: for the opportunity to look at this portion of scripture today. 96 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:57,880 Speaker 1: And Lord, as we've been going throughout the book of Nehemiah, 97 00:07:57,960 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 1: we could see that the big task that you would 98 00:07:59,880 --> 00:08:03,680 Speaker 1: get given the people was to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, 99 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 1: so that Jerusalem could ultimately be a city that was 100 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:10,680 Speaker 1: set apart, a city that was dedicated to You, in 101 00:08:10,720 --> 00:08:14,400 Speaker 1: a place that would be dominated by a culture of worship. 102 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:17,440 Speaker 1: As people lifted up their hearts to you and obeyed 103 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:20,880 Speaker 1: your word and sought to just teach their children and 104 00:08:21,040 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 1: serve as an example of what it meant to walk 105 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 1: by faith in You. And Lord, as we look at 106 00:08:25,960 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 1: this portion of scripture, we rejoice with them at the 107 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:32,000 Speaker 1: dedication of the wall around the city that that task 108 00:08:32,080 --> 00:08:35,240 Speaker 1: is now completed, and we look at these large groups 109 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:37,679 Speaker 1: of people that are traveling on top of the wall 110 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:40,600 Speaker 1: as they're walking around on top of it. And yet 111 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 1: we remember a few chapters earlier when those that scoffed 112 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:46,920 Speaker 1: at the people of Judah joked that if a small 113 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:49,520 Speaker 1: animal like a fox tried to walk on that wall, 114 00:08:49,559 --> 00:08:52,000 Speaker 1: that the thing would crumble. But yet we could see 115 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:55,760 Speaker 1: that your hand was behind this work, and you accomplished 116 00:08:55,760 --> 00:08:58,680 Speaker 1: what you had pledged to accomplish through your people, what 117 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:02,080 Speaker 1: you had inspired them to do. Lord, It's such an 118 00:09:02,120 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 1: encouraging portion of Scripture, and we're grateful to read it, 119 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:07,680 Speaker 1: and we're even grateful, Lord, to read through the lists 120 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:10,800 Speaker 1: of names that are included here, because these are people 121 00:09:10,840 --> 00:09:14,520 Speaker 1: who walked by faith in You and their lives, whether 122 00:09:14,559 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 1: we know a lot about them or just a little 123 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:18,480 Speaker 1: about them, or even if we just know their name. 124 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:21,199 Speaker 1: Their lives serve as a testimony of what it means 125 00:09:21,559 --> 00:09:24,440 Speaker 1: to walk by faith. And Lord, we're grateful that you 126 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:27,320 Speaker 1: lead us as well, and that we have the privilege 127 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:30,480 Speaker 1: to walk by faith in your son Jesus Christ. That 128 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:33,480 Speaker 1: you've opened up our eyes to our need for Jesus, 129 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:36,640 Speaker 1: and that you empower us day by day to live 130 00:09:36,640 --> 00:09:39,560 Speaker 1: in your strength and to be blessed by the supply 131 00:09:39,720 --> 00:09:42,720 Speaker 1: of your wisdom. Lord, we're grateful for your presence with 132 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:45,680 Speaker 1: us today. We thank you for the blessing of reading 133 00:09:45,720 --> 00:09:47,720 Speaker 1: your word, and we thank you for the privilege of 134 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:50,720 Speaker 1: knowing you. We commit this day to your care, and 135 00:09:50,760 --> 00:09:54,640 Speaker 1: we pray this all in Jesus' name. Amen.