Reading for July 27th

 Read Nehemiah 12.27-43. In 12.27-43: The dedication of Jerusalem's walls. This section briefly returns to a first-person style, similar to the other sections of the "Nehemiah memoir." It recounts the elaborate dedication ceremony, with the community divided into two large portions processing along the walls until they meet by the Temple. The dedication is given a religious dimension with priests and Levites actively participating in the ceremony. In verse 27: They sought out the Levites in all their place: The Levites, who lived in common villages, were needed to ensure the full complement of music and praise. In verse 30: Purified themselves: A necessary preparatory step for a religious ceremony. Also necessary was the purification of the people, though purifying the gates and walls represents a new level of concern for correctness. Such an act extends the area of God's presence from the Temple to the entire walled city. In verse 36: And the scribe Ezra went in front in recognition of the importance of his contributions to the community. In verse 40; Both companies ... stood in the house of God. No formal entry into the Temple itself has preceded this point. This makes more sense if the entire walled city is being considered "house of God." In verse 43: The joy of Jerusalem was heard: This offers a conclusion to the rejoicing and jubilation the community had experienced. Comments or Questions..