Wise Master Builder #21 | Soli Deo Gloria

Introduction 

Think of a time when you were absolutely thrilled by what was about to take place. Perhaps it was walking down the aisle at your wedding, the arrival of a child, a visit from a best friend you hadn’t seen in awhile, a wonderful vacation. This chapter gives us a glimpse into the thrilling future that awaits us. 

The Text

Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, […] And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps. And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi […]
Nehemiah 12:1, 27ff

Summary of the Text

The first portion of this chapter consists of the roster of Priests and Levites who ministered during the period of the three waves of returning exiles (vv1-26). David had organized 24 courses of priests (1 Chr. 24), here we only find 22 in the first list, under Zerubbabel’s leadership (vv1-7), and only 20 in the second list, during Ezra/Nehemiah’s leadership (vv12-21). It would seem that every effort was made to restore these courses, yet they remained incomplete (Cf. Ez. 2:1-2). One other comment is worth making about these lists, we’re told explicitly that this was during the reign of Darius (v22), which helps confirm the compressed timeline thesis.

Now, this list of names is not just helping to meet a word count. There is a deliberate textual goal. Nehemiah 7 is a long roster of the returning exiles, followed by the narrative climax of Ezra’s ministerial work (Neh. 8-9). Similarly, chapters 11-12 consists of these long lists, followed by this crowning moment of Nehemiah’s civil work. Ezra reformed the people. Nehemiah rebuilt the city. Taken together this reminds us what the Heidelberg’s first answer teaches, “I belong body and soul” to Christ my Savior.

Nehemiah’s work, then, culminates in the celebration found in this chapter. The wall which had been built with remarkable speed, diligence, and through great peril, is now consecrated to Jehovah (vv27-47). The Covenant Renewal of chapter 10 consecrated the people to fulfill the duties of supporting the temple, and the worship therein. This consecrated people then consecrate the walls which defend and preserve that worship. That order matters: soft hearts surrounded by strong walls.

Consider some of the specifics of this dedication ceremony. The priests cleanse (i.e. baptize) the walls where once the men of Israel were slain. The walls had been defiled by death, and they first wash them in accordance with the command of Moses (Cf. Num. 19:14-19). Secondly, there are two groups of singers, one led by Ezra (vv31-36), while Nehemiah followed behind a second group (v38). Both groups worked their way around the walls in opposite directions, merging into one assembly at the guardhouse (v39); from there they ascended together to the temple to make offerings, and the joy of that day was a noise of unmingled joy, heard afar off (vv40-43, Ezr. 3:13). Nehemiah gives clear directions, restoring the Davidic order, for the service of song in the temple (vv44-47).

Who We Are & What We Do

Let’s look more closely at these two companies of singing saints. Throughout Numbers the phrase “keeping the ward” is used to describe the priests’ duty of looking after the Tabernacle (Num. 1:53). As restored Jerusalem is consecrated to God, Nehemiah tasks these singers and porters with the same duty. It is all too easy for God’s people to just assume that nothing will ever threaten faithful worship. Or worse, we begin to think that God will stay put in that little temple we built for Him. Apathy towards God results in anemic worship that eventually turns into idolatry which leads to judgment. The worship of the Lord is to be guarded. You must attend to it with faithful devotion. You cannot take your foot of the gas. You were made to worship the Triune God, and you find the greatest satisfaction when your life is oriented according to that chief end of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever.

The company of them that give thanks is one Hebrew word “toda” הטודה)), literally: “the thanks”. It is a particle, meaning it doesn’t fall neatly into a category of noun or verb. Is this describing what this group of saints were doing (i.e. giving thanks)? Or is it that they should bear the name of what they do? Well, both! 

An example of this is the word husband. A husband is both a particular name for the sort of man which is married to a woman. But “to husband” is also what he does towards his wife: cherishing, tending, cultivating, planting, providing. Donald Trump both presides over the civic life of our nation, and as such bears the title President. A fun one is the word: Lord. It comes from the Old English hlāford which means “loaf-warden”. A lord gives bread to his people, and as such bears the name hlāford. 

In this case, the assembled saints come to give thanks to God, but in doing so are the thanks itself. In our worship we are the thank offering. So we guard the worship of God by giving ourselves to it entirely. God doesn’t want lip-syncing saints. He calls us to give ourselves entirely to Him, and in so doing we worship Him rightly both in the temple courts and the city square. 

Walls Protecting Worship

In God’s providence the restoration during this time period was ordered in a particular way. The people were pricked in their hearts over their neglecting to worship God rightly and obey Him faithfully. God had already shown that walls would not protect them from the judgement He would bring upon impure and divided worship. These rebuilt walls were not a monument to Nehemiah’s genius, but were to protect the recovery of right worship.

That is quite applicable. On its own, an internet filter won’t stop your porn habit. Cutting up your credit cards won’t change your envious heart. Blocking difficult people in your life won’t heal the bitterness in your heart towards them. A heart tuned to worship God in all things will eagerly set up safeguards to protect that which is sacred and good. Likewise, it does our own nation no good to build a border wall around the same-sex mirage, porn, abortion, greed, and vain-glory. Never forget, God has never been stopped by walls. Just ask Jericho.

New Jerusalem

This whole episode of redemptive history, under Ezra and Nehemiah, comes to this culmination of a restored people dwelling in a restored city. This is a glimpse of what awaits us in eternity. Under Nehemiah’s steady courage, and Ezra’s diligent study, God’s city was made whole and its residents full of joy in what God had brought about. It was a city once more. It had residents, and walls, and guardians, and choirs, and priests, and civic rulers. The bleating of the sheep, the lowing of oxen, the songs of children, the chatter in the market fill Jerusalem with a din of life. All of this was God’s doing. Yet it was accomplished by means of faithful men. Reformation and revival only come from the Lord, but He delights to use the means of imperfect saints devoted to Him. This holds true for the walls of your own body, the timber of your own home, the four walls of this dance hall we meet in, the city limits of Moscow, and the borders of the USA. When God restores individuals or groups of people, they are restored entirely both inside and outside.

This dedication of the walls provokes us to look in faith to what Christ has purchased for those who trust in Him. We look, as Abraham did, for a city whose builder and architect is God, established upon Christ alone, the chief cornerstone. Do you see it? Are you thrilled? A city whose walls were stained with the blood of disobedient idolaters, but now resurrected and consecrated with cleansing water and jubilant song. Not a ghost town, but a populated city. The citizens of that holy city offering themselves up as the thank offering. The walls of heavenly Jerusalem are placarded with the inscription soli Deo gloria, and it’s gates are flung wide to all who would come to Christ in faith. And from that city goes forth an unmitigated sound of everlasting joy.

Charge and Benediction

Remember that closing scene in The Chronicles of Narnia, where Aslan tells all the characters we’ve come to know and love, “You do not yet look so happy as I mean you to be.” Lewis is giving us a similar vision to what this episode in Nehemiah’s story does. As you build this week, put in front of you this vision of the unmitigated and everlasting joy that awaits you in Christ.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26