NEHEMIAH 12 - THE PURPOSE OF MUSIC
Nehemiah 12
The final names of the returned exiles were being recorded (v. 1-26) as preparations were made for a dedication ceremony of the wall of Jerusalem. The dedication of the wall was going to be a big event. The Levites were sought out from every part of Israel and brought into Jerusalem to lead the celebration (v. 27). This was a music festival and people were excited about it.
Thankfulness had been poured into song writing with the accompaniment of cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps (v. 27). These bands traveled from far and wide to camp outside the city in makeshift villages (v. 28-29). A buzz of excitement filled the air. There is nothing quite like a good worship concert.
Music is for two main things: the praise of God, and joy of people.
Music is not the invention of man; it is the creative genius of God. There is something about when words flow out with a melody that the human heart awakens. The notes of instruments are as complex and varied as the emotions of a man. A song can make a person laugh, cry, dance, or contemplate. God made music so that humanity could have unhindered expression.
Music, however, is not only for man to enjoy, but also for God to be praised. God has instructed his people to sing and play music as an act of worship. God enjoys when the voices of his people rise to heaven. In fact, music surrounds his throne in heaven and will for all of eternity. And because God is holy, those who worship him must also be holy. A key preparation for the music festival was the purification of the people, the gates, and the wall (v. 30).
When the opening day of the dedication arrived, the leaders, singers, choirs, and bands were appointed to their places. Two large thanksgiving choirs stood on the wall, and two choirs stood in the house of God (v. 31-42). They lifted up their voices and the sound spread across the land and ascended to heaven.
That day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off. (v. 43)
The music festival was a success, and the people knew that this couldn’t be a one-time event. Provisions were made so that they could preserve this experience through the generations (v. 44-47). Attention and preservation of music is one measurement of the spiritual health of a people.
A critic of Christianity was once quoted saying, “If the Christians expect me to believe in their Redeemer they have got to look a lot more redeemed!” Christians gathering together around the sound of music is one way to show people that God is real, and that we enjoy him. So make a melody to the Lord and let it be heard.