The second thing I notice about the celebration services at the dedication of Jerusalem’s wall is the rejoicing. This is related to what I have been saying about singing, since the best singing flows from a rejoicing heart.

After we are told about the dedication of the people, followed by a ceremonial sprinkling of the gates and wall, we are told of the great service of dedication itself. As I indicated above, it consisted of two parts: first, a festive wall-walk, in which Nehemiah led one group of the people in one direction while Ezra led a second group of the people in the other direction; and second, a formal service at the temple at which the choirs sang and the priests offered sacrifices.

Not only was the objective itself overwhelming, but Nehemiah also had to cope with a people who had tried to build the walls before, had failed and were now dispirited. There had been nearly a century of defeat. The people had settled down into accepting things as they were. Somehow Nehemiah inspired this dispirited people to believe the job could be done.

Remember that the book has two parts. The first and longer part concerns the building of the walls, a task in which Nehemiah played the leading role. This part fills chapters 1-7. The second, shorter part concerns the revival in Jerusalem and the rededication of the people. In this revival Ezra, the priest and spiritual head of the nation, is most prominent. This part occupies chapters 8:1-12:26. In the dedication of the walls these two important sections of the book come together.