Read Nehemiah 12:31-42. Why was music such an important part of this celebration?

Part of the worship service in Nehemiah’s time was creating two thanksgiving choirs that walked around Jerusalem singing, accompanied by instruments. They started in the same place and then split off, each going in a different direction around the walls of the city. One group was led by Ezra, who was at the front, and the other group had Nehemiah at the back. The two choirs met up once again at the Valley Gate and from there proceeded into the temple. Priests who blew the trumpets complemented each procession. Once the choirs entered the temple, they stood facing each other. It was an excellently organized procession and worship service.

To answer why music is such an important part of the celebration and worship service, we have to look at its meaning in the context of the temple. Music in the temple was not a concert that people came to enjoy, like going to listen to Beethoven’s 4th symphony being performed at a concert hall. Rather, as the musicians sang and played the instruments, the people bowed in prayer. It was part of their worship.

The central act of the temple and worship concerned sacrifices, itself a rather unpleasant action. After all, what were they doing but slicing the throats of innocent animals? The playing of such beautiful music, in many ways, besides just lifting the people’s thoughts heavenward, helped make the whole worship experience more pleasant.

Look up instances in the Bible where music was an important aspect of worship. Reflect especially on Exodus 15:1; 2 Chronicles 20:21-22; and Revelation 15:2-4.

Both on earth and in heaven, music is part of the worship experience. Notice that in the above verses, the singing is all about what the Lord has done for His people, including giving them victory “over the beast” (after all, how else would they have gotten that victory?). It’s praise to God for His acts of salvation.

<–Monday    Wednesday–>

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You can view an in-depth discussion of “Worshiping the Lord” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view:

You may download an MP4 video file, and audio file or a PDF lesson outline from the HopeSS site.

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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Our title this week gives us the first hymn:
Hymn 6, “O Worship the Lord”.

The memory verse is in
Hymn 29, “Sing Praise to God”,
Hymn 37, “O Sing, My Soul, Your Maker’s Praise”,
Hymn 105, “Sing to the Great Jehovah’s Praise”,
Hymn 276, “Thanks to God” and
Hymn 563, “Praise and Thanksgiving”.

On Monday the Priest and Levites purified themselves:
Hymn 27, “Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart!” They were washed clean:
Hymn 302, “Deeper Yet” because there is
“Power in the Blood”, Hymn 294.

One aspect of the music was to sing of what the Lord has done for His people:
Hymn 19, “O Sing a New Song to the Lord” and
Hymn 351, “Thy Hand, O God Has Guided”.

Hymn 571, “What Does the Lord Require?” helps us understand Wednesday’s topic of discussion.

Hymn 184, “Jesus Paid It All” can help to sum up the Great Controversy statement on Thursday. The Priests and Levites (our Ministers, teachers and musicians today) are doing their best in
Hymn 572, “Give of Your Best to the Master”.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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1. Worshiping practices of the Hebrews. Our memory text tell us how the Jewish people of the Old Testament worshiped God. In the lessons presented this quarter, God’s children are celebrating the dedication of the temple’s wall. Have you ever participated in a heartfelt celebration of a new church wall? What made this portion of the sacred building so precious? Let’s take a deeper look into what went into the the celebration of a wall that was part of the sanctuary. 
2. Singing songs to celebrate. In the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, who were chosen to make the temple celebration especially great? What was special about the contribution of the descendants of Asaph to the temple dedication? How important was music in this celebration? What was special about the music selected? The “music committee” was far more than a group of singers. What other talents and work were blended into the planning of the service through the generations since the temple was first built? Maybe you love good church music but don’t think you have talent to help with that part of the worship service. What can you contribute? Do you derive a special joy from the music provided at church events where you worship?
3. Purification. The Bible presents a special ceremony to purify the Levites, the priests, the gates and the wall of the temple. Explain how the system contributed to the purification of the people. What was the most important goal of the services involved in temple worship? How can simple worship components add to the power of temple services? We are dealing with ceremonies occurring hundreds of years before the ministry of Jesus. How can you and I use gratitude, hope, and joy in linking the services of the worship temple of olden days with the services we provide for worship today? Should we do more of that? Or just be satisfied with the power of the worship service we follow today? 
4. Two large Thanksgiving choirs. Do you ever sense a thrilling experience when you sing praises to our God? Demonstrate the movement of two thanksgiving choirs in relation to the temple. Imagine having a worship celebration like that in your own church? How was it possible for the music to be a definite part of worship and not just an accompanying melody? Can music at home provide a similar blessing to family members today? What seems to be the predominant purpose of music in the worship experience? Does your church make the most of musical opportunities in your services? If not, can you do anything at all to strengthen and improve the quality of inspiring music in your church’s service?
5. Sacrifices as part of worship. Imagine an announcement from your pastor stating that from now on a farm animal will be sacrificed every Sabbath at the church service. In what way is the offering of a sacrificial animal recognized these days in the church service? (Hint: at the cross…)
6. Priests and Levites as part of worship. Does Jesus continue to offer His body as a sacrifice for our sins? Did the Israelite followers of God take the temple services seriously without stumbling over them or laying them aside? As followers of God in these final days of earth, do you and I pay enough attention to the music, Bible study, and prayer that are part of our worship service? What about financial support? Do you give to God’s church to the extent that you are able because you want to see His church have a more important witness in your community? Do you and I take the example of the Old Testament church seriously enough? Think on these things. 

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Key Thought: The Israelites now dedicated the city wall. The dedication was accompanied by music, feasting, sacrifices, merriment, and the purification of the people.
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Deceember 7, 2019

1. Have a volunteer read Nehemiah 12:27-29.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Name some of the key words that reveal what their worship and praise was like? How do you describe their worship?
3. Personal Application: In what ways is music important to you in worship service? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Is the form of music important is worship service? Some churches have drums and Christian rock and rap as part of worship. Others use operatic music in their services. Are these appropriate ways in which God can be worshipped?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Nehemiah 12:30-42.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What did singing have to do with the purification process in Israel?
3. Personal Application: List some reasons that you have to sing praises to God. Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “I don’t like to sing. I’m not very good at it and wasn’t taught that singing was something we should do. So what should I do when everyone else is singing and I am just standing there?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Nehemiah 12:44-47.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. Why did Judah rejoice over the priests and Levites who ministered? Why were they important?
3. Personal Application: Do we take our musicians and ministers for granted too often? How can we show our gratitude and thankfulness for their ministry? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “How can we appreciate the music and singing in church without exalting the person doing the singing, or the minister doing the preaching? Some people can get prideful and lifted up because of the talents of music, song, and preaching that God has given them.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Nehemiah 12:43.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. Why were great sacrifices part of the Israelites worship service and part of their singing and praise?
3. Personal Application: If Jesus is our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, what is He doing there? How does that relate to worship and praise? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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