Nehemiah 12:31

Nehemiah 12:31 says, Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate:  Nehemiah said he brought the princes of Judah to the wall to help in the dedication.  Matthew Henry says they had gone home after the building of the wall was complete and were called to return for the dedication.  We may all go our separate ways in life during the week, but we need to come together with other Christians to worship whenever there is a worship service.  They were then divided into two groups with half going in each direction around the wall.  Even though we are united spiritually with other Christians when we worship, we are not all in the same place physically.  Then next few verses tell us who was in this first half. 

Verse thirty-two adds, And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah, 

Verse thirty-three continues, And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam, 

Verse thirty-four concludes, Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah, 

Verse thirty-five states. And certain of the priests' sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:  Then, we are given the names of some of the sons of priests who went with this group to play the trumpets.  Once again, music was an important part of this celebration, and I believe it should be today as well when we gather to worship God.  I also believe that God calls people to lead in the music service.  I also believe that we should all participate when called on to do so, whether we sing great or not.  We are not called on to sing so people can praise us, but to offer praises to God.   

Verse thirty-six adds, And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.  We are then given the names of others in this group who were also playing musical instruments that David, who is referred to as a man of God and not a former king, had used in worshipping God.  Our position in be world will never be as important as our relationship with God.  As Christians, we must be known as men and women of God before all else. 

Verse thirty-seven continues, And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward.  Then, we are told the area that this group covered, walking around the wall while praising God.  We need to praise God wherever we are and need to be guided by the Holy Spirit in doing so.  If we do, then we will be successful in our worship service. 

Verse thirty-eight says, And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall;  Nehemiah then tells us the area that the other half of the people covered, and he was with this group.  Though they had divided to cover the whole wall, they would meet at a certain point and be one group.  Though we are divided into different congregations today when we gather to worship, we should all be united spiritually in worshipping God. Then one day, when Jesus Christ returns, we will finally be united forever as one group of believers.

Verse thirty-nine adds, And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.  This verse continues to tell us the area this group covered. 

Verse forty continues, So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:  Nehemiah said that the two groups met up after having the whole wall covered.  We as followers of Christ need to work together so that the gospel is shared in the whole world as long as we are alive and before we are gathered together forever with Jesus Christ in our heavenly home.