📖 Nehemiah 12

Nehemiah 12 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “Now these are the priests and the Levites who went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.

Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “The chiefs of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers close to them, to praise and give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, watch next to watch.” Nehemiah 12 opens with these words: “Now these are the priests and the Levites who went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,” The line to keep is Nehemiah 12:43: “They offered great sacrifices that day, and rejoiced; for God had made them rejoice with great joy; and the women and the children also rejoiced; so that the…” Carry the word “offered” from that verse into the rest of the day.

The line worth learning out loud is Nehemiah 12:43: “They offered great sacrifices that day, and rejoiced; for God had made them rejoice with great joy; and the women and the children also rejoiced; so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even far away.” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.

What happens first in Nehemiah 12? Then try this: Read “They offered great sacrifices that day, and rejoiced; for God had made them rejoice with great joy; and the…” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.