Nehemiah 12

The restoration of the Wall was completed, the people had gone through a Revival and renewed their convenant with God, and some started resettling in Jerusalem.  So, now they were ready to DEDICATE the Wall to the LORD. 

This passage started with a listing of the Priests and Levites from the time of the first group that returned from exile.  This is likely because the Priests and Levites had such major roles in the Dedication, leading the people in thanksgiving, celebration, and worship.  In the listings of the Levites, particularly in vs 8-9 and vs 25, they seem so similar to those listed in other chapters in Nehemiah; that it seems to indicate that many of those who returned with Zerubbabel were those who were still serving in the time of Nehemiah, which is what vs 26 seems to allude to as well.  Given the timeline, that would mean that many had to have been very young at the time of their return from exile; and were quite advanced in age at the present time with Nehemiah.

At the Dedication, they purified themselves, sang and gave thanks, offered sacrifices, and rejoiced.   They sang their hearts out, such that "the sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away." (vs 43b)

Then they appointed men to be in charge of the storerooms for the offerings that had committed to giving in their Covenant.  And they continued purification and consecration.

This Dedication was truly one of thanksgiving and giving praise to God.   They may not have been able to celebrate as joyfully and fully if they had not gone through the revival and the renewing of the Covenant, which helped prepare them for Worship and Thanksgiving.