And again with a list of names… And again with wondering the importance of chapters like this in Scripture… Believing that the Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), and the true thoughts of God, I know each word and thought is recorded with purpose. So as I look at the list of priests who were brought into Jerusalem at this time of celebration, I’m reminded of all the Christian leaders and pasors who have impacted my life. Hebrews 13:7-8 says, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Often as I face triumphs in my life, I’m reminded of all the people who have helped to me reach victorious heights because of the relationship we had, lessons taught, sayings quoted over and over and over, and grand lives of faith lived for me to strive to imitate. And how incredible is it that these names are listed and will be read for hundreds of years!? My dad’s name is listed in a 1983 Outstanding Young Men of America book that merely lists thousands of names with a few jobs and achievements for each. I was excited to be invited to have my name listed in the 1996/1997 edition of Who’s Who Among American High School Students. I had to get the book out to even remember what was in it, and it has a list of abreviations by my name that I can’t even tell you what they mean (even though I think I had to submit was was put in the book as well as pay a charge to get a copy). But still, it was an honor to have my name listed with so many other achievers in Tennessee.  (This makes a list of names seem a little more important when we think of the honor it would be to have our own name listed.)

All these priests and leaders came together to dedicate the wall. It says that they purified themselves and gave thanks. They knew they were set apart for a purpose and rejoiced together in a job well done. They worked to glorify God with their labor and dedicated the final product to the One who made their work possible. Many people (my parents included) and churches will write prayers of praise and Scriptures of promise on concrete floors and the studs of walls before a house/building is completed in order to dedicate it to God. What are ways that you dedicate your labor to God? Let us not forget our motivation and purpose - that we are called to glorify One greater than ourselves; and not forget to take a moment to dedicate our victories to the One who made it possible. It also says in verse 43 that “the joy of Jerusalem was heard from far away.” So let us also make our joy known to those around us so that we can be an example for more in history of the greatness of the God we serve.