Nehemiah 12:44- The Gathering and Sanctification of Priests and Levites

After rebuilding the wall, Nehemiah is concerned with the re-dedication and re-population of Jerusalem. One of his first steps is to call priests and Levites from Babylon and cleanse and sanctify them so they can do the same for the people. Many of the steps mentioned in previous examples are apparent here. Reference to David and his pattern occur three of four times in the chapter. Verse 37 caught my attention near the end of the verse when it refers to the "house of David", the "watergate", and "eastward gate." Those three points of reference are interesting because each may be relevant to Ezekiel's vision of Zion in the last days. The "prince" spoken of in Ezekiel 37:25 is referred to as "David" in verse 24. In chapters 40-47 Ezekiel is shown the lay out of inheritances beginning at the Temple, which is the center point. On the east side is the inheritance for the "prince" as well as the east entrance into the Temple which is reserved strictly for the Savior and the "prince." Reference to the "watergate" on the east side is also interesting because water comes from underneath the front porch and flows down to the Dead Sea healing everything in its path. (Ezekiel 47:1-12)

Nehemiah 12 couples the cleansing of the priests and Levites with tithing and offerings which also follows the pattern in Malachi. (Nehemiah 12:44,Malachi 3:1-3,8-12)

The issue of cleansing the Levites tends to be dismissed because the Doctrine & Covenants expands the meaning of Levites to include all faithful holders of the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods:

"For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God." (D&C 84:33-34)

Provision is made for Ephraim to function in these capacities so Temple ordinances could be administered until the "fulness of the Gentiles" is come in. When the Gentile opportunity concludes descendants of these tribes will gather and holders of the Melchizedek priesthood will relinquish these positions to allow those who are literal descent to fill these positions. They are Aaronic in nature.

I have to confess, this study has surprised me by taking us where I never anticipated going. Clearly there is a template or pattern in play here.