Next stop: Casper, Wyoming at River’s Edge RV Park. Kind office staff, lovely lake views, and quick service when our leveling system decided to shut down.
Then on to Cody, WY, so we could get to Yellowstone!
Spectacular
Spectacular
Spectacular
Spectacular (And faithful).
Grateful.
Goodbye to Cody, WY
Trying to follow the 2-2-2 RVing rule: Travel no more than 200 miles a day…
Stop every 2 hours…
Stay at least 2 nights.
(We actually slept in a Way-Mart parking lot, then kept going the next day.) But we made it to the Badlands in South Dakota!
Sunrise glory
Your 7 Days?
So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions
for the musicians and the gatekeepers.
They also set aside the portion for the other Levites,
and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.
Nehemiah 12:47
Last time we saw how the priests, Levites, and gatekeepers looked narrowly on their duties, and the musicians kept watch over Temple worship. Today we see portions given to all Temple workers by the people.
First thing Nehemiah reminds us is who is overseeing all the people: Himself and Zerubbabel. Then how all Israel contributed portions for the workers in Yahweh’s house, specifically for the musicians and gatekeepers. Contributed is nathan meaning “give, to commit, entrust, set, wholly, yield.”
Anything that stir in your heart? “Wholly” beside “yield” gets me every time. It’s like Jesus seeing through all my defenses going, “What are you holding back because you’re afraid to trust Me with it?”
And you?
So all Israel was giving, wholly yielding portions for the musicians and gatekeepers, likely with hearts of gratitude as they kept watch over the worship in song of Yahweh. Portion here is just like last time: menath, meaning allotment. Which is good news, yes? We’re not expected to wholly yield what isn’t in our control to give. Probably because we’d spend all our time whining that we can’t do XYZ and He’s patiently prodding our hearts for what we know He’s asking us to do. And all for communal good.
But what’s interesting is the English word portion is used again in the Hebrew as “a portion for each day.” And here the root word is dabar – speech, word, account, act, advice, affair, because of, book, business. It’s almost a specific version of allotment. Portion of what? Well, pretty much everything. What we do, say, how we work and advise others. All the affairs of our lives. Our daily lives, a portion for each day.
Once again a sigh of relief, no? I don’t have to carry yesterday’s stuff into the present. Neither do I need to make it my business to fuss over tomorrow.
So, put together, and for the sake of community, I wholly yield what He’s asking me and carry only today’s portion. And we can breathe again.
For the final sentence in English, the word portion is used two more times, but it is a completely different word in the Hebrew than the first two. The literal translation is “and they consecrated holy things.” Consecrated is qadash – to be set apart, keep or make holy, manifest holiness, sanctify, dedicate; and it is the denominative verb of qodesh – to be set apart, sacred.
We’ve talked before about denominative verbs on here, and how they mean “from the noun or adjective.” So to blanket the landscape with snow, the verb of blanketing comes from the noun blanket. And here, the verb for to set apart (qadash) comes from the word for holy (qodesh). So the people of Israel qadash the qodesh. Setting apart as sacred in order to dedicate as holy for the Levites.
There’s something different than business as usual when dealing with God’s house, the place where Yahweh set apart to meet with people, accept their sacrifices, receive their worship. And, friends, we are now that Temple. The place in which He dwells. We are to qadash – be set apart as holy.
If we really absorbed that, how would it change our dealings with others? Our desire to be right, first, catered to? How would we live out our call to take up our crosses and follow Him to those He dearly loves if we made it our business to manifest holiness as part of our daily portion? If I’ve ever been talking to myself while asking others, it’s now.
Our final section points out the order of consecration: the people consecrate as holy a portion for the Levites. And the Levites, in turn, consecrate a portion (qadash again) for the sons of Aaron, the priests.
This part is touching to me. The verb here seems more sacred than simply dividing it up and going, “Here you go” to the sons of Aaron. To those making sacrifices on behalf of the people. Their role was essential in Temple, in leading God’s people, and the portion given to them was to be set apart as sacred.
It is not lost on me that in my morning reading I’m in Jeremiah, and today there was a specific call to the shepherds to lead the people well. The exile was coming if God’s people did not repent, and chapter 23 specifically calls out those leading the sheep. If we are in any position to give spiritual guidance to those He loves, may we have a sober understanding of how seriously He takes that leading. The consequences of disobedience are sky high.
Fortunately, in this same chapter, the Righteous Branch is foreshadowed. Who will “reign as king and deal wisely…and the name by which He will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.'” (Jeremiah 23:5b – 6) Remember this name? Jehovah-Tsidkenu, the Lord our Righteousness.
None of us, in any position, can be perfectly set apart as holy. Only the Righteous Branch could accomplish that. May we lean into His sanctifying work each day, and wholly yield on behalf of others.
They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did also the musicians and gatekeepers, according to the commands of David and his son Solomon.
For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.
Nehemiah 12:45-46
Last time we looked in on those overseeing the gifts, tithes, and offerings in the temple storerooms, grateful for our Mighty Sustainer. Today we see how the priests, Levites, musicians, and gatekeepers served.
First we see the priests and Levites “kept the charge of their God.” Kept here is shamar – keep, watch, preserve; attend, being careful, bodyguard, give heed, keeper, perform, preserve, protect, regard, secured, take care, take heed, waits, watch, look narrowly, observe. And charge is mishmereth – guard, charge, function, allegiance, keep, obligation, post, safeguard, service, watch, worship.
As Temple workers and mediators between God and the people, we see them taking the obligation seriously. There’s something in me, particularly at this stage in my life, that appreciates that phrase “look narrowly.” Far from being small-minded, this resonates with me as purpose. The priests did not have to wonder if they should farm. They weren’t expected to be shopkeepers or traders or soldiers. Their job was outlined, and they carefully kept watch over their duties.
Anything in your life you know that you know you’re called to? That you don’t need to question if you should be doing something else? But rather need to preserve, regard, and look narrowly on the reason you’re created? If it’s from Him (of their Elohim), He will safeguard it and our service will be as worship.
Not only did those ministering in Temple keep the charge of Elohim, they also kept “the charge of the purification.” Purification is tahorah – cleansing, moral purity; from tohar – clearness, glory, brightness and taher – purge, be pure, uncontaminated, innocent.
Remember, this was necessary for our very human priests in order to stand before a holy God. They must perform the purification rituals for themselves first, then for the people. Once again pointing to Jesus, our greater High Priest, who required no such cleansing. He Himself is pure glory, like the light of the morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning.
What’s interesting is these verses mention the singers (shir) and the gatekeepers (shoer) doing the same – keeping the charge given them, and the purifications to serve in Temple. This was “according to the command of David and his son Solomon.” Command is our familiar mitzvah – prescribed, terms; from tsavah – conditions, law, ordinance, precept, lay charge upon. These rules, ordinances, were from King David and his son, Solomon.
And did you know Solomon’s name comes from shalam – to make amends, peaceful?
Many of us may know of Solomon’s asking for wisdom to govern God’s people, and receiving riches as well. And we know of his failings, including way too many wives. But I appreciate today seeing the root of his name means peace and wholeness.
Asking myself at the same time, what do we think we require to have peace? What must be true of our circumstances to experience wholeness? I know we all know the “right” answer, but is there anything you need to let go of if you’re being honest?
I’m having to die to myself already in our short time on the road. Remind myself that plans can change and others sometimes know better and God does not love me more than the people I disagree with.
Finally in our verses, Nehemiah reminds us that “for in the days of old, of David and Asaph, there had been directors of music.”
Days of old here is qedem – aforetime, before, east end, everlasting; “the front, of place (relatively the East) or time (antiquity)…”
I appreciate that this was referring to the time of the Israelites before the exile, but the root means “everlasting.” Almost seems like overkill, huh? David isn’t before time, and though Asaph means to assemble, collect, rear guard, he isn’t from everlasting either. Only One:
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God
Psalm 90:2
But let’s chat more about how the songs of praise and thanksgiving in Temple had directors. The word is rosh meaning head, and the leadership concerned the praise and thanksgiving.
Let’s start with praise. It’s tehillah – song of praise, deep place, depth, laud, hymn. From halal – shine, boast, celebrate, give light, rave, commend.
And we saw thanksgiving recently, which is yadah – to throw, cast, confess, give thanks, cast out, throw down…from yad; literally, to use the hand; to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands).
These are highly descriptive definitions of giving Elohim honor. What do you think about having a director over this “deep place of praise,” and “sorrowful lament?”
I personally love it. Well, at first my pride doesn’t want anyone helping to direct my praise. That’s between me and God, right? But after putting myself in a position vulnerable enough to let others speak into the highs and lows, I find my praise feels incomplete without a communal aspect to it. I know I’m missing what other parts of the Body can offer. I realize I see only certain aspects of His character from my experiences, and I’m hungry to see more.
This is easy to say in times of connection, but what about if we’re in more of a relational desert? Or a new place? Out of our comfort zone or not able to continue on the same way as before?
I’m not sure, but I like that Elohim’s Temple included directors of worship. A lot more difficult to confess our sins to one another without another around. Even harder when we think there’s nothing to confess, that things are just fine, and no leadership is challenging that perspective. It’s tricky to cast off the sin that so easily entangles on our own. And easy to get absorbed in our own lives and not bemoan communal elements of injustice without others’ insights.
So, yes, I see the need for directors of corporate praise. And what a sweet sound it must be to our Father to hear His children honor His worth in communal unison.
At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes.
From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites,
for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites.
Nehemiah 12:44
Last time we saw our groups take their place in Temple and, under the leadership of Jezrahiah (“Yah will shine”), the great praise and happiness of men, women, and children was heard far off. Today we see those dealing with Temple storerooms.
First we see that men were appointed (paqad – concerned, visit, muster, appoint, assigned, called to account, commit, entrust, made overseer, put in charge, surely take care, avenge, bestow) to be in charge of rooms of the storehouse (otsar – a treasury, storehouse, cellar) for the offerings, the firstfruits, and tithes.
Let’s start unpacking firstfruits, since they’re…first. The word is reshith meaning “beginning, choice, finest, head, top” and is used for “In the beginning” in Genesis. This was quite literally the first of the produce or animals born to the people. And it belonged to Yahweh.
Anything that stir in you? Since selling our house we’ve been busily buying things to get set for our extended RV trip. It makes me take pause and remember the first, best, and beginning portion should be His.
Let’s go with the tithes next, as this one is prescriptive as well. Tithe is the word masser, meaning “tenth part.” It originates with Abraham after a battle in Genesis 14:
“After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.”
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.“
The first use of this word tithe (masser) is in relationship to a priest of the Most High God. And Abraham gave him a tenth of his spoils after being blessed by the Creator.
I’m convinced the Creator of all does not need a tenth of that with which what He blesses us, but we need the practice of offering it, lest His provision turn into our pride.
Offerings is the final category of produce and livestock being taken care of by these men in the Temple storeroom. Offering is the Hebrew word terumah meaning “contribution, offering for sacred use, offered by lifting.” I glanced through the 76 times this word is used, and each point to a freely given offering. Except one: when used in Proverbs as a ruler greedy for bribes.
I find that contrast striking. This is not referring to the first and best of a crop, nor is it the tenth of all harvested. This is over and above, given freely to the one who may have worked hard, but in the end, has simply freely received. The opposite would be demanding an unwilling bribe to do what ought be done anyway, perverting justice.
And all these offerings were to be put in the storehouse and the men in our verses today were in charge of them. Let’s see what they were to do with all these gifts.
These gifts were to be collected “from the fields around the towns,” which is our next phrase. I just connected some fascinating dots about that word fields. The Hebrew is sadeh, which means…field. But it is the same as Shadday, more commonly seen in the phrase El Shaddai.
This is translated as Almighty, but its more literal and field-like reference refers to a goat feeding her babies milk to sustain them. I had learned from this book that El Shaddai had the idea of a nursing mother being the only one able to calm and sustain a fussy infant, and based on this excerpt, it makes even more sense:
“Many times a translator will not translate a Hebrew word literally because the literal meaning would mean nothing to the Western mind and in some cases would actually be offensive to the Western reader. Such is the case with the word שדי (shaddai). The use of the word “Almighty” by the translator is his attempt at translating the text in a manner that will both make sense to the Western reader as well as retain some of the meaning of the original Hebrew word.
The parent root for this word is שד (shad). The original pictograph for this word is . The (sh) is a picture of the two front teeth and has the meaning of “sharp,” “press” (as from chewing) as well as “two.” The (d) is a picture of a tent door with a meaning of “hang” or “dangle” as the door is hung or dangles down from the top of the tent.
The combined meanings of the and would be “two danglers.” The goat was a very common animal within the herds of the Hebrews. It produces milk within the udder and is extracted by the goat kid by squeezing and sucking on the two teats dangling below the udder. The function of these teats is to provide all the necessary nourishment for the kids, as they would die without it. The Hebrew word שדי (shaddai) also has the meaning of a “teat.” Just as the goat provides nourishment to its kids through the milk, God nourishes his children through his milk and provides all the necessities of life. This imagery can be seen in the following passage:
‘And I will come down to snatch them [Israel] from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up from that land to a good and wide land to a land flowing with milk and honey.‘ Exodus 3:8
The word שדי (teat) is often coupled with the word אל (mighty, strong) creating the phrase אל שדי (el shaddai) literally meaning the “mighty teat,” hence we can see the translator’s reluctance to literally translate this phrase in this manner and instead using the more sanitized “God Almighty.”
The idea of God being characterized as having teats does not sit well in our Western culture. We are familiar with identifying with God as a father, but not as a mother.
The Hebrew word for mother is אם (em) or in the ancient pictographic script. The ox head meaning “strength” combined with the picture for “water” () forms the word meaning “strong water.” Animal’s hides were placed in a pot of boiling water. As the hide boiled, a thick sticky substance formed at the surface of the water and was removed and used as glue, a binding liquid or “strong water.” The mother of the family is the “one who binds the family together.”
God can be seen as the “glue” that holds the whole universe together. This is more than a figurative statement but also very scientific. All matter is composed of atoms, which consist of protons with a positive charge and electrons with a negative charge. The protons are packed together in the nucleus, the center of the atom, while the electrons orbit the nucleus. Since each proton has a positive charge, each proton should repel the others causing the protons to fly apart, but for some unknown reason, they do not. This phenomenon is called “nucleic bonding.” God literally “binds” the entire universe together.
“male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
..God has the characteristics of both male and female…[He] promised the nation of Israel that he would bring them into a “land flowing with milk and honey.”
God as the אל שדי (el shaddai), the mighty teat, will supply his children with his life sustaining milk.”
Isn’t His living Word incredible? His character sublime?
So from this Mighty Provider, in the fields, these appointed men were to gather up the the portions (menath – allotment) by the Law (torah) for the priests and Levites.
You might already know when Yahweh divided up land for the tribes of Israel, He gave none to the Levites. Why? The LORD was to be their inheritance. And instead of tending the fields, they were to work in Temple and eat from these tithes and offerings of the landowners.
The Levitical priests—indeed, the whole tribe of Levi—are to have no allotment or inheritance with Israel.
They shall live on the food offerings presented to the Lord, for that is their inheritance.
They shall have no inheritance among their fellow Israelites; the Lord is their inheritance, as he promised them.
But I think an exciting part of today’s verses is that the people, Judah, rejoiced (simchah– happiness and merriment from last time) over (al – hovered over) the priests and Levites who ministered (amad – take one’s stand). In other words: the returning exiles’ great joy hovered over those ministering in Temple.
What a delight to know! These offerings weren’t given freely to the Most High alone, but to the work of those the people loved.
May anyone who knows they will stand before God and answer for others they spiritually lead serve in such a way as those entrusted over a treasury.
The choirs sang under the direction of Jezrahiah. And on that day they offered great sacrifices,
rejoicing because God had given them great joy.
The women and children also rejoiced.
The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away
Nehemiah 12:42b – 43
Last time we saw the two groups take their places in the Bethel, the House of God, and Nehemiah standing where he was called. We also highlighted a few names of the priests who took their places, reminding ourselves our ultimate allegiance is to a Kingdom not of this world. Today we will see great rejoicing.
The first phrase is, “The choirs sang under the direction of Jezrahiah.” Sang here is, interestingly, our familiar word shama, meaning “to listen with intent to obey.” I honestly do not think of singing as obedient listening. It feels more like telling Jesus with lyrics how we love Him.
But what if it was more of an exercise in hearing His voice? The funny thing is, in the Hebrew it is not just sang, but sang loudly. So funny we’re to loudly sing with our voices but listen obediently in our hearts. What a seeming contradiction, and yet, I can think of many times when I’ve been worshipping in song and He has made something clearer to me simply because I was focused on Him and not all the distractions of life.
Welp, it’s Sunday morning, friends. If we’re communing with others in worship, may we belt it out and listen within.
Our group did not just sing, but they worshipped under a leader named Jezrahiah. His name means “Yah will shine” from Yah and zarach – to rise, come forth, dawned, to irradiate, shoot forth beams. Speaking of singing loudly, this leader was to represent Yah rising forth like the sun in the morning, beams of light flooding the world.
You are the light of the world.
How I want Him and His ways to be such a warmth, a beautiful dawn, a clarifier in our lives. I want His presence in us to be outrageously obvious. Don’t you? Would you not love people to say of you, “I don’t usually agree with them, but their presence is like a glorious sunrise?”
Indeed, Yah will shine.
The phrase under the direction of is paqid – commissioner, deputy, overseer, officer. So, put all together, this group was to sing loudly, listen obediently, and watch Yah shine. And Jezrahiah was to oversee this for them as they began to worship in Temple. Let’s continue on to see what all was done in worship.
“And on that day they offered great sacrifices.”
Offered here is zabach (slaughter for sacrifice) great is our familiar gadol (great, high, prominent from gadal – grow up, advance, magnify, promote) and sacrifices is zebech (flesh of an animal).
Something is getting slaughtered.
And we know slaughtering for sacrifice was bloody work. But it was necessary to be near to the God Who had allowed the exile, made a way for them to return, provided for a Temple and wall rebuild, and was pleased with a dedication. It was also a way to show their great thankfulness.
Because the very next line is, “they rejoiced (samach – cheers, give happiness, gladden, merry, pleased, take pleasure, very happy) for God had made them rejoice (samach) with great joy (simchah – joy, gladness, mirth).” Friends, this group was happy. Not just “joy no matter the circumstances,” but very pleased, laughing, merry, toasting cheers. This is throw your head back and guffaw kind of happy. He had done great things for them and they were filled with joy.
And I love, love, love that the women and children are mentioned too. Just in case it seemed as though only the men were there, or grateful, or throwing their heads back in laughing praise. Oh no, He had rescued all His people. They all had a place in Temple to worship and be merry.
And the coolest part is how, because of this, the joy (simchah again) of Jerusalem (“Foundation of Peace”) was heard (shama again) far off (rachoq – distant, far, remote).
So, what do you think? Do you assume the sound waves of the actual songs and worship and merriment carried to remote places? Or do you think the story of what He had done and their gratitude had reached those far away?
I’m more inclined to believe the second one. Whether people can hear our actual praise or not, may the testimonies of His faithfulness to us, His Body, His entire Body, reach to remote places. May anyone in earshot and even those outside of it know of His worth and it be heard with intent to obey His reign.
Well, it has probably been since before the 2020 COVID quarantine since I posted anything on here not related to Nehemiah. I’ve genuinely missed processing my thoughts into words on this medium, and am excited to tell the internet about our family’s newest adventure:
A 9-month RV trip to see what we can see in the US!
It has taken 2 1/2 years of planning, dreaming, and scheming to make it a reality, but here we are. Actually, where we are is in our generous friends’ driveway while we sort out our possessions after selling our house and get our affairs in order. Things like health insurance without our previous jobs, reliable internet even in remote settings, how to roadschool our freshman and 6th grader (!), possible online jobs since money is necessary, and places to boondock with generous hosts. So far, it’s been a good time planning this adventure.
But in the meantime, a These 7 Days-type post of our family’s past year and a half:
Time for photos
All the online training for virtual school teaching
Brother and Sister-in-Law’s 20 year vow renewal
New classroom, new school
Football. All the football.
Cousin’s Gorgeous Wedding
We lost our Dad due to complications with dementia. We’ve been processing much with Mom.
I was looking for a different picture of them, but this one is poignant, no?
Time with precious friends
Selling our beloved home of 12 years
But grateful for our new Home-on-Wheels
Track + Finished with Middle School
Finished with Elementary School + Presidential Award + All Smiles
Estes Park, CO
For an extended family get-together. Perfection.
Hiking with my Sissy
More extended family joy
How are YOU??
The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God;
so did I, together with half the officials,as well as the priests —
Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah with their trumpets —
and also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malkijah, Elam and Ezer.
Nehemiah 12:40-42a
Last time we saw Nehemiah following our second choir around the opposite direction of the city gate, thankful for how He covers and blesses, ready to let go of what needs left behind, and watching the group stop the procession. Today we’ll see them begin to take their places in Temple.
Took their places here is amad again, meaning “to take one’s stand.” And they are doing this in the House of God – Bethel.
The phrase “here I stand” is often used these days, sometimes in jest.
“[My football team] is the greatest of all time. Here I stand.”
“I do not like chips and salsa. Here I stand.”
And yet, when taking our places in the House of God, there’s only one place any of us stand. Somewhere we are completely level, as all other ground is sinking sand.
I appreciate Nehemiah’s next phrase, “and so did I.” The pronoun here is ani which means “alone, myself.” And aren’t there other places no one else can stand with us? Areas in which God calls us, whether others join us or not?
The other thing this makes me think of is how justice chooses sides. I do not love this as it is less comfortable than seeing both points of view. But when injustice is prevalent, what matters is not comfort but the vulnerable. “Backing up the river” and fixing broken systems. Refusing to get used to mass shootings, toddlers suddenly orphaned, or unarmed black men shot by police.
We can take our stand where we’re called. We can refuse to live only by scripted narratives. And we can be grateful if others join us, like Nehemiah had.
He took his stand together with half the officials (sagan – prefect, ruler, official, to superintend). To be reminded that those with authority are to use it for others’ benefit always comforts and challenges me. But there’s no other way to see it when in God’s house, no possible way to interpret leadership as prideful position when the One with all surrendered everything.
The priests also joined in Temple, and Nehemiah lists them. Since we’ve recently seen many of these names, we’ll only highlight a handful, starting with Eliakim. It means “God sets up” from el and qum – to arise, stand up, accomplish, brighter, build, confirm, endure, establish, fulfill, grown, prepared, raised, restore, rouse, strengthen, surely take stand, abide.
Doesn’t this make you think of the phrase “set up for success?” It does me. I consider how God will rouse and restore, establish and build His children, but that success will look so much different than the world. When His goal is making us more like His Son, when His purposes involve kneading into our being certain attributes from His Spirit, we can remind ourselves we’re not being set up for fame, fortune, popularity or praise. But service, sacrifice, and purpose? Indeed.
Elioenai is the next priest we’ll point out, as His name means “toward Yah are my eyes.” Do you not love it? Not only do unnecessary things become strangely dim, but our elevated vision can keep us much more motivated than simple positive thinking or to-do lists. When I am reminded who I’m becoming here now will matter there and for eternity, pettiness looks petty, worthiness tastes like it, and opinions can roll off with greater ease.
It also seems worth noting Nehemiah points out these priests were “with their trumpets.” I quickly Googled uses for trumpets in the Bible, and found they’re used for assembling the people, in anointing kings, in wartime, dedication and worship, in taking Jericho, and for the Day or Atonement and Year of Jubilee. So Nehemiah having the priests use them as they dedicated Jerusalem’s new city wall makes sense.
Elam is the next priest we’ll highlight, whose name comes from alam – to conceal, blind, disregard, neglect, pay no attention, shuts, melts, secret. Makes me think of “turning a blind eye” and the innate privilege associated with it. If we’re able to pay no attention to injustice, it simply means it’s not directly affecting our daily life. Which means two things:
1. We have to listen to those affected if we ever hope to understand
and
2. We must put things in front of our faces regularly to remind us that, because we’re not directly affected, it means we’re in a position of social power and ought to seek to influence change.
May we never be okay neglecting things Yahweh takes personally, shut out those for whom He died, or choose to be blind to the needs of others.
Ezer is the final priest we’ll highlight. His name, of course, means “to help.” I am impressed this morning that its root word azar can also mean comfort. It’s just so rough out there, and we have access to worldwide issues daily at our fingertips. Not only do we get to comfort one another that this will all be set right one day, we can lean into the God of all comfort Who cares.
May we help others live in that kind of Kingdom as we take our places in the House of God.
“The second choir proceeded in the opposite direction. I followed them on top of the wall, together with half the people –
past the Tower of the Ovens to the Broad Wall,
over the Gate of Ephraim, the Jeshanah Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred,
as far as the Sheep Gate. At the Gate of the Guard they stopped.”
Nehemiah 12:38 – 39
Last time we saw the first thanksgiving choir and our teacher of the law, Ezra, lead them south and around to one side of the city wall – remembering to Whom our allegiance belongs and which Kingdom we represent. Today we see the second choir’s path the other direction.
Nehemiah, our narrator-governor, is noting how he followed this choir (followed here is achar – behind, afterward). Seems an appropriate thing to do: begin with praise and thanksgiving, then follow up with civic duties. Have our perspective elevated to heaven first, then focus on how to live that out on the ground.
Nehemiah also mentions he’s together with half the people (am – regular folk). I love this as only official leaders were mentioned last time. But, oh, is the work ever feet on the ground and all hands on deck. Not only that, but these folks were right up there alongside the choir giving praise to Him.
So fun that as I write this we’re having a yard sale, and a precious woman just talked about how much she loves the Lord. Every person – title or no, seminary degree or not – God has brought out of a pit gets to surround the city with rejoicing.
As the entire group headed toward the city from the top of our map, rather than going right (south), this second choir went left (north) toward the Tower of Ovens and the Broad Wall. You may remember this section of the city is one that was left out in the rebuilding. While we’re not told why, part of the old city wasn’t included within the walls of the new.
Does that strike you in any particular way? Anything you need to leave from the past as you seek to celebrate a new season? New calling or assignment? If it’s sin, we better ditch it. But what if it’s not? What if what we sense God calling up to leave behind isn’t wrong? It’s simply not the direction He’s moving us?
That, my friend, I feel you on. For some reason, even with years of experience to the contrary, I can still clench my fists and cling to what has been good, even a gift, in the past instead of reach for what He is leading me toward in the now. It’s not bad, it was a beautiful season. But sometimes we have to let go. And I wish it would get easier.
How about you? If you can relate, let’s just keep opening our hands to Him. He is only capable of leading us places for our good.
Gate of Ephraim is mentioned next, whose name means “Double Fruit.” It comes from apher – a bandage, covering, turban, ashes. I like those meanings put side by side. Not just fruit, but double fruit. And something to cover – a hurt, a head in the sun, shame or our frail humanity. What do you think those things mean when put together?
I’ll never forget when an older woman spoke of Who Jesus had become to her when I was in my early twenties. When walking through a difficult time, she had asked Him to meet her in the process. Not only did she work through her anger, but He gave her a vision of Him covering her shame with His cloak. Just the hem of His garment can heal, how much more a tender pulling in? Standing between her and this situation, making Himself the Lifter of her Head. He’s too good for mere words sometimes.
And that double fruit? You may think I’m making it up, but at the time of this writing, two of my sweet almost-4th-graders FacedTimed me, just being little girls in the summertime. What a precious reminder of how He blesses. And when we put those two definitions together, it seems to point to His tendency to bless in areas in which we’ve been healed. Like our Savior, wounded healers clinging to Him and reaching out to others. Abiding is our job, fruitfulness is His. And if He gifts a double blessing, particularly where we’ve seen Him cover, may we be aware and grateful.
Jeshanah Gate is listed next, a name which comes from yashan, meaning “old or to sleep.” We haven’t seen this gate listed before, and its name seems to originate from a city near Bethel. My instinct is to make a joke about sleeping and old age as we’re currently moving, assured people we could sleep on the floor in sleeping bags for a week, and proceeded to borrow air mattresses from two separate friends. It’s crazy how easily our bodies wear out as we age.
But even more enduring is how the sleep definition is referring to death. As we age, for our bodies to fully give out and we end our time in this way. It makes me wonder if this city had a long history before being named Jeshanah. And what significance it had in Israelite history to be named as a gate in the rebuilding.
Either way, the ancientness of our God always causes me to pause. El Olam, the everlasting One, Ancient of Days, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. What do we have in our present He hasn’t seen? How do we struggle that He does not know? Never slumbering, always has been, always will be. Sometimes we might think too little of such a Most High God.
The Fish Gate is next, which comes from dag or dagah, meaning to multiply or increase. You may remember, this was the main entrance through which fish were brought into the city from Tyre and the Sea of Galilee.
Is the above what you picture when you read about Jesus teaching from a boat? Or calling Peter to be a fisher of men? Or calming a storm?
I think I’m more likely to picture a lake for some reason – something smaller, more manageable. But I love that He walked on water here. That when God confined Himself to a human body, the water is where He spent much of His time.
Tower of Hananel is listed next, a name which means “God is gracious” from el and chanan – to show favor, bend in kindness. Which flows nicely with the next gate listed, the Sheep Gate. You may remember this gate was named such for the animals led in to be for temple sacrifices, and it is mentioned in John chapter 5, a story which always kills me.
A man cannot walk for 38 years, only to be beat to the healing pool every time he tries to make his way there. But when God Himself asks, “Do you want to be well?” he begins to point to all the reasons he can’t be.
I often wonder if we want to be well. If we’re willing to do the work to acknowledge what’s broken and let the temporary increase in difficulty come because we can keep the longer vision in our minds. As my sister pointed out recently, everything can be considered a hassle. Doing the right thing and the results of not. Planning ahead or the consequences of irresponsibility. Making the steps to face squarely how things have been messed up or pretending we can’t handle looking. It’s all work, but only one direction is a worthy one.
And I would be remiss to not at least mention the recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Talk about one group going one direction and the other another, like our group of choirs. If you want to see me emotional, you will talk about anything related to children dying. I am pro-life. But I cannot in good conscience, with the supportive family, resources, medical insurance, and stable lifestyle I’ve always had, pretend I understand what the news is like for someone without those things. Who cannot afford childcare, who has an abusive partner, is struggling with addiction, or works two jobs as is and can barely afford rent.
I realize the answer is not to end that child’s life. And there are so, so many believers I know and know about who put their time and money and convenience where their beliefs are, willing to foster, adopt, house mothers, help with expenses. But what those who are walking around the opposite direction, still surrounding the city to worship God, are focused on are the systems that are broken making this decision difficult on mothers: healthcare, living wages, maternal death rates, particularly in women of color, safety in schools. Our individualistic, capitalist culture makes for a difficult environment in which to bring up children if you are in a vulnerable state. Not to mention my firm belief that those at the top have used the abortion debate to their advantage, with little concern for those actually affected. And while I don’t have answers, I do wonder if we want to be well.
The good news is, we have a Savior ready and willing. One so much bigger than all the reasons we can think of that it’s not possible or worth the work. He is worth it every time and promises to meet us in the hard.
Our choir, regular folk, and following governor finally stop in today’s verses. Stopped here is amad – to take one’s stand. And they halted by the by Gate of the Guard, which is mattara – guard, ward, prison, target, mark; from natar – to keep, angry, bear grudge, reserves, care take, to cherish anger.
This is such a difficult balance to strike, at least for me. Looking back at what needs to change and forward in what healthy boundaries need to be protected – but without bearing grudges, cherishing anger, requiring a warden to to forcefully keep tabs.
For today’s purposes, this gate is mentioned so we as the readers know how far around the city the second choir walked. Choir 1 halted at the Water Gate, and today’s choir 2 ceases at the Gate of the Guard. We will see next time this is because they were all about to take their places in Temple.
And that’s a lovely picture to end with: both choirs surrounding the city, prepared to give praise to God in the Holy place, likely in harmony: singing different parts with the result being music, not chaos. Let’s keep our eyes on Him above and feet fitted with the Gospel of Peace on the ground. He alone is the King eternal, immortal, invisible. The only One worthy of worship.
“I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks. One was to proceed on top of the wall to the right, toward the Dung Gate.
Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah followed them, along with Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, as well as some priests with trumpets, and also Zechariah son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zakkur, the son of Asaph, and his associates—Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah and Hanani—with musical instruments prescribed by David the man of God.
Ezra the teacher of the Law led the procession. At the Fountain Gate they continued directly up the steps of the City of David on the ascent to the wall and passed above the site of David’s palace to the Water Gate on the east.”
Nehemiah 12:31-37
Last time we saw the musicians join the Wall Dedication party, and the priests and Levites purify themselves, the regular folk, and the wall to be set apart as His. Today we see our leader, Nehemiah, directing the key players for the ceremony.
The first thing our governor did was bring up (alah – to go up, ascend, arise) the leaders of Judah. Why, yes, leadership matters. I say this with humility as typing it made me realize I owed a text on something I’m supposed to be in charge of. Eek.
But the truth is, God has given me experiences in being under authority and knowing I will stand before him with it. All I can say is, we better be bowing in humility as we stand in dignity from Him either way. If our leadership is used for anything other than service of those we are to lead, He will have a say about it. May we, may I, shudder to think any authority given is to be used for ourselves, advancement in power, or a license to abuse or control others. Spiritual leadership matters as we are to represent the King from an entirely different Kingdom.
Nehemiah then appointed (amad – to take one’s stand) two large (gadol – great, high, prominent from gadal – grow up, advance, magnify, promote) thanksgiving choirs (todah – sacrifice of thanksgiving, praise). Do you not love the word for choir here automatically means gratitude? If you’re going to be worshipping the Most High, the Prominent One, there is nothing left to demand. All we can do is say, “Thank you.”
And in a move we haven’t seen in a while (2 years), we get to go back to our map of the rebuilt city. The reason? Our narrator-governor begins to name the gates again: one group of leaders went right toward the Dung Gate (far top left on map). So I believe we need to picture the entire crew walking in from the top of our map, which is west according to the key. The group from today’s verses then veers right (south) and around east.
Nehemiah then lists those included in this group. But since we’ve recently dissected these names, we’ll simply note that our Helper Priest, Ezra the teacher of the law (saphar – to recount, relate, assigned, declare, measure, number, proclaim, relate, taken account), led the procession. Led here means “went before them paneh – face, above, adjacent, countenance, gaze, sight.”
And I think that’s a great description of a leader: the first one to turn his or her face toward the direction to which movement is required. To gaze on the difficulties, face the uncertainty, and set their sights anyway on the God Who Sees and knows the outcome, then take the people there. After all, if we’re simply staying put, we’re not leading, we’re managing. Both are needed, but when God is on the move, we want to join Him. And if that means walking into a purifying furnace for His glory and our good, we tremble and obey. Because to not would be way more tremble-worthy of a decision.
Anything toward which you need to set your gaze? I cannot think of the recent shootings without begging God that as a nation we’d come together and care more for our fellow image bearers than bearing our arms. That we’d repent of trusting Him so little with our fears, demanding others pay the grievous price.
When I think of people’s loved ones gone after simply shopping in a store, or children and teachers no longer coming home because they went to school that day, or hearing last night at dinner of even more shootings at a hospital and church, then watch grown adults demanding to have assault weapons of war, I cannot stomach the direction we’re heading.
And perhaps that’s where I need to turn my face: to continue to plead with God on my knees, and vote in directions that honor Him. To seek to live a life that does not separate what I believe about His Kingdom and what I embody in my life. To not pretend the Great Commission ignores the Great Commandment, or that our call is to make converts, not disciples of The Way. To remember that how we live before a watching world matters.
The group went to the Fountain Gate (just below the Dung Gate on our map), and continued directly up the steps of the City of David. Steps here is ma’alah meaning “stairs, a high degree, climactic progression.”
To be risen to the heights just for a nice view is a waste. We are there to do exactly as the leaders, our Helper Priest, and this choir: to turn our faces to Him and proclaim His greatness by singing a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Even in the middle of the carnage, disillusionment, fear and polarizing politics. We say thank you because He is not shocked, not wringing His hands, never oblivious or aloof. Always near to the broken-hearted, a Father of just love, patient that we may come to repentance.
Once on the wall, this particular group moved past David’s house and continued east as far as the Water Gate (Number 9 on our map).
All this talk about walking on a city wall makes me think of how we joined the team living in a city in China one summer to do this weekly. Every person there to teach or learn, work or travel, who also loved and wanted to share Jesus, would prayer walk the wall of the city every Friday. Without fail, at least a representative of believers would pray God’s Words back to Him, asking His Spirit to move in people’s lives that they may come to worship Him in the unique, cultural way He created them. It was beautiful and powerful and opposed. Anywhere the enemy has strongholds in a culture, the spiritual forces of evil will resist Truth.
Friends, our culture is no different. If anything has our allegiance above His kingdom, it will become an individual and communal stronghold. And if we refuse to lay down our idols, He must – as any good Father would do – discipline us for our own good.
Remember, He’s incapable of being petty, has no need to throw around swagger boastfully. This is all His. There is nothing left to prove. But His way forward demands our whole hearts in obedience to Him. Saying to myself at the same time: does He have them?
All I can say is, if He is turning our faces toward justice and showing us areas in which to repent, He intends to meet us there.
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