“The rest of the Israelites, with the priests and Levites, were in all the towns of Judah, each on their ancestral property.

The temple servants lived on the hill of Ophel, and Ziha and Gishpa were in charge of them.”

Nehemiah 11:20-21

Last time we saw two gatekeepers, Akkub and Talmon, both names with difficult meanings. We challenged ourselves to be insidious in guarding against evil, and not allowing fear lead to oppression. Today we see where the rest of the folk settled.

The rest here in “the rest of the Israelites” is the word shear, which can also mean remnant or survivors. If you think about it, our returned exiles were survivors: they had endured being raised in a land not their own, obeyed the call to repopulate the Holy City, helped rebuild Temple and the city wall amidst much opposition, had mourned their generational sin, and now were ready to settle in and live.

And where? “On their ancestral property.” This is one word, nachalah, meaning “possession, inheritance, gift, portion, heirloom, estate, heritage.” It’s crazy to me how our extended family is in the midst of crunching numbers and deciding on long-term care for a loved one while a word meaning “estate, inheritance, and portion” is my…well, portion, for the week.

To realize how financially wise our family has been is challenging. But when I told a few of the details of long term care insurance to our oldest son, he goes, “Wow. Thank You, God.”

Yes. No matter what kind of earthly inheritance we may have received or could pass on to others, it is all ultimately from His kind hand. That’s what a gift is – something that can’t be earned. The Israelites themselves hadn’t earned this land, after all. It had been given to them by God after the Exodus from Egypt, and they had lost it due to their own idolatry. Even the return to Jerusalem wasn’t due to their goodness, but His.

So does that mean those with no earthly inheritance are not beneficiaries of a kind God? I have so many thoughts on all the ways we think money can save and satisfy, but those who are poor have lessons upon lessons to teach we who are middle class in spirit. I’m talking to myself here.

But I also can’t help but see, particularly in our country, ways certain groups have benefited, taking land cultivated for generations by others, parceled out to those of European descent. And the resulting ability to pass on profits to the next generation.

And when those of African descent, brought not of their own will to this land, band together and create thriving cultures, others made sure to squelch them in a rage. Talk about survivors.

Even a cursory glance at such a devastating list of injustices points to how the inheritance conversation cannot possibly be had on an even playing field. So what should we who have benefited from a certain system do? Wring our hands, feel guilty, deny or ignore it?

I think we know those aren’t our only options. A friend recently pointed out how the Jesuit priests are seeking to raise $100 million for the descendants of enslaved people their particular order owned. They cannot go back and change their ancestors’ decisions to buy human beings, but they can acknowledge that their own inheritance was elevated based on others’ forced labor. And help begin to set things right with the living generations of those who were oppressed.

We can all find ways in our personal and corporate lives to acknowledge what we have is ultimately not ours, and therefore – rejecting fear of what we may lose – open our hands to what is right.

Our final section points out where the temple servants (nethinim) lived: On the hill of Ophel. This name comes from aphal – up, be lifted up, elated, swell, presume. Do your thoughts immediately turn to pride? Like getting a swelled head or acting presumptuously? Me, too.

But what about elated? Or being lifted up by others? Yes, I like those parts of the definition. Either way, Ophel’s hill was up and it housed those whose job it was to do tasks around Temple, ultimately lifting the Name high.

Finally, our rich verses point out two men in charge of these temple servants. We’ll acknowledge the second one first, Gishpa, as his name comes from an unknown origin, giving us no meaning to chase down. The other man in charge is Ziha whose name comes from tsicheh – parched, drought, dried up.

I’ll forever be grateful He does new things:

See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19

Ours is a God of hope, forever at work. Streams in the desert is His specialty.

“The gatekeepers:

Akkub, Talmon and their associates, who kept watch at the gates—172 men.”

Nehemiah 11:19

Last time we saw two Levites who stayed in the city, grateful that our God of justice always rolls out righteousness. Today we see two specific gatekeepers for Jerusalem.

Gatekeeper is shoer from shaar – gate, opening, court, town, port. It’s been awhile (2 years) since we’ve been focused on this responsibility. During the rebuilding fo the city, Nehemiah put gatekeepers in charge of not only protecting Temple, but guarding the city itself. Our governor gave them specific instructions, including opening the gates late in the day, and closing them before the sun went down.

Our first gatekeeper is Akkub, which means “insidious,” from aqab – follow at heel, assail insidiously, circumvent, overreach, supplant, take, deal craftily. Wha? Those are some rough synonyms. Perhaps those are the qualities you would want, however, in someone guarding your city.

Given the news and stuff in personal relationships, though, I am more likely to compare this name’s definition to sin. The way it numbs you to a tender heart, creeping in on relational bonds, finding crafty ways to try and hem us in. With the entire goal of taking over who is on the throne of our personal and corporate lives.

The beautiful part is there is nothing sin can touch that overreaches God’s domain. Bowing, confessing, repenting in actions is just one decision away. The heart doesn’t even have to be fully persuaded yet, the right action can come and the desire can follow. It really can be that easy. But we must be just as insidious, as consistent in following the heel of obedience, as we were veering off course. Change of mind, change of action, takes work.

Our second gatekeeper is Talmon, a name we’ve seen in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 and 11. It’s from the word chargol – oppressive, a type of locust, cricket, creeping insect; from charag – to quake, leap suddenly, be afraid.

Again, not the most delightful name. But it’s interesting to me that oppressive and be afraid are both listed here. I often think that is the bottom line of oppression in individuals and collective groups – fear. Fear of losing power, fear of being found out, losing control, changing.

But we weren’t designed for it – to oppress or be oppressed. So letting go is always a relief. After all, “[o]nce developed, a locust plague is almost impossible to stop or control.” (Source) It devours everything in sight.

So this Akkub and Talmon were the men who kept watch over Jerusalem – shamar: to keep, watch, preserve, guard, protect, hedge about with thorns. Sounds like a good thing, as much was at stake.

How about us? Mind you, we don’t make a thorny hedge or presence between us and other people in general. On the contrary, we spend our lives for the gospel on behalf of our neighbor. But we do guard what is precious, not throwing pearls to pigs. We refuse to let locusts eat what God has allowed to bloom – in our families, churches, in movements to justice and peacemaking.

Gates let in the good and keep out the evil. May we have discernment and strength in Him to do the same.

“[From the Levites]…Bakbukiah, second among his associates; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. The Levites in the holy city totaled 284.”

Nehemiah 11:17b-18

Last time we saw a Levite, Mattaniah, whose job was to lead in intercession and praise. Today we are introduced to two more Levites staying in the City.

First is Bakbukiah, which means “emptying of Yah.” It’s from baqbuq – a flask, gurgling from emptying. This word’s origin is from baqaq, which, though spelled the same, has two separate definitions. The first is “luxuriant, make empty, utterly, make void, depopulate, to spread out as a fruitful vine.” Unfortunately, even in the fruitful vine portion, it is not used in a positive sense. In Hosea 10, it denotes the more fruitful the vine, the more pagan altars. The second definition of baqaq is similar: “to empty, demoralize, devastate.”

Oh, dear. In a time when the cleansing fire of the Spirit is purifying His Bride – and on clear display to all thanks to social media – we would be wise to take this Word seriously. We want a luxuriant pouring out of His Spirit in our day, but that simply will not happen where injustice prevails. Our pagan altars of reputation, silent complicity, fear of change, lack of vision for a more just future, or simply apathy cannot have more weight than truth, love, and righteousness. God help us courageously follow You. May our abiding in the Luxuriant Vine be utmost.

Our second Levite listed is Abda, whose name comes from abad – to work, serve, slave, bondage, cultivate, impose, labor, perform, plow, till, worship. Service, work, labor, plowing, and worshipping all offer healthy, positive aspects of this definition. Of course, bondage, impose, and unhealthy performing do not. Like most things, what is gifted can become shackles if not kept in its proper place.

Which is why Abda’s father, Shammua, is important in our text today. His name is from our familiar word shama – to listen with intent to obey. Every day, huh? Each morning, awash in fresh mercies, we get to commit – once again – that He knows best, He is worthy of everything, and bowing is our only sane option. Listening with our yes already on the table.

Abda’s grandfather is Galal from the verb galal – to roll, roll away, to commit, roll down, lay wallowing. I looked into the different contexts of this root word usage, including “He trusted in the Lord; Commit your way to LORD; Remove the reproach; The garment rolled in blood will be used for fire; Sky will be rolled back as scroll; [And my favorite:] Let Justice roll down like waters, righteousness like a never-ending stream (Amos 5:24).”

This is indeed an action word. We must actively trust and commit in our seeking the Master. And He actively removes falsehood, rolls away reproach, and rolls down His right judgments, fairness, vindication – mishpat and tsedaqah.

Galal’s father is Jeduthun, which is from yadah, the word we saw last week meaning “to throw, cast, confess, give thanks, praise, throw down.” The focus was on the middle: thanksgiving. Isn’t that what joyful confession brings? The relief of not having to carry our pride, our sin any longer. Simply agreeing with Him that it’s hurting us, hurting others, and casting it off, grateful it is not our birthright as His Children.

After all, these 284 Levites were those who stayed in the Holy City. Holy here is qodesh – to be set apart, sacred. The place in which God chose to fill with His Presence was to be set apart from the watching world. Let’s allow Him to set us apart in Truth.

I haven’t done this in a while, but I thought I’d give it a go again. As always, following Wichita on the Cheap is a great way to stay connected with events and deals around the Wichita area.

Wichita Ballet is giving free performances in different park locations this summer. Wednesday, June 9th, they will be in Naftzger Park at 7 pm.

Speaking of Naftzger Park, you may want to keep up with them on Facebook. They have many other events, including music from players from the Wichita Symphony.

The Wichita Public Pools are offering free swim days at various locations all summer! This Sunday, June 6th, you can swim free at College Hill pool from 1 – 6.

You do know the Library is doing their free reading program again with prizes, right? You can even track your progress with an app on your phone. Plus, you can borrow STEAM to Go! Kits for some summer learning opportunities.

Also! Watermark Books has another Summer Reading Bingo Challenge to join.

And Wichita Parks & Rec has a downloadable Evolve Guide for Summer, including Library and City Arts events!

Bradley Fair is offering their free Summer Concert Series again this year. Tonight, Thursday, June 3rd, hear from award-winning jazz flutist, Kim Scott.

And Bradley Fair is also holding free, outdoor workout classes featuring local fitness instructors. If you click on the Facebook links, be sure to select the correct date at the top! And some require registration, so read the information section. There’s a Bootcamp, Barre Forte, and a MADabolic workout available.

The Sedgwick County Extension Master Gardener volunteers and the Common Ground Producers & Growers Mobile Market are working together to bring back Plant Row for Hungry again this year! So many merchants have agreed to be drop off locations for your summer produce for those who need it.

Thanks to a friend I saw Botanica’s $3 Thursdays is back!

And Carolyn has rounded up ways to watch movies on the cheap with Wichita Movie deals (including $1 Regal movie tickets!)

Have a fabulous week!

“[From the Levites]…Mattaniah son of Mika, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer…”

Nehemiah 11:17a

Last time we saw two heads of Levites, Shabbethai and Jozabad, who were in charge of work outside the Temple walls. Today we dive into a new Levite leader and his lineage.

The Levite’s name is Mattaniah, meaning “gift of Yah,” from mattan – gift/reward and nathan – give, to commit, entrust, set, wholly, yield. For your name meaning to be “reward entrusted from the Most High” would be a lot in which to live up. Or maybe it just points to the truth that all we have is a gift from the Father of heavenly lights who does not shift like shadows. He has entrusted it to us, every breath, each sunset, the storms and calm, knowing one day we will answer to Him on whether we wholly yielded to commit it back to Him.

Mattaniah’s father is Mika, an abbreviation of Mikayah – “who is like Yah?” from Yah, mi (who?), and ki (doubtless). It essentially asks, “Who is doubtless?” Is there anyone, from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, where we can find One such as Him? If we make our bed in the depths, He is there. Who can do that? If we rise on the wings of the dawn, if we settle on the far side of the sea, even there His hand will guide us, His right hand will hold us fast. Can you name another like this?

Can you picture yourself at the foot of the tallest mountain, determined to climb but in awe of its breadth and height? The enormity of its stature, let alone the One Who brought it up out of the depths? Can anyone else do that?

Could you picture just our galaxy, ours alone, in the infinite abyss of space with its stars and planets in orbit? Do you see our gigantic ball of fire, the sun, as but a mere teeny star in such an expanse? Can anyone else do that?

What of the ocean depths, the limit of which would crush us as humans, but which house creatures we are still uncovering? Animals and plants and life which only exist for His pleasure, untouched by humans. Can anyone else do that?

And our mountains, galaxies, and oceans are not the only things vast. What of our emotional needs, our hurts and fears, our joys into which others can never fully enter? Not completely. Only Him. Who is like Yah? Who else is doubtless? There is none.

Mika’s father’s name comes from the word we can’t seem to get away from: zebed. The name is Zabdi which, as we know, means “gift or giving.” So much talk of gifts, it seems as though we should pay attention, huh?

So…how often do you think of the gifts in your life? Do you easily begin to think of things as that for which you’ve worked hard? Things you’ve earned? How about giving? How does your heart do with the idea of generously giving away?

Whatever your honest answer, I’m sure I’ve been there. As someone who is moving not only a classroom, but schools this year, I’m at the stage of throw it all out! And, at the same time, let’s buy all the new things for a fresh start. But I want to be someone who wastes less, doesn’t jump to buy more, and has open hands with the things in my life.

Zabdi’s father is Asaph, a name we’ve sen in Ezra 2 & 3 and Nehemiah 2 & 7. It might also ring a bell as an intro to a section of Psalms as “a psalm of Asaph.” The name itself means “gatherer” from the verb asaph – gather, remove, collect, all together, assemble, destroy, lose, rear guard, take away, victim, withdraw.

So this Asaph, a great-grandfather of the Levite in our verse, points us to both pulling together and taking away. Interesting, huh? When definitions have such opposite meanings, it always makes me want to figure out why. I suppose because when you bring together one thing, other things must go.

If we say yes to loving our neighbor as ourselves, we cannot at the same time hold onto things which harm them. If we want to honor the dignity of people, we can’t also collect practices which deny the truth as fellow image bearers. And if, quite practically, we want to gather in something new, we have to let go of the old. I cannot have both an old stove and new and expect there to be space to cook. In the same way, I cannot cling to ways of thinking which have proven to elevate one group over another and expect those groups to not cry foul.

That we may see the Body of Christ – universal, world-wide, all together – as our arm, our fellow finger, our hurting knee, our powerful leg. As we assemble under His headship, we can take away that which dishonors Him and His Bride while gathering in all that brings His kingdom into the here and now. May we see fresh wineskins in our day.

Now that we’ve seen our Mattaniah’s family lineage, we can look at his role in this verse. He “began the thanksgiving with prayer.” Or led in (techillah – a beginning, first time, before, previously; from chalal – to pierce, break) the thanksgiving (yadah – to throw, cast, confess, give thanks, praise, throw down) with prayer (tephillah – intercession, supplication, hymn; from palal – intervene, interpose, expected, meditate, make judgment favorable).

His role was to pierce the silence before praise and confession with intercession. What an incredible role! If, before we begin to praise Him for our blessings, we first intercede for others, we quite know what to do with said gifts. And if we refuse to lay our gift at the altar before first reconciling with our brother or sister, our praises will rise as incense.

May we be first in our own hearts and in our gatherings to mediate and ask on behalf of others. It would be a gift to Yah.

“[From the Levites]:

…Shabbethai and Jozabad, two of the heads of the Levites, who had charge of the outside work of the house of God…” 

Nehemiah 11:16

Last time we began looking at a Levite and his family line, remembering our Help rises to meet us. Today we see two heads of the Levites who stayed in our capital city.

Shabbethai is listed first. His name comes from shabath, as in Shabbat, meaning to cease, desist, rest, celebrate, cause to make fail. I’ve been thinking about sabbath this week, as yesterday was our last day of school for the summer. I’m ready for more relaxed schedules, time with friends and family, working on neglected projects, and longer daylight hours.

And the idea that we’re commanded to rest weekly, combined with our Shepherd leading us beside green pastures and quiet waters, makes me grateful for a God Who isn’t impressed with our productivity.

But the word celebrate in this definition also makes me grateful. Someone pointed out on social media recently how the Sabbath was a social justice issue for the people of God. Everyone was given the opportunity to rest – the land, the animals, those with greater means to those without – no one’s work could be exploited. And not just for legalistic reasons of keeping the sabbath, but to celebrate!

We get to find happiness and beauty from Him in the daily grind, but sometimes the command to rest makes such things all the more apparent. When we have time to observe a butterfly or marvel with a toddler over a ladybug, the last thing we need is rushing or deadlines, quarterly projections or brainstorms. We simply get to celebrate the God of creation.

The second Levite is Jozabad whose name means “the LORD has bestowed” from Yah and zabad – bestow upon, endow with, to confer, endure. This reminds me of Zabdiel’s name from our study two weeks ago. His name came from a very similar word, zebed, which means gift or dowry. And it all points to something given to us, rather than earned on merit.

So what has Yah endowed you with? Not for your personal fulfillment, but for the building up of His Body? Any gift from the Spirit is conferred upon you because He has conferred on us a Kingdom, which He told His first followers about over a Passover celebration meal. And this Kingdom looks better and better the more suffering we see in the present one.

So these two men, Shabbethai and Jozabad, are said to have charge of outside work of God’s House. Have charge is the word melakah we have seen before for “labor, project, cattle, craftsmanship, business.” And outside work is the word chitson which means “outer, external, utter, without, outer wall, secular (as opposed to sacred); same as chuts – abroad, field, highway, to sever; from chayits – a party wall; outside street.”

What do we make of this? Is this yard work and building repair as needed, or does it refer to those Levites whose work was beyond the walls of the Temple in everyday life? While I didn’t seek more specifics about their roles, I like to think of both contexts.

Do you know anyone who’d rather be outside than in? Who feels most at home among the earth and sky, animals and trees? Who would rather pluck out their eyes than sit at a desk eight hours a day? If that’s you, I love thinking of all the possibilities in serving God’s kingdom out of doors. Planting and reaping, caring for animals, gardening and landscaping, farming and investigating. Serving creation is sublime.

How about those whose work is beyond the Temple walls? Which is to say, everyone. Even those with the title pastor walk on this very real earth, with everyday wounds and hurts, difficult people and rejections, health diagnoses and arguments. But what of this secular versus sacred bit? I looked up secular just to see its definition, and was most struck with temporal and layman as synonyms. Those whose work has to do with space and time – versus eternity – or whose work is not specifically spiritual.

I tend to be of the belief that when the Spirit resides in you, everything you touch can be sacred. So what about those on the outside? Those who would rather be on the outer wall than the inside Temple? Or, for various reasons, do not feel they deserve to be on the inside?

I think our ministry to those who feel severed from God is of utmost importance. If what we do inside Temple has no bearing on the people we live among every day of the week, we need to beg to see with His eyes. And please note the delightful phrasing of party wall.

Where does that take you in your head? Please don’t tell me the fun is all outside Temple and only dull drudgery is inside. If that’s the case, we don’t know our Father. But what about the version of partying when you’re running from emptiness? Or you are trying to forget and end up using others in your quest? Or you simply want your own way and refuse to be told how to live your life?

Perhaps that’s where severed and party come to meet. It seems like a common theme in this way of life is intensity, excitement, and adrenaline in the beginning, only to realize you have cut yourself off of genuine life – relationship with God and others. Out of sync with how our universe is designed, loneliness nearly always sets in.

And what of those whose labor is among such as these? Whose work, craftsmanship is among the fields ripe for harvest, outside Temple? Unless you know in your bones how God has saved you from yourself, and any opportunity to love others is zabad – a gift of grace – your work will likely be tied to pride. But if rejoicing in your salvation is your heart, there’s no better place to be when seeking to share Hope than among those desperate for it.

May we find such joy in Him our work among the fields is overflow.

“From the Levites:

Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni…”

Nehemiah 11:15

Last time we saw the final descendants from our associate to the priests, Amashai, in order to remind ourselves what we have to offer is God. Today we dive into the Levites who helped populate and serve in Jerusalem.

First up is Shemiah which mean “Yah hears” from Yah and shama – to hear, listen with intent to obey. Because I haven’t been obedient with sugar this week, I’m not excited about this one today. But I want to listen closely and hear what He’s saying to me, even when I mess up. And I’m glad that Yah is the One Who hears in this name. He listens, and in perfect obedience, follows through. That I, that we, might do the same with His help.

Shemiah’s father is Hasshub, which comes from chashab – intelligent, to think, account, calculate, consider, determine, devise, esteem, intend, meant, mindful, planned, plot, regard, scheme, skillful, think, cunning, fabricate, contrive in malicious sense. Yeesh, some strong words in there. While intelligence, consideration, intention, and planning are good, calculating, plotting, scheming, and maliciously cunning should never define children of God.

I’ve thought several times in the past few months what it means to practically live out being shrewd as snakes, innocent as doves. It seems this definition touches upon some of the paradox, this seeming contradiction. I happened upon an old notebook while sorting through school stuff this week. I was struck by the phrasing David used in the Psalms I had listed:

Do not let me be put to shame

For I take refuge in You…

Free me from the trap that is set for me

For you are my refuge…

You are my hiding place…

For Your Name’s Sake, preserve my life;

In Your righteousness, bring me out of trouble…

I cry to You, seek Your help, need Your protection…yet I will take refuge, I will hide, I will seek to be brought out of trouble and freed from a trap. I do, and yet I rely on You to do. Shrewd in the verse above from Matthew implies prudence and wisdom, understanding and intention, to observe and set your mind. The Greek root is from phren, the root of the English word diaphragm. It means midriff, heart, mind…”the parts around the heart…visceral opinion; what a person ‘really has in mind;’ inner outlook…that regulates outward behavior.”

So, perhaps this is our answer to the difference in the more negative definitions of chashab with its positive. What is overflowing in our heart will come out in our lives. If we are storing up goodness, joy, faithfulness, self-control on the inside, prudence, wisdom, intention, and consideration will pour forth. If, however, we are calculating, scheming, and maliciously plotting against others, what gushes from our lives will poison our relationships with God and people.

Hasshub’s father is Azrikam whose name means “My Help has Risen” from ezer (helper) and qum (to arise, stand up, accomplish, brighter, build, confirm, endure, establish, fulfill, grown, prepared, raised, restore, rouse, strengthen, surely take stand, abide.)

Ezer has recently been a more discussed term as we look at Genesis, naming Eve as Adam’s helper. While getting into controversy over women’s roles is not my intention, I can appreciate how we talked to a friend whose wife of decades is working through stroke rehab at a care facility. He’s scared and misses her and mused about it all putting life into perspective.

We all need help, don’t we? We need each other in our lives, healthy community on this often arduous journey. But only One Help will rise, prepare, eternally restore and strengthen us. He is Who accomplishes more than we can ask or imagine as we abide.

Azrikam’s father is Hashabiah which means “Yah has taken account” from Yah and chashab, the same mindful/cunning word from above. But don’t you love that when it’s Yah Who has taken account, there will not be any trace of deceit, maliciousness, or evil scheming involved? But He considers, regards, and is mindful of His children and the affairs of this world in a perfectly holy and just way.

The final descendant listed is Bunni which comes from banah – to surely build, rebuild, construct, fashion, fortify, have or obtain children, restore. Our second word of the day to mean build or restore, one which we’ve rightfully seen in a book about rebuilding a city, the wall, and its people.

Are you grateful we serve a God in the business of rebuilding and restoring? Life tears us down, and sometimes life requires we tear down: lies, strongholds, injustice. But God is ever a builder, fortifying His Church and fashioning disciples who know from where their Help comes.

“[Amashsai son of Azarel]….the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, and his associates, who were men of standing—128. Their chief officer was Zabdiel son of Haggedolim.”

Nehemiah 11:13b – 14

Last time we saw the final descendants of our priest, reminding ourselves of God’s faithfulness when life tears us to pieces. We also looked at an associate, Amashai, and began a journey into his lineage, glad for our burden-bearing Savior.

Today we pick up with Amashai’s grandfather, Ahzai, whose name means “Yah has grasped.” This is the only occurrence of the name which comes from Yah and achaz – to grasp, take hold, take possession, attach, caught, drawn, fastened, gripped, hold, hold fast, seized, take possession, trapped, be affrighted, take portion.

My husband was describing a frustration with me this week by saying, “It just didn’t seem like he was willing to reach out and help.” It matters to us, doesn’t it? That someone would care enough to catch us and hold fast when we’re about to fall or feel trapped. May we take hold of one another in an interconnected, healthy way that grips our relationships with love when life makes us afraid. After all, the One Who connects us will never let go.

Ahzai’s father is Meshillemoth, which comes from our familiar word shalam – to make amends, to be complete or sound, make an end, finish, full, give again, to be safe, be at peace, make restitution, restore. We cannot seem to get away from this definition, can we? Perhaps because we continue to mess up, needing to make amends, requiring asking and extending forgiveness until eternity. Jesus, make shalam our hearts, what flows out of us because of all You’ve made at peace within us.

Our final descendant in this family is Immer which likely means “talkative” from amar – to utter, say, address, answer, command, intend, give order. That someone in our associate’s lineage’s name means talkative makes me smile. How do you picture Jesus, God-in-skin, when you read the Gospels? Is He talkative or more withdrawn? Quiet or compelling – or both? I picture Him as the perfect blend of both, and I’m grateful that when He has something to say, it comes straight from His Father.

I like this next section in our verse, which describes the associates helping our priests as men of standing. In the Hebrew it is something of a redundancy, literally meaning mighty men of valor. That might and valor are both mentioned forces us to pay attention, so let’s start with “mighty.” It comes from gibbor meaning strong, mighty, champion, great, helper, heroes, valiant, excel, giant; from gabar – become, conduct arrogantly, exert, magnify, prevail, act insolently.

Uh oh. Lots of ways to fall off the rails on this one, huh? From being a hero or giant in our own eyes, to conducting ourselves arrogantly or insolently, living out this word requires wisdom. So what does strength, greatness, magnificence and prevailing look like in someone who seeks to honor Christ?

I’d say it is someone willing to admit weakness and repent. Someone who takes their commitments seriously and serves rather than looking for a champion’s medal. Someone who pours out their strength on behalf of others that they may come to know the Source of their excellence. Someone whose life produces fruit that looks like Jesus.

Keeping that in mind, let’s look at [men] of standing or valor. The word here is chayil, which in recent years has become more well known because of the praise in Proverbs 31, eshet chayil, woman of valor. It means something similar to gibbor, namely “strength, wealth, valor, army, able, capable, excellent, substance, worthy;” from chul – to be firm, strong, endure, prosper.

The parts of the definition which most struck me were those from the root word, chul: to endure, stay firm. As in, if this is what godly strength looks like, keep on in that strength. Be firm against what others or the world might tell you strength looks like. Consciously reject anything of less substance, something less worthy, to base your life upon. Stand firm in Christ as a solider in the army of the God Who has all the hosts of heaven to do His bidding. Find your wealth, your legacy, your endurance in Him.

I hope that is how these associates of Yahweh’s Temple sought to live their lives in Jerusalem. Their commitment to stay and serve shows their desire to move that direction. May we all seek to be people of God, mighty in Him, enduring to the end.

After recognizing this lineage, and that there were 128 mighty men of valor, we see the chief officer of them, Zabdiel. His name means “my gift is God” from el and zebed – endowment, dowry, gift.

Don’t you like that these synonyms point to being given something rather than earning it? If you receive a gift, you can’t take credit for it. If you’re endowed with a certain trait, it implies a Creator Who supplied it. If you acquire a dowry you cannot take credit for what the woman, and her family, brought to the marriage.

In short, what we have to offer is from God. What we have to offer is God. My gift is God.

To finish this particular section, we find that Zabdiel is listed as “the son of one of the great men.” In the English translation, that is capitalized as a man’s name, Haggedolim. But the word itself is from gadol – great, bitter, exceedingly, deep, hard, noble, screamed, elder, high thing, insolent, violent; from gadal – to grow up, become great, advanced, arrogant, rich, boast, educated, enlarged, magnify, promoted, exceed, give.

Sometimes that’s all there is, huh? Just a prodding, then a decision, to grow up. To take what we’ve learned, refuse to continue going the way we know is not best, and going the right way. To let go of violence, bitterness, hardness of heart, arrogance. To accept we’re broken and move forward anyway. To choose the only worthy High Thing in our pursuit of all the high things that might deliver. To let the lessons we’ve been educated in life stick and magnify the One Who taught us on many a field trip.

To be a child of the Great One is our royal right. May we live like it.

“[From the priests…Adaiah]…the son of Pashhur, the son of Malkijah, and his associates, who were heads of families—242 men; Amashsai son of Azarel…”

Nehemiah 11:12c -13a

Last time we saw three more of Adaiah’s descendants, grateful Yah remembers, strengthens, and has interposed His precious blood. Today we see the final two descendants, along with an associate.

Our first descendant is Pashhur, a name we have seen in Ezra 10 and Nehemiah 10. Its root word is pashach – to tear into pieces. It’s used in Lamentations 3:11, a chapter I had to reread to understand why the author was feeling so targeted by God. I like how The Message version describes that He led the author into deep darkness, turned him into skin and bones, shackles on his feet and wrists, the butt of all jokes, prayers to heaven blocked, and how

He’s a prowling bear tracking me down,
    a lion in hiding ready to pounce.
He knocked me from the path and ripped me to pieces.
    When he finished, there was nothing left of me.
He took out his bow and arrows
    and used me for target practice.”

(Lam. 3:10-12)

Whoa. And, what? What God is this?

I won’t pretend to know all the answers to the suffering questions, but just this week I quoted to my son a friend who, when she shares the difficulties in her life story, has heard more than once, “How can you still believe in God after all that?”

Her reply? “How could I not? There were times when He was all I had.”

Yes. Whatever the circumstances behind these painful acts, the author comes to know God in such intimacy through it. We like to rush to verses 22-24, but it takes 1-20 to appreciate them. It takes,

“I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness,
    the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed.
I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—
    the feeling of hitting the bottom…”

Before we can rejoice with him that,

“…there’s one other thing I remember,
    and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,
    his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning.
    How great your faithfulness!
I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).
    He’s all I’ve got left.”

Whether He’s allowing us to be sifted as wheat, or the suffering of this world refine us, we can hang onto hope because His compassions will never fail, new every morning.

Our final descendant listed in Adaiah’s lineage is Malkijah, a name we’ve also seen before. It means “My King is Yah” from Yah and melek – king, royal; from malak – to become king/queen, to reign, consult, ascend to throne, induct into royalty.

Again, this assumption that something will reign – in our hearts, our allegiance, our finances, time, and attention. It’s not whether we have a king, something or someone to whom we bow down, but whether it is Yah. And that one stings.

It seems to take a daily, hourly practice of bowing, opening our hands, saying, again, “You’re right, that’s not best for me. I agree. Take it, Lord.” Then messing up again and repeating the process. Hopefully as we go, it becomes quicker, our hearts less satisfied with anything less than My King is Yah.

We now get into some associates who worked with our priest Adaiah, the first one listed as Amashai. The name likely comes from amas – to carry a load, bears our burden, borne, lift, took their load, burdensome.

Glad for the reminder today that

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
    who daily bears our burdens.”

(Psalm 68:19)

There’s some stuff we just can’t bear on our own, and a lot we weren’t meant to carry. While we cannot care about everything, and our job is not to fix the world, we can be grateful that what He calls us to, He will help us bear. And God-In-Person said, “I am gentle and lowly in heart…My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

If you’re like me, it becomes too much to bear when we’re taking it ten steps down the road. While intention, long range vision, and wisdom all consider the long view, obedience is always in the moment. Let’s take one step at a time with our Burden-bearing Savior.

Amashai’s father is Azarel, a name we saw back in Ezra 10. It means “God has Helped” from el and azar – to help, ally, further, restrains, supporting, protect or aid. When looking up all usages of this word in His Word, I was particularly struck by Psalm 118:13.

“I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall,
    when God grabbed and held me.
God’s my strength, he’s also my song,
    and now he’s my salvation.”

Verse 13-14 (MSG)

That God restrains in our journeys through this world, protecting us from evil, forever helping Christ be formed in us is worth a Hallelujah.

Praise the Lord, God has Helped.

“[From the priests…Adaiah]…the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah…”

Nehemiah 11:12b

Last time we dove into the associates who worked on the daily duties of Temple, along with one particular man listed, Adaiah, and his father, Jeroaham, reminding ourselves of God’s compassionate heart. Today we continue on with three more of Adaiah’s descendants.

First up is Pelaliah which means “Yah has interposed.” This is the only occurrence of the name, originating from palal – to intervene, intercede, make judgment favorable, meditate, pray, to entreat, to judge (officially or mentally).

I can appreciate how the assumption in this definition is judgment is inevitable. That we will be judging, even if just mentally, and when judgment is executed, there might be one who intervenes to turn it favorable. In The Divine Conspiracy, Willard points out how the type of judging needed – the saying clearly what a thing is – is quite different from what Jesus told us to avoid in, “Do not judge, lest you be judged.”

His example involved a dentist pointing out a patient’s teeth having cavities, decaying, and the need for intervention or treatment. Quite different from making assumptions about the person with decay, this naming of what a thing is that it might be treated is crucial.

In our walks, we must judge in this way. We collaborate with God in bringing His Kingdom here on earth as we point out what is wrong in order to make right. When we refuse to do this, or do it in such a way that anyone in disagreement is then judged in the condemning way, we likely need to focus on the other part of the definition: meditating on the Word, marinating our mind in Truth, pouring out our anger and bitterness, and praying for anyone involved.

The reason we can do this is our worth is already proven on the cross. He has interposed His precious blood, lives to make intercession for us, and, due to nothing of our own merit, the judgment on High toward us is favorable. We can rest in that.

Pelaliah’s father is Amzi whose name comes from amets. Hold onto your hats, because this definition is long: to be strong, stout, bold, alert, conquered, courageous, of good courage, determined, hardened, made obstinate, made firm, made her strong, increases, mighty, proved strong, raises, summoned, support, confirm, steadfastly minded, establish, fortify, prevail, strengthen self.

Other than hardened and obstinate, which have negative connotations, we can take away much from those synonyms. What would it mean to be bold, fortified, courageous, and mighty in His strength? Saying what needs to be said, but in a tenderness only the Spirit can bring? Being of good courage as we’re summoned to our race, steadfast in purpose, joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer? I think it would mean His Name hallowed, His will done, gratitude for daily bread, and forgiveness dominating our relationships.

Our final descendant today is Zechariah, a name we have seen many times, meaning “Yah has remembered” from Yah and zakar: to call to mind, mindful, confess, remember, recount, account, keep in remembrance.

I’m glad for the reminder of remembering. How does remembering the ways He’s held onto you strengthen your faith? And if you aren’t sure He has yet, could you remind yourself of the times in His Word He promises He will? He is mindful of us, friends. Whatever it is, He sees.

He knows, He brings to mind, He remembers.