“…and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand. (Nehemiah 8:4b ESV)
“Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people (“every eye was on him” – MSG). When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.” Nehemiah 8:5 (NLT)
Last time we saw Ezra take his place on a platform prepared for the Word, flanked by the men who stood on his right side. Today we see those who stood beside him on his left and the people’s reaction to the Word.
First let’s talk about the names of those taking their stand with Ezra: Pedaiah (“Yah has ransomed”), Mishael (“Who is what God is?”), Malchijah (“My king is Yah”) and Hashum (“Ambassador” from chashman) for starters.
We have seen both Pedaiah and Malchijah before in our narrative. But “Who is what God is?” and Ambassador are new to us. What incredible names. Truly, who can compare to God – not an idea or social construct of a god – but Ha Shem, El Shaddai, Jehovah-Sabaoth, Jehovah-Rapha, Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Tsidkenu…Yeshua. The God of the Holy Scriptures. The only God, Who has not spoken in secret or in a land of darkness. He is not a man that He should lie, a son of man, that He should change His mind. He does not play games, His glory in full view for everyone with eyes to see. He is more than simply the best person you can think of – He is El Elyon. He is God.
Our name may not mean all that, but we get to stand like Hashum – as ambassadors. This is the God to Whom we point. We do not try to explain what is unexplainable, we do not get to say who is welcome and who is shunned. We live and love like the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the Only God – Who chose to walk around on our same dust as the God Man.
How about the other three, flanked on Ezra’s left? We have seen Zechariah (“Yah has remembered”) and Meshullam (“allied” from shalam – make amends), but Hashbaddanah is new. His name is from chashab (think, consider, determine, mindful, plan) and din – to judge, govern, defend. “Considerate Judge.”
To be mindful and consider deeply areas in which we are given to govern is a good idea. The situations in which we are given influence to judge or defend (and we all have such areas daily) necessitate we think through how our various judgements or defenses impact others. We each influence others in every moment. There’s a way to do this with an us-versus-them mentality, defensive and fearful and ashamed. I’ve been there.
There’s also a way to recognize how we influence others in every moment in a we mentality, collectively coming together out of need for each other. Acknowledging we cannot know what the Ultimate Judge knows – and so we fall short when thinking through how our actions impact others. But we care. We desire to grow and learn. I’m learning to be here as well. In our most honest moments, I think we all want to be. The other way is just too tiring.
Ezra stood in full view of the people – the eyes (ayin) of all the folk were on him. When he opened (pathach – appear) the book (sepher – writing, scroll) all the folk arose (amad – act, take one’s stand).
Indeed, when the Sacred Scroll is opened, it opens us. Like a sword straight through joints and marrow, intentions and motives of the heart. We are laid bare, knowing the God Who sees knows all. And yet, when the Living Words appear, even ordinary folk can take their stand. Dressed in His righteousness alone, we can trust Him for the impossible – that His Word will not return empty but will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it. No longer needing to sell or spin, justify or police others, we all come as one: Paupers in need of grace. And He doesn’t rub our faces in it. Ever.
Then with our eyes are opened to His majesty and our need, we joyfully arise to our feet.