“[The document was sealed with…the following priests:]
…Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch…”
Nehemiah 10:6
Last time we stepped into the meanings of 3 priests who signed the covenant to obey Yahweh, remembering our bondage to Him is liberty. Today we check out the next three signers.
We begin with a famous name, Daniel, which means “God is my judge.” This one has personal significance to me as it is my hub’s name and son’s middle name. I love the implications of this definition: we all know we will one day stand before judgment. And this name implies, “Yes, I deserve judgment from people, but the Ultimate Judge has the final say.” The root word of the name is din, which means “to judge, administer, defend, execute judgment, govern, plead, strive, vindicate, sail direct, a straight course.”
Been reading about Solomon and his wisdom from God to govern the people. What a needed trait for those over others, anyone seeking to execute judgment, administer to people, and sail a direct course.
The good news is anyone can receive God’s wisdom.
Step 1: Fear Him
Step 2: Ask
Pretty great deal, huh? But the best deal of all is letting the One Who defends, vindicates, and governs in perfection take control. To ask for wisdom, govern our sphere of influence as He guides, then bow down to let Him do His thing. He’s faithful to do it. Did you read that? He is faithful to do it. Even when it seems like He’s far off. Especially when the problem is generations-long and there feels like little you can control. And most certainly when injustice is at hand and the Righteous King is about to take the side of the widow, orphan, the poor or mistreated, the socially powerless or the broken-hearted.
The next priest to sign is Ginnethon whose name comes from ganan – to cover, surround, defend, protect. I love this minister to God’s people is named by a word which so describes His character. He will cover us with His feathers and under His wings we will find refuge; His faithfulness will be our shield. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people both now and forevermore. His Name is a strong tower and He will protect us from every evil attack, bringing us safely home to His heavenly kingdom.
We need this. As individuals, walking in these fiery times, yes. But also as a Body, corporately seeking to worship and obey, seek justice in His Name, and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Thank goodness He is the embodiment of “ganan,” our Defender Who surrounds.
The final priest listed for today is Baruch which means “blessed.” Its root is barak – to kneel [and by implication] to bless, abundantly bless, bless those who bless, pronounce blessing, salute, thank, bless God and man…also to curse God or the king as treason.
I’ve been thinking about that first part of the definition “to kneel.” And how the latter part is informed by this. While it is unlikely we regularly show blessing and gratitude by physically kneeling to others, the yielding in our hearts shows an emotional or spiritual form of thankfulness.
We kneel to one another when we defer rather than insist on our own way. We pronounce blessing on each other every time we seek to serve rather than be served. And we salute our Commanding Officer when we fight for justice – on our knees and in our loving actions.
You know one other way we tend to kneel? Before small children. Each time we tend to wounds, seek to understand, show them we are not too mighty to come to their level, we abundantly bless them. Which is just like our Savior.
The final portion of our definition has puzzled me: “to kneel [and by implication]…curse God or the king as treason.” I suppose this would mean bowing in respect but not meaning it. Before God, but then refusing to surrender your own will and follow. Before a king, but with the intention of betraying him for a competing kingdom.
May we not bow in hollowness, giving the kingdom of self or this world our hearts. Let’s bow only to bless.