“[The document was ratified and sealed with…the leaders of the people:]
…Ahiah, Hanan, Anan…”
Nehemiah 10:26
Last time we examined the depths of compassion, exploring the idea of co-suffering guiding us as a compass on our journey. Today we will see what we can mine from the meanings of three new leaders’ names.
First up is Ahiah, whose name means “brother of Yah” or “worshipper of Yah” from Yah and ach – alike, kinsman, relative, resemblance, kindred.
Yes, please. May we take this definition and run with it in our spiritual lives. For our distinct personalities and experiences to not be overrun, but so eclipsed by the Spirit, that we look like His kin. We resemble Him because of our worship of His holiness. Our lives mirror His just mercy, His love and honor. And as a Body of believers worldwide, we celebrate our cultural diversity yet match one another in heart, like the spiritual relatives we are. Kindred spirits by His Spirit.
Next we have a popular name, Hanan. We have seen this name in Nehemiah 10:10 and 22, and the root word in several other names. It means gracious favor: to bend or stoop in kindness.
It’s what we’re called to, isn’t it? To look at the ridiculous favor, completely unearned, of God and soak it in. Absorb it so fully we are astonished. Then take that gob-smacked appreciation and refuse to refuse it to others. Forgiving offenses, receiving forgiveness when we’ve offended again. Getting back up when we smash into one another on our still-broken tenure here. Bending in kindness when we’d rather stand stiff and above. Gracious favor.
Finally today we have Anan, whose name only occurs here. It means cloud, heavy mist, nimbus or thunder cloud, and comes from anan – soothsayer, enchanter, observer of times, bring, cloud over (figuratively) to act covertly, practice magic. Hmm, enchanter once more.
I was struck this time by those thunder clouds: “The word ‘nimbus’ is derived from Latin meaning rainstorm or cloud (nimbo means rain)…”
“[They] are formed when the air cools and results in condensation of water vapor that is invisible and produces visible cloud or ice droplets…These water droplets then take various shapes and sizes and float in the atmosphere…
“I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me,
for I have redeemed you.”
Isaiah 44:22
…Formation of clouds is also affected by the movement of air currents…Cumulonimbus clouds are the clouds that usually cause thunderstorms, as the water droplets are closely packed or stay in a single mass.” (Source)
The process of cloud formation itself seems a sleight of hand by our Creator. Taking vapor which is invisible and turning it into a visible cloud by bunching up the droplets together.
Kinda like how we cannot see the Wind, as it blows wherever it pleases, but when the Holy Ghost is bunched up in a mass of believers, our invisible God is made visible to a watching world, in the various shapes and sizes of His wildly vast creation.
And how Jesus Himself was God-in-flesh, our Immanuel. The exact image of God, in a human body which we could tolerate, His holiness restrained for our sake.
No, it’s not soothsaying, nor does our Holy One need to act covertly or cloud over His flawless intentions or ways. But when we’re not sure what He is doing – despite how focused we are on observing our times – we can rest in His character, take Him at His Word, and trust when the mist parts and we see clearly, the majesty will be worth the wait.