“On the stairs of the Levites stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani; and they cried with a loud voice to the Lord their God.”
Nehemiah 9: 4-5 (ESV)
Last time we saw the gathered, fasting group stand in their fixed place to read Torah, confess their sins, and worship Yahweh Elohim. Today we see how specific Levites joined in.
“The Levites stood (qum again – to arise, stand up, accomplish, accuse, brighter, confirm, establish, fulfill, prepare, raise, rise, strengthen, surely stand)…”
Our Temple workers also joined in the confession and worship of Yahweh. They arose to accomplish and strengthen the work of becoming a people dedicated to God. And they stood on the stairs (maaleh – ascent, platform, upper section, stairway)…”
Scholars point out these stairs were pulpits where the Levites would stand to sing at the time of sacrifice, elevated to be seen and heard by the people. There were probably several placed at convenient distances to prevent confusion and the voice of one drowning those of the others. Each Levite would teach or pray with that part of the congregation which was allotted them. (Source)
What a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ. Each of us part of a priesthood of believers, singing or teaching or praying with those given to live with and love and serve. And those with an elevated platform? God gives the opportunity to both serve “those allotted them” and spaces them “at convenient distances to prevent confusion and the voice of one drowning those of the others.”
In a time of social media and instant access, the idea of preventing confusion appeals. Seems to me the best way to do that is focus on Who is the point and who we are called to serve.
Because we are all at a different point in our journey, some teaching may be more confusing than helpful, and some healthy disagreement between those who have followed Jesus for years may discourage a new disciple. And heaven forbid any of us drown out the Voice of God, Kol Yahweh, in an effort to teach of Him.
Seeking to love Him through His Word and loving others in our lives is one way we can be faithful with the pulpits given us. We are elevated, Believers, and others are watching. Let’s let Grace and Truth guide.
Several specific Levites are named in this section of Holy Writ, with one name repeated twice and a third name of similar meaning listed as well. Bani is second and seventh in the roll call, while Bunni is fifth. But they are all from the word banah – to build.
We saw this name a chapter ago in Nehemiah 8:7, remembering how, in the wall of Jerusalem, some sections needed only restored while others required deconstruction and reconstruction to be made sturdy.
Friends, God is doing some heavy deconstruction in some large-scale situations in our day. Our job is to join Him even when it gets uncomfortable. Okay, painful. Demolition is intense, but keeping in mind the vision of renovation helps us endure. Renovate is “derived from the Latin verb novare, meaning ‘to make new,’ and suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.” (Source)
It’s hard work, but we’ve been called to it. This is our day, the time to which we’ve been given on planet Earth. We are walking pulpits breathing His life-giving Spirit even into areas of demolition. But, so that we can join Him to cleanse, repair, rebuild. Make new. It’s His specialty. And any pulpit entrusted to us only points to the ultimate ascent of the stairway: God Himself.
The next name listed is Kadmiel which means “God is the Ancient One.” What a name. It comes from the word qedem – aforetime, front, east, formerly. As the sun rises in the east, God is the beginning. In the beginning, God. He is before now, before time. The Ancient One. He always has been and everything flows from Him.
When we’re tempted to feel as though it all rests on us, or our timing is most important, may we lean into the Ancient One. He is not in a hurry and always goes before us. Either we can spin our wheels frantically or walk in peace and power alongside. The Former One is also the Current and Future One. Let’s walk in step with Him.
The next Levite listed is Kenani whose name comes from ken – base, pedestal, office. Followed by Shebaniah which means “Yah has grown, prospered.”
In a world which honors high offices, pedestals, and a prosperous bottom line, we ought to tread lightly with these definitions. If any of these things are true in our lives, let’s remember together it is the most sacred of trusts. Given not for hoarding but for helping.
And what is true of every single believer in the Ancient One and Risen Savior is the office of son and daughter in the Kingdom and a prosperous bearing of spiritual fruit. I don’t type that lightly with the knowledge so many have so little. When you’re scraping by or on the streets or just stole from your family again for your next hit, such promises can seem too other-worldly to matter.
But they’re true. The inheritance of the Kingdom, every spiritual blessing, is ours for the taking whether you’re high on the hog or desperate for dinner. May every one of us know the blessing of being poor in spirit, hungry and thirsty for righteousness. And may we be sick to our stomachs if we gorge on much while others have nothing, our souls dissatisfied at consuming without care. Yah has grown and prospered for the good of all and to His fame. God, help us remember.
We have finally arrived at what our Levites are doing elevated on these stairs: they cried out (zaaq – cry, call out, complain, wail, issue proclamation, rally, call together) with a loud (gadol – great, rich, prominent) voice (qol – sound, cry, witness) to Yahweh their Elohim.
Remembering the sorrow the community felt for their sins and those of their forefathers, the Levites joined in with lament. The cool thing is the word can also mean issue, proclaim, rally, and call together. Yes, I think that’s what our genuine, heart-felt sorrow at the state of brokenness can do. We can call forth in one another more. To be better together and proclaim that, though things are not as they should be, we can rally around growth in that direction. Because the longing brings us together, closer to the heart of God.
Only a God full of compassion and longing would become one with His creation for redemption. Fully human and yet completely God, living just like us and unlike anyone ever could. Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see. All hail the Incarnate Diety.
We wait and rally, cry aloud and hope until He comes again.
Glory to the Newborn King.