“[The document was sealed with…the following priests:]
Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin…”
Nehemiah 10:7
Last time we saw how priests’ names can remind us He surrounds and defends, and we bow to bless. Today we will see what goodness three new priests have for us.
First we have Meshullam, whose name we have seen before in Nehemiah 3, listed among the priests who threw in to help rebuild the wall, and in 6:18 when describing political alliances. It also showed up in Nehemiah 8:4 as one of the men standing on a platform beside Ezra as he read the Law to the people. Because our current section is about priests who signed the covenant, it is most likely the first Meshullam – or a member of his family – that our verse today is about.
This name comes from shalam – to make amends, allied, to be complete or sound, make an end, finish, give again, make good, be safe, friendly, reciprocate, be at peace, make restitution, surely restore.
You may have noticed this word looks much like shalom – completeness, soundness, welfare, peace. Shalam seems to be what we as people can do to cooperate with God as He ushers in shalom: finish arguments, make amends; restore what was broken or stolen, and make restitution for injustice done – individually and corporately. To ally ourselves with those who also seek His kingdom come, giving again if necessary. To ask Him to help us find our worth in Him so these things are possible in our naturally self-protective tendencies.
Our next priest to sign his name to the covenant is Abijah whose name means, “Yah is my father” from ab (father) and Yah.
Indeed, there is nothing like knowing the Creator of the Universe is your Father. And I love how ab means father and Jesus called His Heavenly Father Abba, Daddy. Not just a formal title, but an endearing relationship. Not simply one who disciplines, but one who tickles and wrestles, cuddles and soothes. An affectionate, safe, and tender relationship. And we are invited into such a relationship because of what Jesus did.
Our final priest in today’s verse is Mijamin – a form of Minyamin “from the right hand.” Which, Biblically speaking, seems to be from where all these other blessings flow. The right hand speaks of authority and power.
When we are up against impossible odds, there is One Who can supply all that’s needed from His right hand. When we start to believe this world system or the enemy will prevail, we can remind ourselves He created it all in the first place and upholds us with His right hand as we take our stand within it. And when we aren’t sure the collective efforts of the worldwide Church will make a dent against evil, we can remind ourselves of the Savior Who unites us, the One sitting at the right hand of God Almighty.
Yah is our Father and we can be at peace.