“[The document was sealed with…the following priests:]
Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluk…”
Nehemiah 10:4
Last time we looked at three priests’ names and their meanings, reminding ourselves Yah has promised both hard and help will increase. Today we dive into the next three priests.
First up is Hattush, a name of uncertain derivation. We have seen this family line listed in Ezra 8:2 among those returning to Jerusalem with Ezra, and Nehemiah 3:10 among those making repairs near their houses.
Ah, repairs near home. Each time a reference to this part of the rebuilding comes up, I am challenged again in faithfulness to the primary tasks set before me. Have I taken time for honesty before Him internally? Am I aware of our family’s needs, and those nearest to us? What in our physical neighborhood or spiritual community needs tending to? How about yours? While we are all called to a variety of tasks, may we prioritize any repairs needed near home.
Our next signing priest listed is Shebaniah whose name means “Yah has grown/prospered.” We have seen this name in Nehemiah 9:4-5 as one of the Levites ascending the stairs to join in corporate lament.
What do you think of when you read “Yah has prospered?” Perhaps it sounds about right to your stage in life. Or maybe it seems annoyingly absent in the monetary sense. Or possibly we feel prosperous in love and adequate provision but have a hard time thinking of those around the world who are living in poverty or under oppressive and corrupt governments or unjust systems.
But if it’s true Yah prospers, it must be true for anyone who follows Him. Which means it cannot simply be about money. Because those losing jobs or thrown in prison on account of their faith in Jesus often prosper in the spiritual realm in ways we who aren’t cannot understand.
Perhaps we should revisit the other word in that definition: grown. Has Yah grown you? Grown us? Are your roots more firmly and deeply planted in the life-giving soil of His Word, Spirit, and Community? Do things which used to throw you off course no longer steal your peace? Are our branches bearing spiritual fruit as we remain in the Vine? Showing ourselves to be His disciples?
Let’s ask that to be true of us, Believers. Yah has prospered.
Our final priest listed in the verse for today is Malluk which comes from melek (king, royal) and malak (consult; to take counsel; to become king or queen; to reign; ascend to the throne; induct into royalty). We have seen this name in Ezra 10:29 and 32 on the list of those married to women who worshipped other gods.
In this case it is a priest named Malluk, or someone from that family line, signing the covenant document to obey the Most High. I appreciate how one definition of the name is “consult or take counsel.”
How we need wise counsel from one another. How we must rely not only on our own understanding but trust in Him, His perfect way, with all our heart. And how often we should remind one another of the way that seems right to us but actually leads to death.
We all need counsel at some point. No one sails through with no hiccups or confusion on next steps. Nor does anyone reach adulthood with zero baggage and no need to sort through the weeds of wounds. Counsel is necessary for walking in humility, seeing ourselves accurately, and loving one another well. Fortunately we have a Counselor alive inside us.
Of course the royalty part of the definition is enthralling. There is something about kings and queens, princes and princesses that have the potential to enamor. I believe it is because – as wonderful as democracy is – our hearts long for a righteous and just king to rule. One Who has no deceit in Him, loves benevolently, and reigns in perfect justice.
It is coming, friends. The only Royal King Whose throne we will bow before, any crowns gained by running our race thrown at His scarred feet.
And perfect Shalom ushered in as He makes all things new.