Sons of Ater

“The list of the men of Israel…

the sons of Ater (through Hezekiah) – 98

Nehemiah 7:7b, 21

Last time we dove into two forefathers listed in the genealogy Nehemiah found, Jeshua and Joab. Today we see another returned exile and his forefather closer up.

The next person listed whose lineage is included is Ater. His name comes from the Hebrew word atar – to shut, close, bind. One usage of this word is from Psalm 69:15:

Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
or the depths swallow me up
or the pit close its mouth over me.

In the line “…[do not let] the pit close its mouth over me,” close is a form of this same word atar. It is tender to me that one of the only usages listed for this word is in the context of God’s deliverance. And, friends, we have groups of people on our watch who are in need of deliverance.

Maybe you know of people separated from their flesh and blood who have done nothing illegal. Perhaps you know those who have been living here for years and are now facing unjust deportations. It could be you are beginning to realize indigenous people and African Americans and people of color – whether here first, brought here against their will, or legally seeking asylum or a better life – have always been targeted in a way you have never had to face if those categories do not apply to you. I hope so. I hope, like me, you realize how much you have to learn and together we allow those who may seem “other” to teach us. I hope this is true in our solitary learning life and our regular, daily life.

If it is not true of us, the last thing to do is defensively pull back or anxiously despair. The first thing to do is pray. Ask for His Name to be hallowed, His kingdom to come in our sphere of influence, His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. He is on the move and joining Him in ways appropriate to each of our lives simply involve being connected to the Master Whose yoke is easy and burden is light.

Ater’s lineage includes a king of Israel, Hezekiah. His name means “Yah has strengthened” from chazaq – to be or grow firm or strong, become mighty, been arrogant, take courage, repair, recover, withstand.

Hezekiah’s reign included so many wonderful things. He destroyed idols, reopened the Temple, and prayed in times of crisis. He renewed the nations’ worship to Yahweh and invited the divided kingdom to celebrate together. However, he also succumbed to pride in showing off riches to the enemies of Judah. Eventually, what he had was taken from him. All the riches he bragged about were taken to Babylon.

Doing and telling of works in our own strength indeed leads to captivity. Whatever we have: possessions, relationships, talents, social standing, esteem in the eyes of others, is all from Yahweh. It is Yah Who has strengthened.

A friend and I walked and chatted this week about old lady joint stuff. Needing to walk a certain way so as not to increase our pain. It made me think of the ways God talks about strengthening us in His Word:

“And they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ So they strengthened their hands for the good work.”

Nehemiah 2:18

“So don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!”

Hebrews 12:12-13 (MSG)

We get to strengthen our hands and build at His lead. We can spur one another on toward love and important work. But ultimately? Some of us may still walk with a limp. The fantastic news is He uses it for His glory and others’ good.

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.