“[From the tribe of Benjamin:]
…Their chief officer was Joel son of Zicri, who was assisted by Judah son of Hassenuah, second-in-command over the city.”
Nehemiah 11:9
Last time we saw the final descendant names of those leaders from the tribe of Benjamin who stayed in Jerusalem. Today we see these leaders’ leaders, along with their fathers’ names.
The chief officer of the Benjaminite leaders is Joel, whose name means “The LORD is God” from Yhvh and el (God, mighty, creator). I didn’t know YHVH, the proper name of the God of Israel, comes from havah, meaning “to become.”
It makes me think of how Yahweh told Moses to tell the Israelites I Am Who I Am had sent him. The self-existent One, Who has always been, has name origins in “to become.” I’m not sure what to make of that. El Elyon, Creator God Himself, did not have to go through self help or a process to become perfect. He has always been. King, eternal, immortal, First and Last, Creator and Sustainer.
And yet, how beautiful this never-becoming, always-arrived Perfect One brought forth an entire cosmos which does transform, grow, mature. Humans made in His likeness becoming increasingly like Him if cooperating; Sky and sea and rocks and wildcats, daisies and lemons, salt water and water buffalo simply displaying the pleasures of His fabulous character. Indeed, The LORD is God.
Joel’s father is listed in our verses. His name is Zicri which means “memorable.” While we haven’t seen this name yet in the Word, we have seen its root a number of times. It is from zakar – call to mind, mindful, confess, remember, keep in remembrance.
There is pain right now for so many. In my own life and those I know, I am challenged to keep in mind genuine needs, fears and desires and lay them before God. Being mindful of petitions before Him is only part of the challenge, though. The other part is calling to mind all the ways He’s been faithful in the past. Maybe you’re like me and you forget. You have to purposely remember, “No, I couldn’t see the way forward this one time, but look.” Or, “He hasn’t brought us this far to suddenly be disinterested in next steps for everyone involved.”
Our faithful God will keep on being faithful, friends. Let’s bring this to mind.
This Joel, son of Zicri, is listed as the chief officer of the leaders who stayed in our capital city. Officer is paqid – commissioner, overseer, had charge of, leader, governor. Everywhere I turn I see leadership being refined. From the top down in our nation and the Church, it seems God has set out to bring injustice to light, giving folks the opportunity to both repent and wash feet of those they oversee.
But we don’t get to just sit on the couch and observe on the news or social media. There are aspects over which we have charge of in our personal lives. Areas in which we lead, govern, and commission others with our words, decisions, choices. Otherwise we wouldn’t be made in the image of a free and ruling God.
So let’s ask Him where He is refining us. Asking myself at the same time, do we see our influence as the opportunity to serve? Are we willing to open our hands if He shines light on something which needs to change? And do we look at those under our governance – however small to our own eyes – as image bearers? Help us, Father.
Chief Joel was assissted by Judah, whose name means “celebrated, praised.” It is from yadah – to throw, cast, confess, give thanks, give praise, glorify. This word uses the Hebrew yad, which means hand, in a literal sense. As in to physically throw away or cast something, to revere or worship with extended hands, to bemoan while wringing hands.
Not always, but occasionally I will catch myself sliding my knuckles together. When I retrace my thoughts, it’s usually my version of wringing my hands. I am meditating on situations which are unclear or out of my control. The good news is, with those same hands I can simply separate and lift high in reverence. I am so, so grateful for every action that reminds me our worship is embodied, in the image of an Incarnational God.
Anything you need to cast away – either with literal hands or in your mind? As often as it comes up? Areas in which you’re wringing your hands but could just as easily outstretch them in surrender and celebration of what He will do? None of this is an excuse to downplay genuine grief or real hardship. It is simply next steps in our heart with Him.
Finally in our verse today, Assistant Judah’s father, Hassenuah, is listed. This name means “to prick, thorny.” I don’t know about you, but this conjures up only negative images. Pricking a finger for a blood draw or thorns poking as you reach in a bush or for a rose for beauty.
And yet, it’s the hard that makes the good so precious. It’s the realization that joy and sorrow will always be intertwined in this not-yet-heaven existence. It’s what makes a glorious sunset and disappointing news both pierce the heart. One with beauty, the other with groaning. And it’s what keeps us turning to a God Who is not indifferent, Who holds us through it all.
Oh, thank goodness, The LORD is God.