“[The document was sealed with…the following priests:]
Pashhur, Amariah, Malkijah…”
Nehemiah 10:3
Last time we explored the names of the governor and his scribe who signed the document, along with the first three priests’ names. Today we dive into the meanings of the next three priests.
First up is Pashhur whose name comes from pashach – to tear in pieces; liberation. We have seen this name in Ezra 10:22 on the list of family names of priests who married wives that worshipped other gods.
Before we move on, let’s take a second to remind ourselves why this was a big deal, and the major issue which Ezra, our reforming priest, confronted.
As a people delivered from Egypt, led through the Promised Land, and defended by the God of Angel Armies, the Israelites were to represent Yahweh to the watching nations. This meant they must set themselves apart as sacred.
“He warned them not to adopt the practices and worship of the peoples around. Remember, not because He’s mean but for their own good and to show other nations His character. That they would see His worth and be drawn to Him.
Unfortunately, they did not listen. Many of the Israelites married foreign women and added the worship of their foreign gods to the worship of Yahweh. This does not work. It never will.
Our God is the Great I AM. There is no room for worship of any other.”
If you remember, our returned exiles repented and cut covenant with Ezra to divorce their wives. And we again remind ourselves this had to do with obedience to the Most High, not mean-spiritedness on God’s part. Ezra and Nehemiah were making the necessary, God-given moves to help the exiles form a community of worshippers. Pure worship in this way was necessary.
I find it heartwarming, then, that either this Pashhur in our verse, or someone from his family line, is among the first to sign the agreement to obey God. Sometimes it takes being torn to pieces to find the liberation of Yah. And learning from our missteps as we walk with Him is vital.
Our next priest listed is Amaryah whose name means “Yah has promised.” We have seen this name in Ezra 7:3 when listing Ezra’s descendants, and as a non-priest in 10:42 in those guilty of marrying pagan wives. Because we are now listing priests who are signing the covenant, this is not likely the latter person.
But let’s look again at the meaning of this signing priest’s name. Yah has promised. He has, hasn’t He?
This week I’ve been reading in Matthew and there are some not happy things Jesus tells His disciples. Because of mass shootings and brutality, inhumane language and tribal mindsets, this line struck me anew:
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold…”
While I do not understand all of what this verse means, I can most certainly relate to it recently. When wickedness increases it can be so easy for the fire hot heat of love for Jesus, this world, and others to cool some. Then more. Then one day we look up and our love has grown cold.
We must endure in our love, friends. We cannot let the increase of wickedness decrease the warmth of our hearts. I’m talking to myself.
So while we know things will continue to go downhill with those who refuse to allow Love to rule in their hearts, we can remind ourselves what else “Yah has promised.”
He has promised in this world we will have trouble, but He brings His peace. That we don’t need to worry about what to say, even if brought before rulers, because the Holy Spirit will give us words. That there will be people of every tribe, tongue, and nation before the throne in the New Earth. That nothing can separate us from His love, and He allows the hard to make us more like Jesus, working it all for our good.
There are many more, friends. When times are confusing cling to what He has promised.
We are at our final priest in today’s verse, Malkijah, whose name means, “My King is Yah.” This name is a familiar one in our study of Ezra and Nehemiah, as it is seen in Nehemiah 3:14 as repairer of the Dung Gate, and in Ezra 10:25 & 31 as people from different family lines guilty of marrying pagan wives.
So while none of the three mentioned previously in our text is likely this signing priest, we can again revel in the name of “My King is Yah.”
If you’re wondering if a certain person or political party is worthy of being crowned in your life, it isn’t. If you think maybe popularity or influence, perfection or finances make good kings, they don’t. And if you’re tempted to believe power or attractiveness or comfort should be royal to you, they shouldn’t.
The only One worthy of wearing a crown in your heart and bowing your life for is Yah. Nothing else can save and no one else satisfies.
We bow again today, O King.