“[The document was ratified and sealed with]…the following Levites:

Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui from the family of Henadad…”

Nehemiah 9a

On we continue with those signing our covenant to love and obey the God of Israel. Last time we saw the final three priests who signed, remembering we can desist from grief as Yah hears our cries for refuge.

Today we begin our journey with the Levites, those descendants of Levi which God put in charge of taking care of Temple duties.

First up is Jeshua or Yehoshua whose name we have seen quite a bit. It means “Yah saves” from Yah and yasha – to deliver, avenge, preserve, gain victory, rescue, be safe.

We’ve talked before about how in Israel’s history, God sent human avengers to lead the people toward His purposes. But you know what else? He also makes us victorious in our own lives. Rather then relying on others to swoop in and rescue, and not expecting God to do our part, He gently but firmly teaches us to walk with Him in victory. To rely on His Spirit inside and the resources He gave, and simply do what He’s asking us to do.

Praise Him He isn’t into enabling.

But today’s use of yasha speaks to God alone. In the end, none of us can save ourselves. He is the One Who gives ultimate rescue, delivers us from sin, and preserves a people for His renown.

This Jeshua in our verse today is the son of Azaniah whose name means, “Yah has heard.” It comes from azan – give ear, listen, pay attention, perceive by the ear.

Do you ever marvel that God pays attention? Among billions of image bearers, oceans of creatures, and galaxies of light, our God of angel armies gives ear to us. Indeed, He knows what we need before we even ask.

While He does not require a human ear or our audible voice to hear us, how precious is it He took on flesh and did exactly that? That we have a risen Savior, right now seated in heaven, with resurrected ears?

It was not enough in the heart of God for Him to tell Moses through a bush, “I have heard [my people in Egypt] crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering…” but He took on that suffering in His own Body, human ears attuned to humanity’s cries. As one of humanity’s cries.

Humanity is crying in our day. Injustice, greed, broken homes, and trauma. Violence, racism, abuse and neglect. Friends, we must remember He pays attention. No other god came, any other god is worthless to save. But the One Who hears with human ears yet needs none listens.

Our next Levite to sign the document is Binnui whose name comes from banah – to build, construct, fortify, rebuild, restore.

This seems to be a theme for God’s people throughout the Word. I’m currently in I Kings learning about the details of Solomon building the Temple. We know the returned exiles rebuilt Temple and the wall of Jerusalem. And, in line with His profession as a carpenter, Jesus has been constructing and fortifying His Church since His ascension.

What has He called you to build? To construct from scratch or restore to its original glory? To fortify when the storms come or rebuild when they blow through?

We serve a God Who specializes in building, particularly His people to be sanctified in this hostile world. We are fortified each time we consume His Word into our souls and allow it to set us apart with courage. And as we do this individually and corporately, we join Him in rebuilding the ancient ruins, the places long devastated in our culture. We construct new paradigms and programs, just laws and less-biased juries. We learn to love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves and bring His kingdom come into our spheres of influence. May we build today with confidence.

Binnui is not listed alone in our verse, but rather as one of the sons of Henadad. This name comes from chen (favor, grace, charm, gracious, pleasant, precious, well-favored) and Hadad (from hedad – shout, cheer, “shouting will not be shouts”).

“Pleasant cheering, charming shouts – which are not shouts.” Interesting meaning, no? I had a quick chat with a student today about her saying I was yelling at her. Turns out confrontation is important for her respect level, so I was being intense, but fortunately not shouting. We talked about a “teacher voice,” and thank the good goodness, she got it. She also complied.

I love that charming and gracious do not mean pushover. I’m also thankful being well-favored has much to do with dignity – what we give others and what we insist from others. And ultimately I’m glad that our God was not too precious to come among us, not shouting, but with all the roar of heaven behind Him.

It’s what makes Him our favorite.

“[The document was sealed with…the following priests:]

Maaziah, Bilgai and Shemaiah.

These were the priests.”

Nehemiah 10:8

Last time we saw how three priests’ names can remind us Yah is our Abba, and blessing and protection come from His right hand. Today we get to explore the final three priests.

First up is Maazyah whose name most likely comes from Yah and uz – to take or seek refuge, gather self, flee for safety, retire – in the sense of protection. How often is this you? Do you ever retire in order to protect yourself? Or head to the bathroom to gather your emotions before resuming time with others?

Yeah, me too. Don’t you then love that this name implies Yahweh being the One to gather us, offer refuge, be our safety net? He never makes me feel I have to do it on my own or “suck it up” when I bring my fears to Him. And His protection is always extended to His children – even when walking through fire.

The second priest today is Bilgai whose name comes from balag – to gleam, smile, cheerful, comfort, recover strength, desist from grief.

Have you ever known a season of deep grief? One in which it seems His protection is taken away and your worst fears have come true? When loss collides into loss and your mind intuitively looks for something to cling to?

These names seem to bleed into one another. We’re invited to let Him gather us and offer refuge in order to be comforted. Even when God was blasting the Israelites through the prophet Isaiah, it reaches the glorious chapter 40 beginning with,

“Comfort, comfort my people,”
    says your God.
“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem…”

As we receive His comfort, joy comes in the morning. He recovers our strength and our smile returns, this time with a lesson in the kind of joy which does not depend on circumstance. The joy of knowing Who God is in the midst of pain and grief.

Our final name in today’s verse is Shemayah which means “Yah hears” or “Yah has heard.” It is from Yah and shama – to listen with intent to obey, to pay heed, hear with attention; to cause to, to hear with an intent to cause action.

“Because He bends down to listen I will pray as long as I have breath!” Psalm 116:2

“I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.”

Psalm 40:1-3

Yes, our God hears our cries and intends to act. His unfailing love really won’t fail in our seasons of grief or pain. He only allows the evil of this world or the consequences of sin to do their job of refinement or growth in His children. Then He moves on our behalf that we may desist from grief.

Praise the One Who paid our debt and raised our lives up from the dead!

“[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.

“[The document was sealed with…the following priests:]

…Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch…”

Nehemiah 10:6

Last time we stepped into the meanings of 3 priests who signed the covenant to obey Yahweh, remembering our bondage to Him is liberty. Today we check out the next three signers.

We begin with a famous name, Daniel, which means “God is my judge.” This one has personal significance to me as it is my hub’s name and son’s middle name. I love the implications of this definition: we all know we will one day stand before judgment. And this name implies, “Yes, I deserve judgment from people, but the Ultimate Judge has the final say.” The root word of the name is din, which means “to judge, administer, defend, execute judgment, govern, plead, strive, vindicate, sail direct, a straight course.”

Been reading about Solomon and his wisdom from God to govern the people. What a needed trait for those over others, anyone seeking to execute judgment, administer to people, and sail a direct course.

The good news is anyone can receive God’s wisdom.

Step 1: Fear Him

Step 2: Ask

Pretty great deal, huh? But the best deal of all is letting the One Who defends, vindicates, and governs in perfection take control. To ask for wisdom, govern our sphere of influence as He guides, then bow down to let Him do His thing. He’s faithful to do it. Did you read that? He is faithful to do it. Even when it seems like He’s far off. Especially when the problem is generations-long and there feels like little you can control. And most certainly when injustice is at hand and the Righteous King is about to take the side of the widow, orphan, the poor or mistreated, the socially powerless or the broken-hearted.

The next priest to sign is Ginnethon whose name comes from ganan – to cover, surround, defend, protect. I love this minister to God’s people is named by a word which so describes His character. He will cover us with His feathers and under His wings we will find refuge; His faithfulness will be our shield. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people both now and forevermore. His Name is a strong tower and He will protect us from every evil attack, bringing us safely home to His heavenly kingdom.

We need this. As individuals, walking in these fiery times, yes. But also as a Body, corporately seeking to worship and obey, seek justice in His Name, and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Thank goodness He is the embodiment of “ganan,” our Defender Who surrounds.

The final priest listed for today is Baruch which means “blessed.” Its root is barak – to kneel [and by implication] to bless, abundantly bless, bless those who bless, pronounce blessing, salute, thank, bless God and man…also to curse God or the king as treason.

I’ve been thinking about that first part of the definition “to kneel.” And how the latter part is informed by this. While it is unlikely we regularly show blessing and gratitude by physically kneeling to others, the yielding in our hearts shows an emotional or spiritual form of thankfulness.

We kneel to one another when we defer rather than insist on our own way. We pronounce blessing on each other every time we seek to serve rather than be served. And we salute our Commanding Officer when we fight for justice – on our knees and in our loving actions.

You know one other way we tend to kneel? Before small children. Each time we tend to wounds, seek to understand, show them we are not too mighty to come to their level, we abundantly bless them. Which is just like our Savior.

The final portion of our definition has puzzled me: “to kneel [and by implication]…curse God or the king as treason.” I suppose this would mean bowing in respect but not meaning it. Before God, but then refusing to surrender your own will and follow. Before a king, but with the intention of betraying him for a competing kingdom.

May we not bow in hollowness, giving the kingdom of self or this world our hearts. Let’s bow only to bless.

“[The document was sealed with…the following priests:]

Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah…”

Nehemiah 10:5

Last time we more deeply examined the names of three signing priests, remembering how Yah prospers spiritually and we all need counsel. Today we step into the meanings of the next three priests.

First up is Harim (Charim) whose name means “consecrated.” It comes from charam – cursed, ban, devote, exterminate, utterly destroy, forfeit, have a flat nose, snub-nosed, utterly slay, seclude by a ban, to devote to religious uses (especially destruction).

At first blush, the name seems only positive: consecrated, set apart. But its root word? To exterminate and utterly destroy? To seclude by a ban and curse? Well, that’s no good. And have we not seen this very thing done to Jews throughout the centuries? Do we not still see this hand played by those who seek power over others?

Any time a person or group of people is targeted for extermination or subject to a ban, we have a humanitarian problem on our hands. May we be diligent to uphold human dignity and worth on our watch.

In addition to its meaning, we have seen this family name in our study of Ezra and Nehemiah. It is listed in Ezra 2:32 & 39 as men of Bethlehem and descendants of Jeshua returning to Jerusalem with Ezra, as those guilty of intermarriage in Ezra 10:21 & 31, and in Nehemiah 3:11 as Malkijah’s father in rebuilding the wall.

Any time I see that name Jeshua, I am grateful for its meaning: He will save. While Harim is not a descendant of the high priest, his family name bears the same spectacular significance.

And any time we talk about being set apart for Him in this harsh world, it is a relief to be reminded where the power and salvation come from. Even as we battle principalities and uphold dignity, He is the One Who saves.

Next priest listed is Meremoth, whose name comes from mirmah – deceit, treachery, deception, dishonest, false, craft, feigned, guile, fraud; also plural from rum – to be high, exalted, rise, become proud, lofty.

Well, these do not seem to be particularly flattering name meanings. In fact, they all point to the father of lies. When deception is at hand, the enemy’s hand is all over it. When seeking to rise above others, be exalted and proud, we are not imitating the One Who bowed low in birth and service because He so loved the world.

May we discern the fingerprints of darkness in our day and refuse to cooperate. May our resistance be our service, our prayers what tear down every high thing which seeks to exalt itself above God.

Our final priest in today’s verse is Obadiah whose name means “servant of Yah,” from Yah and abad – to work, bondage, enslaved, labor, till, working, worship, bond service, compel.

Slavery is a demonic evil used all around the world, stripping image bearers of dignity. And the exact opposite is true as bondslaves to Yahweh. His powerful Spirit honors our dignity as we serve in His Kingdom.

May we bow low, exalt Him, and encourage one another as servants of Yah.

“[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.

“[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.

“The document was ratified and sealed with the following names:

The governor:

Nehemiah son of Hacaliah, and also Zedekiah.

The following priests:

Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah…”

Nehemiah 10:1-2 NLT

Last time we saw how the returned exiles were going to make a binding agreement, sealed by all the leaders, on how to move forward in obeying God as a community. Today we see who some of these leaders were.

The first is our governor, Nehemiah. You may have forgotten like me that his name means, “Yah comforts.” I’m so glad. A comforting presence was likely yearned for in our returned exiles’ day. I know it is needed in our own.

What a politically divided, ideologically heated time in which we live. When we forget God is on His throne and the work to which He calls us is more like following the wake of a wave as He leads than plowing forward in our own effort, we will despair. But we can simply come back in line with Him and allow Yah to comfort. I’m grateful to be reminded this is what our governor’s name promises about our Creator’s character.

It is also comforting to be reminded of Nehemiah’s father’s name: Hacaliah which means “wait for Yah.” It makes me think of all the years his son spent being a cupbearer in the court of a Persian king, letting someone who neither knew nor honored the Most High God give him orders. And then when he got word of the city of God in ruins, he went into action.

But up until then? He waited for Yah.

I want to be found faithfully serving at my post, praying and looking for Yah’s activity, letting Him comfort me, and acting when the time is right. Because the name of our next leader is instructive as well:

“…and also Zedekiah…” This man’s name means “Yah is righteousness.” And right living, particularly in the midst of evil, is the calling of God’s people. Scholars think this Zedekiah may be the same man listed in Nehemiah 13:13 as Zadok, Nehemiah’s scribe. And he was likely the one drawing up the document which all the leaders signed and sealed.

Interesting, isn’t it? Called one name in reference to a writer role. Called another as the second one signing what was written. All of it pointing to Yahweh’s righteousness.

How about we let whatever roles in which we find ourselves point to His righteousness – both inside of us because of His Spirit, and in His activity in the world because He has not abandoned it? God so loved this world. He woos and convicts, draws and challenges. And our next family name to sign the covenant shows us why:

“And the following priests: Seraiah (which means “Yah persists”)…”

Something interesting from a commentary was how this is likely a family name rather than one individual person named Seraiah. And the name is of high priest lineage: “Eliashib, the high priest of the time, probably appended the seal of the house of Seraiah.” (source)

Ah yes. Not only a priest, but the first name to sign belonged to the high priest. The only one allowed in the Holy of Holies of Temple, offering incense and sprinkling blood on the mercy seat on behalf of the nation’s sins. And the name means “Yah persists.”

Doesn’t that make sense to your heart? That is the kind of God Who would accept less-than-perfect animal sacrifices for ways His people broke covenant until the Perfect Sacrifice came.

And aren’t you glad He is so persistent? That He has been called the Hound of Heaven, never giving up on us, refusing to let us go? He persisted with His people while in captivity. He persisted as they returned and rebuilt a wall and communal identity. And He showed the ultimate persistence with those of us made in His image by becoming One of us.

Where do you need to persist? Where does He seem to be insisting you never give up, never back down, refuse to give in? Stay the course, friend. Yah persists.

Next up: Azariah, whose name means “Yah has helped.” This Azariah is likely the son of Maaseiah who helped rebuild the wall. We know priests threw in on the repair work, so some certainly signed the covenant. And how lovely one of their names reminds us all of how Yah helps. He is not aloof, distant, and uninterested. He is Azar – Helper.

And our final priest in today’s verses is Jeremiah, not to be confused with the prophet who warned Jerusalem of captivity some 150 years earlier. This priest’s name means “Yah loosens” from Yah and remiyyah – laxness, slackness, idle, lazy, negligent, slack.

This one confuses me, putting our involved, loving Yahweh alongside a word which means lazy and negligent. And yet it is translated as loosens. Makes me think of loosening the slack on a dog leash or your grip on something which is too tight. Perhaps it could relate to our community here as Yahweh loosening on some of the consequences of sin as they seek to honor Him with this new covenant.

Another possible meaning listed for Jeremiah’s name is “Yah will rise” from Yah and rum – to be high, exalted, rise, lift, presumptuous.

This one makes immediate sense, yes? As our community of returned exiles draws together to honor God’s laws, His fame will rise. And as we join together as those who love Him and honor Him in our thoughts and actions and resistance and service, His fame will rise in our day as well.

Let it rise.

“In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.”

Nehemiah 9:38

Last time we saw the Levites confess to Yahweh their great distress at Persian kings ruling their land, cattle, and their own bodies. Today we see the community’s next move: to make a binding agreement.

“In view of all this (zoth– [pronoun, feminine singular] hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same; Irregular feminine of zeh– sheep, lamb)…”

In light of all this (everything, feminine for lamb)…

Based on all this history we’ve recounted, this rebellion of us and faithfulness of You, the Israelites will be taking a certain course of action. It is important to look back and recall the ways He has been faithful – especially when we weren’t. To remind ourselves of our “all this.”

It is interesting to me the term for this in our verse can also mean a feminine lamb. And it is also used in the verse “This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh” in Genesis 2:23, referring to Adam’s reaction to God creating Eve. And it is in the singular feminine form even here.

Before we quickly jump to how the past rebellion of Israel is somehow related to a particular gender, let’s remember who all had not followed God’s standards: everyone. All we like sheep have gone astray. This is more like how we call tropical storms by female names, or refer to inanimate objects as “she’s a beaut.” In this instance, the recounted past is coming together in a collective pronoun she.

We will see coming up in the book of Nehemiah how not marrying women who worship pagan gods is part of this covenant all leaders would sign, pointing to the enormous influence women have over their households. But to somehow jump to gender bashing is to ignore the blatant disrespect toward God’s Law by all – leadership on down.

“…We cut (karath– cut, make in writing) a sure covenant/binding agreement (amanah– faith, support, firm regulation, certain portion, sure; feminine of ‘amen– very truly, Amen, so be it, truth; something fixed. An allowance.)…”

[Because of this] we are cutting a covenant, something fixed and true.

This is, again, a good idea. To recount their mistakes and make a covenant to not repeat them. And not simply in words:

“…Puting it in writing (kathab– to write, decree, inscribe, record, prescribe, sign, write down)…”

Writing it down, making an inscribed decree. Sounds pretty permanent to me. After all, God had put down His covenant toward them in writing with His own hand; now the Israelites were following suit.

“…And our leaders (sar– chief, leaders, officials, officers), our Levites (Levi) and our priests (kohen) are affixing their seals to it (chatham– seal up, obstruct, shut, stop, make an end)…”

And all our leading officials, temple workers, and priests are sealing it, making it official and shutting it.

Well, that pretty much covers everyone in leadership: political, spiritual, civic. And, remember, that seal they all use is what makes it official, the permanent signature of each leader. They were coming together in agreement on this and sealing the matter for their community. “Never again do we want to rebel against God and His ways. And we especially do not want to fall back into slavery.”

These unifying steps matter. Agreeing to obey God’s Law and honor fellow humans is crucial. As we will find out, God’s people could not follow through on this perfectly. If they had, we would not have needed Jesus to do it on our behalf.

But to take obedient steps forward is the next right thing for our returned exiles. Make we take ours today.

It’s been two weeks!

Little getaway

Fireworks shopping

Cousin time

Oatmeal Cookie Bake-Off Competition

Blueberry Muffins revealed to us by a friend

Tubing on generous friends’ boat

Botanica’s Chinese Garden with a friend

Opportunity to love women with school supplies

Our newest addition, Winston

He is positively adored around here

Yep

Yes, he loves him, too

Summer sunset glory

Your 2 weeks?