I haven’t done this in a while, but I thought I’d give it a go again. As always, following Wichita on the Cheap is a great way to stay connected with events and deals around the Wichita area.

Wichita Ballet is giving free performances in different park locations this summer. Wednesday, June 9th, they will be in Naftzger Park at 7 pm.

Speaking of Naftzger Park, you may want to keep up with them on Facebook. They have many other events, including music from players from the Wichita Symphony.

The Wichita Public Pools are offering free swim days at various locations all summer! This Sunday, June 6th, you can swim free at College Hill pool from 1 – 6.

You do know the Library is doing their free reading program again with prizes, right? You can even track your progress with an app on your phone. Plus, you can borrow STEAM to Go! Kits for some summer learning opportunities.

Also! Watermark Books has another Summer Reading Bingo Challenge to join.

And Wichita Parks & Rec has a downloadable Evolve Guide for Summer, including Library and City Arts events!

Bradley Fair is offering their free Summer Concert Series again this year. Tonight, Thursday, June 3rd, hear from award-winning jazz flutist, Kim Scott.

And Bradley Fair is also holding free, outdoor workout classes featuring local fitness instructors. If you click on the Facebook links, be sure to select the correct date at the top! And some require registration, so read the information section. There’s a Bootcamp, Barre Forte, and a MADabolic workout available.

The Sedgwick County Extension Master Gardener volunteers and the Common Ground Producers & Growers Mobile Market are working together to bring back Plant Row for Hungry again this year! So many merchants have agreed to be drop off locations for your summer produce for those who need it.

Thanks to a friend I saw Botanica’s $3 Thursdays is back!

And Carolyn has rounded up ways to watch movies on the cheap with Wichita Movie deals (including $1 Regal movie tickets!)

Have a fabulous week!

“[From the Levites]…Mattaniah son of Mika, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer…”

Nehemiah 11:17a

Last time we saw two heads of Levites, Shabbethai and Jozabad, who were in charge of work outside the Temple walls. Today we dive into a new Levite leader and his lineage.

The Levite’s name is Mattaniah, meaning “gift of Yah,” from mattan – gift/reward and nathan – give, to commit, entrust, set, wholly, yield. For your name meaning to be “reward entrusted from the Most High” would be a lot in which to live up. Or maybe it just points to the truth that all we have is a gift from the Father of heavenly lights who does not shift like shadows. He has entrusted it to us, every breath, each sunset, the storms and calm, knowing one day we will answer to Him on whether we wholly yielded to commit it back to Him.

Mattaniah’s father is Mika, an abbreviation of Mikayah – “who is like Yah?” from Yah, mi (who?), and ki (doubtless). It essentially asks, “Who is doubtless?” Is there anyone, from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, where we can find One such as Him? If we make our bed in the depths, He is there. Who can do that? If we rise on the wings of the dawn, if we settle on the far side of the sea, even there His hand will guide us, His right hand will hold us fast. Can you name another like this?

Can you picture yourself at the foot of the tallest mountain, determined to climb but in awe of its breadth and height? The enormity of its stature, let alone the One Who brought it up out of the depths? Can anyone else do that?

Could you picture just our galaxy, ours alone, in the infinite abyss of space with its stars and planets in orbit? Do you see our gigantic ball of fire, the sun, as but a mere teeny star in such an expanse? Can anyone else do that?

What of the ocean depths, the limit of which would crush us as humans, but which house creatures we are still uncovering? Animals and plants and life which only exist for His pleasure, untouched by humans. Can anyone else do that?

And our mountains, galaxies, and oceans are not the only things vast. What of our emotional needs, our hurts and fears, our joys into which others can never fully enter? Not completely. Only Him. Who is like Yah? Who else is doubtless? There is none.

Mika’s father’s name comes from the word we can’t seem to get away from: zebed. The name is Zabdi which, as we know, means “gift or giving.” So much talk of gifts, it seems as though we should pay attention, huh?

So…how often do you think of the gifts in your life? Do you easily begin to think of things as that for which you’ve worked hard? Things you’ve earned? How about giving? How does your heart do with the idea of generously giving away?

Whatever your honest answer, I’m sure I’ve been there. As someone who is moving not only a classroom, but schools this year, I’m at the stage of throw it all out! And, at the same time, let’s buy all the new things for a fresh start. But I want to be someone who wastes less, doesn’t jump to buy more, and has open hands with the things in my life.

Zabdi’s father is Asaph, a name we’ve sen in Ezra 2 & 3 and Nehemiah 2 & 7. It might also ring a bell as an intro to a section of Psalms as “a psalm of Asaph.” The name itself means “gatherer” from the verb asaph – gather, remove, collect, all together, assemble, destroy, lose, rear guard, take away, victim, withdraw.

So this Asaph, a great-grandfather of the Levite in our verse, points us to both pulling together and taking away. Interesting, huh? When definitions have such opposite meanings, it always makes me want to figure out why. I suppose because when you bring together one thing, other things must go.

If we say yes to loving our neighbor as ourselves, we cannot at the same time hold onto things which harm them. If we want to honor the dignity of people, we can’t also collect practices which deny the truth as fellow image bearers. And if, quite practically, we want to gather in something new, we have to let go of the old. I cannot have both an old stove and new and expect there to be space to cook. In the same way, I cannot cling to ways of thinking which have proven to elevate one group over another and expect those groups to not cry foul.

That we may see the Body of Christ – universal, world-wide, all together – as our arm, our fellow finger, our hurting knee, our powerful leg. As we assemble under His headship, we can take away that which dishonors Him and His Bride while gathering in all that brings His kingdom into the here and now. May we see fresh wineskins in our day.

Now that we’ve seen our Mattaniah’s family lineage, we can look at his role in this verse. He “began the thanksgiving with prayer.” Or led in (techillah – a beginning, first time, before, previously; from chalal – to pierce, break) the thanksgiving (yadah – to throw, cast, confess, give thanks, praise, throw down) with prayer (tephillah – intercession, supplication, hymn; from palal – intervene, interpose, expected, meditate, make judgment favorable).

His role was to pierce the silence before praise and confession with intercession. What an incredible role! If, before we begin to praise Him for our blessings, we first intercede for others, we quite know what to do with said gifts. And if we refuse to lay our gift at the altar before first reconciling with our brother or sister, our praises will rise as incense.

May we be first in our own hearts and in our gatherings to mediate and ask on behalf of others. It would be a gift to Yah.

“[From the Levites]:

…Shabbethai and Jozabad, two of the heads of the Levites, who had charge of the outside work of the house of God…” 

Nehemiah 11:16

Last time we began looking at a Levite and his family line, remembering our Help rises to meet us. Today we see two heads of the Levites who stayed in our capital city.

Shabbethai is listed first. His name comes from shabath, as in Shabbat, meaning to cease, desist, rest, celebrate, cause to make fail. I’ve been thinking about sabbath this week, as yesterday was our last day of school for the summer. I’m ready for more relaxed schedules, time with friends and family, working on neglected projects, and longer daylight hours.

And the idea that we’re commanded to rest weekly, combined with our Shepherd leading us beside green pastures and quiet waters, makes me grateful for a God Who isn’t impressed with our productivity.

But the word celebrate in this definition also makes me grateful. Someone pointed out on social media recently how the Sabbath was a social justice issue for the people of God. Everyone was given the opportunity to rest – the land, the animals, those with greater means to those without – no one’s work could be exploited. And not just for legalistic reasons of keeping the sabbath, but to celebrate!

We get to find happiness and beauty from Him in the daily grind, but sometimes the command to rest makes such things all the more apparent. When we have time to observe a butterfly or marvel with a toddler over a ladybug, the last thing we need is rushing or deadlines, quarterly projections or brainstorms. We simply get to celebrate the God of creation.

The second Levite is Jozabad whose name means “the LORD has bestowed” from Yah and zabad – bestow upon, endow with, to confer, endure. This reminds me of Zabdiel’s name from our study two weeks ago. His name came from a very similar word, zebed, which means gift or dowry. And it all points to something given to us, rather than earned on merit.

So what has Yah endowed you with? Not for your personal fulfillment, but for the building up of His Body? Any gift from the Spirit is conferred upon you because He has conferred on us a Kingdom, which He told His first followers about over a Passover celebration meal. And this Kingdom looks better and better the more suffering we see in the present one.

So these two men, Shabbethai and Jozabad, are said to have charge of outside work of God’s House. Have charge is the word melakah we have seen before for “labor, project, cattle, craftsmanship, business.” And outside work is the word chitson which means “outer, external, utter, without, outer wall, secular (as opposed to sacred); same as chuts – abroad, field, highway, to sever; from chayits – a party wall; outside street.”

What do we make of this? Is this yard work and building repair as needed, or does it refer to those Levites whose work was beyond the walls of the Temple in everyday life? While I didn’t seek more specifics about their roles, I like to think of both contexts.

Do you know anyone who’d rather be outside than in? Who feels most at home among the earth and sky, animals and trees? Who would rather pluck out their eyes than sit at a desk eight hours a day? If that’s you, I love thinking of all the possibilities in serving God’s kingdom out of doors. Planting and reaping, caring for animals, gardening and landscaping, farming and investigating. Serving creation is sublime.

How about those whose work is beyond the Temple walls? Which is to say, everyone. Even those with the title pastor walk on this very real earth, with everyday wounds and hurts, difficult people and rejections, health diagnoses and arguments. But what of this secular versus sacred bit? I looked up secular just to see its definition, and was most struck with temporal and layman as synonyms. Those whose work has to do with space and time – versus eternity – or whose work is not specifically spiritual.

I tend to be of the belief that when the Spirit resides in you, everything you touch can be sacred. So what about those on the outside? Those who would rather be on the outer wall than the inside Temple? Or, for various reasons, do not feel they deserve to be on the inside?

I think our ministry to those who feel severed from God is of utmost importance. If what we do inside Temple has no bearing on the people we live among every day of the week, we need to beg to see with His eyes. And please note the delightful phrasing of party wall.

Where does that take you in your head? Please don’t tell me the fun is all outside Temple and only dull drudgery is inside. If that’s the case, we don’t know our Father. But what about the version of partying when you’re running from emptiness? Or you are trying to forget and end up using others in your quest? Or you simply want your own way and refuse to be told how to live your life?

Perhaps that’s where severed and party come to meet. It seems like a common theme in this way of life is intensity, excitement, and adrenaline in the beginning, only to realize you have cut yourself off of genuine life – relationship with God and others. Out of sync with how our universe is designed, loneliness nearly always sets in.

And what of those whose labor is among such as these? Whose work, craftsmanship is among the fields ripe for harvest, outside Temple? Unless you know in your bones how God has saved you from yourself, and any opportunity to love others is zabad – a gift of grace – your work will likely be tied to pride. But if rejoicing in your salvation is your heart, there’s no better place to be when seeking to share Hope than among those desperate for it.

May we find such joy in Him our work among the fields is overflow.

“From the Levites:

Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni…”

Nehemiah 11:15

Last time we saw the final descendants from our associate to the priests, Amashai, in order to remind ourselves what we have to offer is God. Today we dive into the Levites who helped populate and serve in Jerusalem.

First up is Shemiah which mean “Yah hears” from Yah and shama – to hear, listen with intent to obey. Because I haven’t been obedient with sugar this week, I’m not excited about this one today. But I want to listen closely and hear what He’s saying to me, even when I mess up. And I’m glad that Yah is the One Who hears in this name. He listens, and in perfect obedience, follows through. That I, that we, might do the same with His help.

Shemiah’s father is Hasshub, which comes from chashab – intelligent, to think, account, calculate, consider, determine, devise, esteem, intend, meant, mindful, planned, plot, regard, scheme, skillful, think, cunning, fabricate, contrive in malicious sense. Yeesh, some strong words in there. While intelligence, consideration, intention, and planning are good, calculating, plotting, scheming, and maliciously cunning should never define children of God.

I’ve thought several times in the past few months what it means to practically live out being shrewd as snakes, innocent as doves. It seems this definition touches upon some of the paradox, this seeming contradiction. I happened upon an old notebook while sorting through school stuff this week. I was struck by the phrasing David used in the Psalms I had listed:

Do not let me be put to shame

For I take refuge in You…

Free me from the trap that is set for me

For you are my refuge…

You are my hiding place…

For Your Name’s Sake, preserve my life;

In Your righteousness, bring me out of trouble…

I cry to You, seek Your help, need Your protection…yet I will take refuge, I will hide, I will seek to be brought out of trouble and freed from a trap. I do, and yet I rely on You to do. Shrewd in the verse above from Matthew implies prudence and wisdom, understanding and intention, to observe and set your mind. The Greek root is from phren, the root of the English word diaphragm. It means midriff, heart, mind…”the parts around the heart…visceral opinion; what a person ‘really has in mind;’ inner outlook…that regulates outward behavior.”

So, perhaps this is our answer to the difference in the more negative definitions of chashab with its positive. What is overflowing in our heart will come out in our lives. If we are storing up goodness, joy, faithfulness, self-control on the inside, prudence, wisdom, intention, and consideration will pour forth. If, however, we are calculating, scheming, and maliciously plotting against others, what gushes from our lives will poison our relationships with God and people.

Hasshub’s father is Azrikam whose name means “My Help has Risen” from ezer (helper) and qum (to arise, stand up, accomplish, brighter, build, confirm, endure, establish, fulfill, grown, prepared, raised, restore, rouse, strengthen, surely take stand, abide.)

Ezer has recently been a more discussed term as we look at Genesis, naming Eve as Adam’s helper. While getting into controversy over women’s roles is not my intention, I can appreciate how we talked to a friend whose wife of decades is working through stroke rehab at a care facility. He’s scared and misses her and mused about it all putting life into perspective.

We all need help, don’t we? We need each other in our lives, healthy community on this often arduous journey. But only One Help will rise, prepare, eternally restore and strengthen us. He is Who accomplishes more than we can ask or imagine as we abide.

Azrikam’s father is Hashabiah which means “Yah has taken account” from Yah and chashab, the same mindful/cunning word from above. But don’t you love that when it’s Yah Who has taken account, there will not be any trace of deceit, maliciousness, or evil scheming involved? But He considers, regards, and is mindful of His children and the affairs of this world in a perfectly holy and just way.

The final descendant listed is Bunni which comes from banah – to surely build, rebuild, construct, fashion, fortify, have or obtain children, restore. Our second word of the day to mean build or restore, one which we’ve rightfully seen in a book about rebuilding a city, the wall, and its people.

Are you grateful we serve a God in the business of rebuilding and restoring? Life tears us down, and sometimes life requires we tear down: lies, strongholds, injustice. But God is ever a builder, fortifying His Church and fashioning disciples who know from where their Help comes.

“[Amashsai son of Azarel]….the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, and his associates, who were men of standing—128. Their chief officer was Zabdiel son of Haggedolim.”

Nehemiah 11:13b – 14

Last time we saw the final descendants of our priest, reminding ourselves of God’s faithfulness when life tears us to pieces. We also looked at an associate, Amashai, and began a journey into his lineage, glad for our burden-bearing Savior.

Today we pick up with Amashai’s grandfather, Ahzai, whose name means “Yah has grasped.” This is the only occurrence of the name which comes from Yah and achaz – to grasp, take hold, take possession, attach, caught, drawn, fastened, gripped, hold, hold fast, seized, take possession, trapped, be affrighted, take portion.

My husband was describing a frustration with me this week by saying, “It just didn’t seem like he was willing to reach out and help.” It matters to us, doesn’t it? That someone would care enough to catch us and hold fast when we’re about to fall or feel trapped. May we take hold of one another in an interconnected, healthy way that grips our relationships with love when life makes us afraid. After all, the One Who connects us will never let go.

Ahzai’s father is Meshillemoth, which comes from our familiar word shalam – to make amends, to be complete or sound, make an end, finish, full, give again, to be safe, be at peace, make restitution, restore. We cannot seem to get away from this definition, can we? Perhaps because we continue to mess up, needing to make amends, requiring asking and extending forgiveness until eternity. Jesus, make shalam our hearts, what flows out of us because of all You’ve made at peace within us.

Our final descendant in this family is Immer which likely means “talkative” from amar – to utter, say, address, answer, command, intend, give order. That someone in our associate’s lineage’s name means talkative makes me smile. How do you picture Jesus, God-in-skin, when you read the Gospels? Is He talkative or more withdrawn? Quiet or compelling – or both? I picture Him as the perfect blend of both, and I’m grateful that when He has something to say, it comes straight from His Father.

I like this next section in our verse, which describes the associates helping our priests as men of standing. In the Hebrew it is something of a redundancy, literally meaning mighty men of valor. That might and valor are both mentioned forces us to pay attention, so let’s start with “mighty.” It comes from gibbor meaning strong, mighty, champion, great, helper, heroes, valiant, excel, giant; from gabar – become, conduct arrogantly, exert, magnify, prevail, act insolently.

Uh oh. Lots of ways to fall off the rails on this one, huh? From being a hero or giant in our own eyes, to conducting ourselves arrogantly or insolently, living out this word requires wisdom. So what does strength, greatness, magnificence and prevailing look like in someone who seeks to honor Christ?

I’d say it is someone willing to admit weakness and repent. Someone who takes their commitments seriously and serves rather than looking for a champion’s medal. Someone who pours out their strength on behalf of others that they may come to know the Source of their excellence. Someone whose life produces fruit that looks like Jesus.

Keeping that in mind, let’s look at [men] of standing or valor. The word here is chayil, which in recent years has become more well known because of the praise in Proverbs 31, eshet chayil, woman of valor. It means something similar to gibbor, namely “strength, wealth, valor, army, able, capable, excellent, substance, worthy;” from chul – to be firm, strong, endure, prosper.

The parts of the definition which most struck me were those from the root word, chul: to endure, stay firm. As in, if this is what godly strength looks like, keep on in that strength. Be firm against what others or the world might tell you strength looks like. Consciously reject anything of less substance, something less worthy, to base your life upon. Stand firm in Christ as a solider in the army of the God Who has all the hosts of heaven to do His bidding. Find your wealth, your legacy, your endurance in Him.

I hope that is how these associates of Yahweh’s Temple sought to live their lives in Jerusalem. Their commitment to stay and serve shows their desire to move that direction. May we all seek to be people of God, mighty in Him, enduring to the end.

After recognizing this lineage, and that there were 128 mighty men of valor, we see the chief officer of them, Zabdiel. His name means “my gift is God” from el and zebed – endowment, dowry, gift.

Don’t you like that these synonyms point to being given something rather than earning it? If you receive a gift, you can’t take credit for it. If you’re endowed with a certain trait, it implies a Creator Who supplied it. If you acquire a dowry you cannot take credit for what the woman, and her family, brought to the marriage.

In short, what we have to offer is from God. What we have to offer is God. My gift is God.

To finish this particular section, we find that Zabdiel is listed as “the son of one of the great men.” In the English translation, that is capitalized as a man’s name, Haggedolim. But the word itself is from gadol – great, bitter, exceedingly, deep, hard, noble, screamed, elder, high thing, insolent, violent; from gadal – to grow up, become great, advanced, arrogant, rich, boast, educated, enlarged, magnify, promoted, exceed, give.

Sometimes that’s all there is, huh? Just a prodding, then a decision, to grow up. To take what we’ve learned, refuse to continue going the way we know is not best, and going the right way. To let go of violence, bitterness, hardness of heart, arrogance. To accept we’re broken and move forward anyway. To choose the only worthy High Thing in our pursuit of all the high things that might deliver. To let the lessons we’ve been educated in life stick and magnify the One Who taught us on many a field trip.

To be a child of the Great One is our royal right. May we live like it.

“[From the priests…Adaiah]…the son of Pashhur, the son of Malkijah, and his associates, who were heads of families—242 men; Amashsai son of Azarel…”

Nehemiah 11:12c -13a

Last time we saw three more of Adaiah’s descendants, grateful Yah remembers, strengthens, and has interposed His precious blood. Today we see the final two descendants, along with an associate.

Our first descendant is Pashhur, a name we have seen in Ezra 10 and Nehemiah 10. Its root word is pashach – to tear into pieces. It’s used in Lamentations 3:11, a chapter I had to reread to understand why the author was feeling so targeted by God. I like how The Message version describes that He led the author into deep darkness, turned him into skin and bones, shackles on his feet and wrists, the butt of all jokes, prayers to heaven blocked, and how

He’s a prowling bear tracking me down,
    a lion in hiding ready to pounce.
He knocked me from the path and ripped me to pieces.
    When he finished, there was nothing left of me.
He took out his bow and arrows
    and used me for target practice.”

(Lam. 3:10-12)

Whoa. And, what? What God is this?

I won’t pretend to know all the answers to the suffering questions, but just this week I quoted to my son a friend who, when she shares the difficulties in her life story, has heard more than once, “How can you still believe in God after all that?”

Her reply? “How could I not? There were times when He was all I had.”

Yes. Whatever the circumstances behind these painful acts, the author comes to know God in such intimacy through it. We like to rush to verses 22-24, but it takes 1-20 to appreciate them. It takes,

“I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness,
    the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed.
I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—
    the feeling of hitting the bottom…”

Before we can rejoice with him that,

“…there’s one other thing I remember,
    and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,
    his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning.
    How great your faithfulness!
I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).
    He’s all I’ve got left.”

Whether He’s allowing us to be sifted as wheat, or the suffering of this world refine us, we can hang onto hope because His compassions will never fail, new every morning.

Our final descendant listed in Adaiah’s lineage is Malkijah, a name we’ve also seen before. It means “My King is Yah” from Yah and melek – king, royal; from malak – to become king/queen, to reign, consult, ascend to throne, induct into royalty.

Again, this assumption that something will reign – in our hearts, our allegiance, our finances, time, and attention. It’s not whether we have a king, something or someone to whom we bow down, but whether it is Yah. And that one stings.

It seems to take a daily, hourly practice of bowing, opening our hands, saying, again, “You’re right, that’s not best for me. I agree. Take it, Lord.” Then messing up again and repeating the process. Hopefully as we go, it becomes quicker, our hearts less satisfied with anything less than My King is Yah.

We now get into some associates who worked with our priest Adaiah, the first one listed as Amashai. The name likely comes from amas – to carry a load, bears our burden, borne, lift, took their load, burdensome.

Glad for the reminder today that

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
    who daily bears our burdens.”

(Psalm 68:19)

There’s some stuff we just can’t bear on our own, and a lot we weren’t meant to carry. While we cannot care about everything, and our job is not to fix the world, we can be grateful that what He calls us to, He will help us bear. And God-In-Person said, “I am gentle and lowly in heart…My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

If you’re like me, it becomes too much to bear when we’re taking it ten steps down the road. While intention, long range vision, and wisdom all consider the long view, obedience is always in the moment. Let’s take one step at a time with our Burden-bearing Savior.

Amashai’s father is Azarel, a name we saw back in Ezra 10. It means “God has Helped” from el and azar – to help, ally, further, restrains, supporting, protect or aid. When looking up all usages of this word in His Word, I was particularly struck by Psalm 118:13.

“I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall,
    when God grabbed and held me.
God’s my strength, he’s also my song,
    and now he’s my salvation.”

Verse 13-14 (MSG)

That God restrains in our journeys through this world, protecting us from evil, forever helping Christ be formed in us is worth a Hallelujah.

Praise the Lord, God has Helped.

“[From the priests…Adaiah]…the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah…”

Nehemiah 11:12b

Last time we dove into the associates who worked on the daily duties of Temple, along with one particular man listed, Adaiah, and his father, Jeroaham, reminding ourselves of God’s compassionate heart. Today we continue on with three more of Adaiah’s descendants.

First up is Pelaliah which means “Yah has interposed.” This is the only occurrence of the name, originating from palal – to intervene, intercede, make judgment favorable, meditate, pray, to entreat, to judge (officially or mentally).

I can appreciate how the assumption in this definition is judgment is inevitable. That we will be judging, even if just mentally, and when judgment is executed, there might be one who intervenes to turn it favorable. In The Divine Conspiracy, Willard points out how the type of judging needed – the saying clearly what a thing is – is quite different from what Jesus told us to avoid in, “Do not judge, lest you be judged.”

His example involved a dentist pointing out a patient’s teeth having cavities, decaying, and the need for intervention or treatment. Quite different from making assumptions about the person with decay, this naming of what a thing is that it might be treated is crucial.

In our walks, we must judge in this way. We collaborate with God in bringing His Kingdom here on earth as we point out what is wrong in order to make right. When we refuse to do this, or do it in such a way that anyone in disagreement is then judged in the condemning way, we likely need to focus on the other part of the definition: meditating on the Word, marinating our mind in Truth, pouring out our anger and bitterness, and praying for anyone involved.

The reason we can do this is our worth is already proven on the cross. He has interposed His precious blood, lives to make intercession for us, and, due to nothing of our own merit, the judgment on High toward us is favorable. We can rest in that.

Pelaliah’s father is Amzi whose name comes from amets. Hold onto your hats, because this definition is long: to be strong, stout, bold, alert, conquered, courageous, of good courage, determined, hardened, made obstinate, made firm, made her strong, increases, mighty, proved strong, raises, summoned, support, confirm, steadfastly minded, establish, fortify, prevail, strengthen self.

Other than hardened and obstinate, which have negative connotations, we can take away much from those synonyms. What would it mean to be bold, fortified, courageous, and mighty in His strength? Saying what needs to be said, but in a tenderness only the Spirit can bring? Being of good courage as we’re summoned to our race, steadfast in purpose, joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer? I think it would mean His Name hallowed, His will done, gratitude for daily bread, and forgiveness dominating our relationships.

Our final descendant today is Zechariah, a name we have seen many times, meaning “Yah has remembered” from Yah and zakar: to call to mind, mindful, confess, remember, recount, account, keep in remembrance.

I’m glad for the reminder of remembering. How does remembering the ways He’s held onto you strengthen your faith? And if you aren’t sure He has yet, could you remind yourself of the times in His Word He promises He will? He is mindful of us, friends. Whatever it is, He sees.

He knows, He brings to mind, He remembers.

“[From the priests]…and their associates, who carried on work for the temple—822 men; Adaiah son of Jeroham…”

Nehemiah 11:12a

Last time we saw Seraiah’s final two listed descendants and his role as supervisor in the House of God Almighty. Today we see the associates who carried on the work of the temple.

The word associates here is ach, which can mean brother, countryman, kinsman. These were the ones taking care of the details of sacrifices and offerings. The word used for carrying on this work is asah – accomplish, to do, an action with a product, specifically a poem, a thing offered.

Don’t you like the imagery of keeping up the new Temple in the now-walled-in City as something offered to God? Mind you, it was work (melakah – labor, project), but with the possibility to be done unto the Almighty as poetry. These 822 men are made sure to be mentioned in this chronicle of names remaining in Jerusalem. The work was needed and important.

How about us? Do we see the inherent dignity in our daily labor? What if it’s done over and over, seemingly never ending? Or unappreciated, unsuccessful, or insignificant?

I’m grateful we serve a God Who sees and uses it all to make us into the kind of people that fit into His Kingdom. Not just willing to do something laborious or unexciting, but offer it to Him to love and serve.

After listing these associates, we have a specific man named as a family head. It’s Adaiah, which means “Yah has ornamented Himself,” from Yah and adah – to pass on, advance, deck self, pass by, take away, to remove.

It of course makes me think of God hiding Moses in the cleft of the rock as He passes by announcing His gracious and merciful character. For if on full display, completely ornamented, Moses would be unable to look on and live. Such is our dazzling Yahweh.

When I balance the ornamented and bedecking synonyms with others, however, it seems “removing and taking away” hold more weight than the former. What does that do to your heart, thinking of the God Who ornaments Himself as one who also removes?

I want to so fully trust His motives, I can in sincerity say, “The LORD gives and the LORD takes away. May the name of the LORD be praised.”

Adaiah’s father is Jeroaham, whose name means “may he be compassionate.” It comes from racham (verb form) meaning to love, have compassion, surely have mercy. As a noun racham means “compassion, deep mercy, tender love, great, pity, womb (as cherishing a fetus).”

Have you ever beheld this compassion? Felt it for another? Watched someone love with a tender mercy?

My sister showed me some photos this weekend as we discussed mass shootings, racial trauma, and a boy my son’s age shot in the street. They are striking, shining a spotlight on the emptiness of political rhetoric and circular arguments to how beating hearts are no longer.

If we allow ourselves to think of the grief of mothers, the wails against injustice, the desperate plea for change, we may get a glimpse of God as Mother, under Whose wings is refuge, where a deep and protective maternal love is found.

God help us, may we be compassionate.

“…Seraiah…son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, the supervisor of the Temple of God.” 

Nehemiah 11:11c

Last time we took a deep dive into two more generations of our our third priest, Seraiah’s, descendants. Today we visit the final two generations and Seraiah’s role among the people remaining in Jerusalem.

We ended with Seraiah’s great-grandfather, Zadok, last time. Today we see Z’s father, Meraioth, whose name comes from marah – bitter, rebellious, contentious, disobedient, provoke. I feel this is a bit of a rough thing to be named after. I know Ruth’s mother-in-law chose the name in her distress, but to have been given the name would be…hard.

But it does make us think about the areas in which we’re bitter and disobedient, provoking others to arguments or rebellious to God and His ways. And when we see the dignity of human lives regularly attacked, we can assume we are moving away from the Way and Kingdom of love and justice.

As if in a study of contrast, Meraioth’s father is Ahitub, which means “my brother is goodness.” The root words are ach (brother) and tub – good things, best things, bounty, fair, glad, prosperity, joy, beauty, welfare; from tob – to be pleasing, good, did well, merry, cheer.

Much more palatable name meaning, yes? I always smile when good things/best things are brought up. In our college years, hubs and I heard a lot about prioritizing the good to say yes to the best from conferences and in sermons. It’s something I still think about and believe, particularly watching Jesus’ life of prioritizing both alone time with His Father and the people in front of Him.

But I think about welfare and bounty, prosperity and beauty a bit differently than I did in those same years. I no longer assume success in the world’s eyes is a given. Not when the Savior I am to follow had more enemies than close friends, and laid down His life for the whole lot of them. Of us.

I’m so much less interested in others thinking our marriage is ideal or we’re a cute couple; I just want to learn to love, become more of who God created me to be for eternity, and help others when times are hard.

As He continues to open my hands, it matters less and less that our kids have the right grades or succeed in sports or are following the perfect path for their ultimate welfare. I just want them to be kind. I want them to love well. I want them to know the tenderness of God when their heart is hurting and the joy in putting others first. I want them to be more broken for suffering than not having a padded bank account. I want them to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.

I’m glad Seriah had a descendant with such a name. After all, when we finally get to the end of his relatives, we find he was a supervisor (nagid – chief officer, prince, noble) in the Temple of God (bayith Elohim – House of God Almighty).

Aren’t you happy about that, too? Seriah’s name, if you remember, means Yah persists. From there we have names meaning My Portion is Yah, To Be Righteous, Make Amends, Bitter, and My Brother is Goodness. It seems as though Yah did persist in Seriah’s family. We know He will persist in the family of God.

May we in the House of God Almighty be known for the goodness and beauty of the Gospel by seeking justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God.

“[From the priests]:

…Seraiah…son of Meshullam, son of Zadok…”

Nehemiah 11:11b

Last time we listed the three priests remaining in Jerusalem. Today we pick up with our third priest’s grandfather into two more generations.

We established Seraih means “Yah persists.” Seraiah’s descendants are listed down to his great-great-great grandfather. His father’s name is Hilkiah, meaning “my portion is Yah,” from Yah and cheleq – portion, territory, farm land, inheritance, legacy, property, reward, flattery, smoothness of tongue.

I love that I began Deuteronomy this morning where Moses relayed from God to all Israel, “You have stayed long enough…I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore to your fathers…” (Deut. 1:6b + 8a)

There was a land to be inherited by the next generation of God’s people after the Exodus from Egypt. Those who had watched what unbelief had done to their elders and who had their marching orders. Camping out in the wilderness was over; taking possession of their portion from Yah was now.

Would they still have to go and follow and obey and fight? Yes. But in the end, it would be Yah. Yah fighting, Yah working, Yah and His ways being their ultimate treasure. Land is good and property is fine, but seeing the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living, knowing He has allowed our boundary lines to fall in pleasant places, and He alone is our portion and cup is better.

His grandfather is Meshullam which comes from shalam – make amends, to be complete or sound, make an end, finish, full, give again, to be safe, be at peace, make restitution, restore.

Do you not love that on Good Friday, our Lord suffered, bled, cried out, and announced the fulfillment of making amends? That He paid the price for our restitution, restoring us to God? And we are now safe, at peace, and completely full in Him?

Tetelestai is how “it is finished” is translated in Greek. But, as Jesus likely spoke Aramaic, I saw an interesting article on this phrase in John 19:30 in Aramaic (משׁלמ) -> {this is not from me…I don’t know how to do that.}

From Chaim and Laura:

“Finally, He said: ‘It is finished.’ This is a very curious word in the Aramaic, it is the word mashelem. It comes from the root word shelem which is the same root word that shalom or peace comes from.” (source)

Crazy, huh? We’re studying a priest’s descendant named Meshullam, and Jesus’ final words were likely “mashelem.” All with this same root word shalom.

We’ve learned together shalom does not just mean peace, but a making of all things right. Restoring things to wholeness, bringing back to Yah’s original plan for His creation. While He will one Day make all things new, in the not-yet we move that direction with Him. Making restitution, doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God. Out of the fullness we have in Him, we give and give again by His strength and in His power.

Meshullam’s father is Zadok, a name we have seen in Nehemiah chapter 3 and 10. Its root words are tsedeq meaning rightness, righteousness, accurate, just, vindication, and tsedoq – to be just, righteous, aquit, declare you right, properly restore, prove right, cleanse.

The empty tomb is all we need to know about being properly restored. If the God of the Universe is mighty, holy, perfect, and majestic, bringing us back to Him required defeat of sin and death. If it’s true the God-Man did just that, it is not a peripheral truth, but the ultimate one.

I know, based simply on yesterday alone, I am not able to stand before such a magnificent God. I need to be properly restored, and I cannot do it on my own. Thank Jesus He did it for me, for us, and “the empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.”

Happy Resurrection, friends. He is risen!