In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah and the people of Judah completed the barrier wall surrounding Jerusalem, and he said, “And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God. Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them”, and in chapter six and verse eighteen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “there were many in Judah sworn unto him”, where we read,
For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.
The verse reads, “For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah;” Nehemiah began with the words, “for there were many in Judah” or “because, since and on account that there existed an abundant and numerous amount of people within Judah whose name means praised and was the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon” “sworn unto him” which means “confederate and in allegiance to him, Tobiah”, “because he was the son in law” or “since and on account that he, Tobiah, existed as the daughter's husband or bridegroom” “of Shechaniah”which means “belonging to Shechaniah whose name means dweller with Jehovah ” “the son of Arah” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Arah whose name means traveller and was the prominent head of a family of returning exiles”. Nehemiah shared how a great number of people in “Judah” were in alliance with “Tobiah” on account that he existed as the husband to “Shechaniah's” daughter who was a prominent head of one of the families of returning exiles.
The verse continues, “and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.” Nehemiah added the words, “and his son Johanan” or “and his, Tobiah's, male offspring and progeny named Johanan whose name means Jehovah has graced” “had taken the daughter” which means “fetched, took in hand and procured the female offspring and progeny” “of Meshullam” or “belonging to Meshullam whose name means friend” “the son of Berechiah” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Berechiah whose name means Jehovah blesses”. Nehemiah also referred to how “Tobiah's offspring” whose name was “Johanan” married the female offspring belonging to “Meshullam” who was “Berechiah's” male offspring.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how a large number of the people of “Judah”were confederate with “Tobiah” who was his hating foe and because he was married to people of prominence and influence, they aligned with him. God gives people their authority, prominence and positions, and we should never be in allegiance with them just because they have temporary influence. God want us to have an eternal personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ who came into the world to die on the cross, be resurrected from the dead and given His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth so we will never align with people just because they have powerful and influential families and prominence.
Next time Nehemiah says, “they reported his good deeds before me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment