In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spoke unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law”, and in chapter eight and verse four of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how, “Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood” where we read,
And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
The verse reads, “And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; ” Nehemiah began with the words, “and Ezra the scribe” which means “and Ezra whose name means help and was the priest and scribe who led the reforms of the returned exiles in Jerusalem and a co-worker with Nehemiah who was a accurate counter” “stood upon a pulpit of wood” or “erected and stationed himself on a tower or elevated stage made with timber and planks”, “which they had made for the purpose” which means “that they, the people of Israel, built, fashioned, accomplished and produced on account of the speech, utterance and words”. Nehemiah shared how “Ezra” stationed himself upon a wooden platform that was fashioned by the Israel for speaking to a crowd.
The verse continues, “and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand;” Nehemiah added the words, “and beside him” or “and accompanying him, Ezra” “stood Mattithiah”which means “erected and stationed Mattithiah whose name means gift of Jehovah and was a Levite who presided over the offerings”, “and Shema” or “and Shema whose name means hear”, “and Anaiah” whose name means “Jehovah has answered”, “and Urijah” or “Jehovah or Yahweh is my light (flame)”, “and Hilkiah” whose name means “my portion is Jehovah”, “and Maaseiah” or “and work of Jehovah”, “on his right hand” which means “upon his, Ezra's, right physical hand of authority and power”. Nehemiah shared how “ Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah” were stationed at the “right hand of authority” of “Ezra” while he read the word of the “law”.
Finally the verse says, “and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.” Nehemiah concluded this verse with the words, “and on his left hand” or “at the left side of Ezra”, “Pedaiah” whose name means “Jehovah has ransomed”, “and Mishael” or “who is what God is”, “and Malchiah” or “Malchijah” whose name means “my king is Jehovah”, “and Hashum” or “rich”, “and Hashbadana”whose name means “considerate judge”, “Zechariah” or “Jehovah remembers”, “and Meshullam” whose name means “friend”. Nehemiah noted how “Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchiah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah and Meshullam.” were at the left side of Ezra while he spoke to the crowd.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how “Ezra” was stationed upon a wooden platform which was fashioned by the people of Israel for this reason, and he was accompanied by, “ Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah” on his right side, and “Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchiah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah and Meshullam” on his left side while he spoke to them. God loves people, and He wants us to know Him. He gave us His word, the Bible, to reveal Himself to us so we will receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we receive Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a passion and desire to hear and obey His word from now and into eternity.
Next time Nehemiah shares how, “Ezra opened up the book in the sight of all the people”, 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".
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