Standing Upon the Stairs - Nehemiah 9:4

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sack-clothes, and earth upon them. And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshiped the LORD their God”, and in chapter nine and verse four of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about those who, “stood up the stairs” where we read,

Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.

The verse reads, “Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “then stood up upon the stairs” which means “at that time erected and arose on the steps, accents or platform”, “of the Levites” or “the descendants belonging to Levi whose name means joined to and were specially set aside by God for His service”, “Jeshua” whose name means “he is saved”, “and Bani” or “and Bani whose name means built”, “Kadmiel” whose name means “God is the ancient one”, “Shebaniah” or “increased by Jehovah”, “Bunni” whose name means “built”, “Sherebiah” or “Jehovah has scorched”, “Bani” whose name means “built”, “and Chenai” or “my station”. Nehemiah shared how these various “Levites” ascended to the platform and took the following action. 

The verse continues, “... and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.” Nehemiah added the words, “and cried with a loud voice” or “and shouted aloud, called out and summoned with a crying proclamation” “unto the LORD their God” which means “to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God who is the Supreme Deity”. Nehemiah shared how the “Levites” on the platform began to shout aloud to Jehovah God the Supreme Deity. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how the “Levites” ascended to a platform position above the people of Israel who assembled, and they began to shout aloud to Jehovah God the Supreme Deity. These men were being used by Jehovah God to demonstrate humbled and heart-felt passion and conviction over their sinful spiritual condition, and in like manner every person who is brought to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ should assume the same. God sent Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He raised Him from the dead three days later so everyone who puts their faith and trust in Him may be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and given the opportunity to “cry out” to God for His saving grace for all eternity. 

Next time Nehemiah shares about those who said, “stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever”, 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".