Of Joiarib, Mattenai - Nehemiah 12:19

 In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah, of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan, of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph, of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai, of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam, of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai, of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan”, and in chapter twelve and verse nineteen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “of Joiarib, Mattenai” where we read,

And of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi;

The verse reads, “And of Joiarib, Mattenai;” Nehemiah began with the words, “and of Joiarib” whose name means “and belonging to Joiarib whose name means Jehovah contends”, “Mattenai” or “gift of Jehovah”. Nehemiah shared how “Mattenai” or “gift of Jehovah” who was a descendant of “Joiarib” was among the priests who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel.

The verse goes on to say, “of Jedaiah, Uzzi;” Nehemiah continued with words, “of Jedaiah” or “belonging to Jedaiah whose name means Jehovah has known”, “Uzzi” whose name means “strong”. Nehemiah shared how “Jedaiahs” son “Uzzi” was among the priests who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah about two more of the spiritual leaders who went back to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. “Mattenai and Uzzi” who were the descendants of “Joiarib and Jedaiah” were accounted for by Nehemiah and God because they followed God's commission to go back to their homeland. God invites us to be a part of His Kingdom by receiving His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from he dead after three days. When we surrender to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide and direct us to where He wants us to be and in our service to Him when we get there. 

Next time Nehemiah says, “of Sallai, Kallai”, 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".