Of Melicu, Jonathan - Nehemiah 12:14

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”, and in chapter twelve and verse fourteen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “of Melicu, Jonathan” where we read,

Of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;

The verse reads, “Of Melicu, Jonathan;” Nehemiah began with the words, “Of Melicu” whose name means “belonging to Melicu or Malluch whose name means counselor”, “Jonathan” or Jehonathan whose name means “Jehovah has given”. Nehemiah shared how “Jonathan” who descended from “Melicu” was among the “priests” who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. 

The verse continues, “of Shebaniah, Joseph;” Nehemiah added the words, “of Shebaniah” or “belonging to Shebaniah whose name means increased by Jehovah”, “Joseph” whose name means “Jehovah has added”. Nehemiah added “Joseph” who was a descendant of “Shebaniah” to the list of “priests” who went forth with Zerubbabel to Jerusalem. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah about another two men who were “priests” that returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. “Jonathan and Joseph” who descended from “Melicu and Shebaniah” joined the other spiritual leaders who obeyed Jehovah God's command to go back to their homeland of Judah. God wants us to obey Him as well, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead three days later, He provided the way through belief and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins and granted eternal life with Him in Heaven. God loves us, and when we obey Him, our lives become eternally blessed. 

Next time Nehemiah says, “of Harim, Adna”, 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".