Priests in the Days of Joiakim - Nehemiah 12:12

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren. Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches, and Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada, and Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua”, and in chapter twelve and verse twelve of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers” where we read,

And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: 

of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;

The verse reads, “And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers:” Nehemiah began with the words, “and in the days of Joiakim” whose name means “and within the time period and season belonging to Joiakim or Jehoiakim whose name means Jehovah raises up” “were priests” or “existed spiritual spokesmen and leaders”, “the chief” which means “the head, top, summit and choice” “of the fathers” or “belonging to the male ancestors and progenitors”. Nehemiah referred to the season of “Joiakim” when there existed choice men who were over the spiritual leaders. 

The verse continues, “of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;” Nehemiah added the words, “of Seraiah” or “belonging to Seraiah whose name means Jehovah is ruler”, “Meraiah” whose name means “rebellion”; “of Jeremiah” or “belonging to Jeremiah whose name means whom Jehovah has appointed”, “Hananiah” whose name means “God has favored”. Nehemiah said “Meriaiah” and “Hananiah” who were the descendants of “Seraiah and Jeremiah” were the heads over the spiritual leaders. 

When we meditate upon words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah there were leaders over the spiritual leaders within Jerusalem and Judah. God established His order even as He does throughout the universe and among men. We become a part of His order when we put our faith and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the grave three days later. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a desire to keep and be a part of His order wherever He desires for us to be. 

Next time Nehemiah says, “of Ezra, Meshullam”, 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".