Saturday, July 25, 2015

An Unexpected Study


The Bible is God’s words given to us. His words are without any error. When you study using other resources, you are able to glean from the revelation that has been given to others regarding their personal relationship with the Holy Spirit and their Bible Study. Then, the Lord can show you what he wants to reveal to you as an individual. Reading Nehemiah, I learned a lot about effective Christian leadership and how God can use any willing servant regardless of their background. Through further study, the Lord unveiled a whole other layer to my study of Nehemiah. I have previously done a post on the importance of Biblical names, but there were just so many in Nehemiah that I had to share. They are all focused around our Yahweh (literally means “I AM” please see previous Biblical names post) and are not only pertinent to the text but to our application today. So here they are!
 (All definitions taken from The Expositor's Bible Commentary)
 
Chapter 1 (please reference previous “biblical names” post for others)

 
Chapter 2

1. Asaph: “Yahweh has gathered” This was the man that was the head of the forest where Nehemiah was authorized to go and get lumber to rebuild the wall and city. Yahweh had gathered his remnant together to begin this work

Application: We are the body of Christ and must be unified to be effective. I Cor. 12:20 “But now are they many members, yet but one body.” The chapter talks about spiritual gifts and how we are to be one body unified in Christ to accomplish His will. All members of the body are necessary.

 
Rephaiah: “Yahweh has healed” God sent Nehemiah to allow the Spirit to heal the broken-hearted remnant.

Application: James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Allow the Spirit to exude his healing powers to others through you.

 

Hasshub: “Yahweh has considered” He knows you and comprehends what is going on in your life.

Application:  Psalm 31:7 “I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;”

 
Chapter 8

Hadiah: “Yahweh is splendor” splendor: magnificent appearance or grandeur; The Lord is so great and awesome that we can not understand it!

Application:  I Timothy 1:17 “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

 
Pelaiah: “Yahweh has acted wonderfully” Application:  Joshua 3:5 “And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”Are you in awe of the sheer magnificence of your Lord? Are you purified to enjoy the wonders of the Lord He can do in a humble servant?

 
Chapter 10

Abijah: “Yahweh is my Father” Application: Romans 8: 15 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Abba is a very endearing term meaning “daddy” He is our Father and He will never let us down.

 
Maaziah: “Yahweh is a refuge” Application: Psalm 46: 1”God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” He is present, he knows, and he is our safe house

Hoshea: “May Yahweh save!” Exodus 14:13 “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.” His salvation is sure and available to all who ask! It is only through his power that salvation is accomplished!

 

Pelatiah: “Yahweh delivers” Application: 2 Kings 17:39 “But the Lord your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.” Your relationship with the Lord must be right- He will deliver you from temptation- trust in Him and allow him to purify you!

 

Ahiah: “My brother is Yahweh” Application: Exodus 33:11 “And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.” We are a part of the family of God!  Brother and friend are interchangeable when talking about the family of Christ- He is as close as a family member and we can have this level of intimacy if we will just allow Him to do His work in us!

 

Anan: “Yahweh has manifested himself” application: 2 Corinthians 4:11 “For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” When people look at us, they should see and be in awe of Jesus, not us! We must allow God to put death to our old man so that He can make Himself manifest to others through us!

 

Chapter 11

Athaiah: “Yahweh has shown Himself preeminent” Application:  Col. 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” The Lord is to be first in our lives- it says in the Bible that our love for God should be so preeminent that in comparison we hate our family members. He will always be in control and everything is done for His glory.

 

Hazaiah: “Yahweh has seen” Application: Prov. 15:3 “ The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” He saw and judged Israel for her sin and He blesses them for their good. The Lord will chastise His own in order to bring him back to Himself. He blesses the righteous and those who delight in His way will be given the desires of their hearts.

 

Joed: “Yahweh is witness” Romans 8: 16 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” The presence of the Lord via the Holy spirit bears witness of our being a part of the family of God

 

Kolaiah: “Voice of Yahweh” Application: I Sam. 3:10 “And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” Samuel did not know the voice of the Lord at first. Are you acknowledging the Lordship of God in your life? If so you will hear his voice.

 

Pelaliah: “Yahweh has interposed” Interposed: to intervene, intercede Application: I Tim. 2:5 “ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” Jesus Christ has become our literal mercy seat meaning he intercedes for us as His child to remove our sins and make us perfect before God the Father (please see Mercy seat blog post) - Satan is the great accuser while Jesus is the great intercessor

 

Ahzai: “Yahweh has grasped” Application: John 10: 28 “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” The Lord is our sure foundation- no matter our circumstances, trust God- He has a firm hold of you as His child

 

Mica (short of Michael): “Who is like Yahweh?” Application: Exodus 8:10 “And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the Lord our God.” God is the only true God.

 

Abda: “slave of Yahweh” Application: I Cor. 7: 22 “For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.” The Lord frees us from the bondage of sin so that we can be willing servant just as Jesus demonstrated on the earth. In order to be great in God’s kingdom, one must be a willing, humble servant. This is Lordship demonstrated in our lives.

 

Zerah: “Yahweh has shown forth” Again, see the others which are more specific. The Lord will show up in His time and way. Our job is to allow Him to work in us and trust Him to accomplish His perfect will.

 

Chapter 12

Hoshaiah: “Yahweh has saved” Application: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Anyone is welcome- He is waiting for you!

 

What a blessing to end with the reminder that Yahweh has saved. The people of the OT did not have Jesus’ sacrifice yet, but trusted Him to send their Savior as He promised. They learned the proper relationship and position they have with God. They learned how the Lord worked through His unified body of believers with servant-leadership to accomplish His perfect will. When will you submit to the Lord so that He can lead you to your wall to build?

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