Before we look at his name, let s look at his family background

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1 THE KING S ASSISTANT Neh. 11:24 And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people. We often find some of the heroes of Scripture hidden away in some seemingly obscure portion of Scripture that very few folk pay much attention to. One of these heroes was a man called Pethahiah (pronounced Pethachyah, hy"x.t;p.). Before we look at his name, let s look at his family background HIS PEOPLE First of all, - going in reverse, - he belonged to the tribe of Judah. What a privilege! He belonged to the same tribe as King David belonged to. Judah means praise YaHWeH. This was the fourth child Jacob had with his first wife Leah, the daughter of Laban, and the sister of Rachel. This tribe produced many great men. Among them were Bezaleel, who was the first person in the Bible to be described as being filled with the Holy Spirit (Ex. 31:3), he was the chief architect in charge of the Tabernacle; Caleb, who represented the tribe of Judah and was one of the twelve who spied out the land of Canaan (Num. 13:6); Boaz who married Ruth, who had a child called Obed, who became the father of Jesse, who had a son called David; Daniel was also from the tribe of Judah (Dan. 1:6). Following the death of David s grandson Rehoboam, the kingdom was divided, - ten tribes followed Jeroboam (and became known as Israel), while two tribes (the tribes of Benjamin and Judah) remained and became known throughout the rest of the Old Testament as Judah. The next descendant of Pethahiah mentioned in Neh. 11:26 was Zerah, sunrise/rising. Zerah was one of twins whose mother was Tamar. He has quite a story behind his birth! Tamar was actually Judah s daughter-in-law, - the wife of Judah s eldest son Er. However, Er had been a wicked husband, and he died, leaving his wife childless. His brother, Onan, was then meant to impregnate Tamar, in keeping with the Levirate marriage but he would not do it. She then tricked her father-in-law by dressing as a prostitute and sitting along the roadside (Gen. 38). Her twins were born as a result of that adulterous union.

2 2 Nevertheless, the Lord overruled despite the sin and Zerah s name actually means, sunrise/rising. It is a reminder that the purposes of God can overrule. The psalmist used the word, Ps. 50:1 The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Another of Pethahiah s descendants was a man called Meshezabeel. His name means God delivers and, indeed, God had again proved Himself to be the Deliverer of His people out of Babylon, and making them strong to stand up against the threats of Tobiah, Geshem and Sanballat to establish them in Jerusalem once again. So you see, far from being some insignificant individual, Pethahiah had quite a background. It just reminds us how the Lord uses ordinary people with all kinds of skeletons in the cupboard. HIS POSITION By now, the walls and gates of Jerusalem had been restored. Consequently, the people started to inhabit the city again. Nehemiah s practice was to put people s names on to a list, he does this again. The people of Judah and Benjamin are listed first (11:4ff.). The priests, the Levites and the temple workers were next (vv.10-24). Actually, they could have had special cities outside Jerusalem to live in, but they chose to live with the people. It might have been safer and more comfortable somewhere else, but they chose to live with God s people. In the temple ministry, - in which they were engaged, - the priests officiated at the altar, and the Levites assisted them. Some of them supervised the maintenance of the building (v.16), while others were responsible for prayer and praise (vv.17,22). Almost three hundred of them guarded the temple the building, and also other such things as the tithes and offerings (v.19). It reminds us that God uses many people with different skills and gifts to continue His work even today for this also applies to the local church. Yes, the Pastor is seen to be to the fore in so many activities, but there is also the secretary, the treasurer, the deacons, the stewards on the door and uplifting the offering, the sound technician, the pianist and organist, the maintainers of the building, the children s workers, the ladies committee, etc. Each person is important and each task is significant in the Lord s work. Pethahiah, then, was one of these men engaged in the work of the Lord, - he was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people (Neh. 11:24).

3 HIS PURPOSE Back to his name His name comes from two Hebrew words, - one wellknown, the other not so. It is made up of Pathach and YaH. His name means YaHWeH opens loosed/freed of the Lord. We know virtually nothing about Pethahiah, except what is mentioned in this verse. Basically, what we can make out about him was that he was a royal advisor to the Persian king. That was his purpose, his remit. He was the king s representative. I wonder if you see where I want to go with this Here is a man, virtually unknown in Scripture, and yet we can see in him the qualities that are so wonderfully completed to perfection in our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Here is what I mean The opening information we are given about this Old Testament man was that He shared THE KING S COMPANY Night and day, he was in the king s presence. He knew the king intimately. He could look at the king s face and he knew what the king was thinking. He knew all the habits of the king. He had experienced time and time again the king at work. And, in particular, nothing happened with regards to the children of Israel without Pethahiah knowing about it first. The king always spoke to his servant concerning all matters regarding the people. In the closest and most intimate of relationships, the Triune God always works in co-operation with Himself. The Father never contradicts the Son; the Holy Spirit never works outside the will of the Godhead. Listen to how the Lord Jesus spoke to His Father on one occasion, Jn. 17:1 Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. This statement of our Saviour teaches us how He shared the King s company in the eternal glory of Heaven before the worlds were created. He is (Heb. 1:2) heir of all things 3 being the brightness of [God s] glory, and the express image of [God s] person, and yet, Phil. 2:6 being in the form of God, 3

4 4 thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. When you read Nehemiah 11 carefully, you will find many names but you will only find one name about whom it is said he was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people (Neh. 11:24). Pethahiah had a privilege none other experienced because he alone, - in this very special way, - shared the king s company. Multiply such a thought an inestimable amount of times and then some more again and it still would not compare to the closeness of the relationship of our Saviour and our God. The Lord Jesus shared the King s company. When there was no-one or nothing else, He, - along with the Holy Spirit and the Father, - shared in a unique relationship with each other. It was unbroken and impossible to break. Each of the Persons of our beloved Godhead shared and shares in the relationship only Heaven citizens can know each born-again member of His Family. When we read through the New Testament Scriptures our hearts are warmed when we see our Saviour intimately sharing in the King s company. And notice, Pethahiah had this relationship with the king for a very special reason he was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people He spoke THE PEOPLE S CONCERNS Pethahiah could have made his position comfortable and easy. He could have enjoyed the privileges and centred all his thoughts upon how best to continue enjoying the king s company but notice what he did notice his purpose He was at the king's hand for the sole purpose of bringing His people s concerns before the throne. The writer to the Hebrews teaches us, 8:1 We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. Each child of God enjoys the privilege of the representation of the Lord Jesus Christ before His Father in Heaven, - my Saviour is my Representative and my Mediator before my God! When I do not know the words to say, He sees what is in my heart and He translates what He sees and He brings my thoughts and concerns to His Father. Consider the words of Job 10:1-22. The tormented Job could find none to soothe the aching wounds, particularly in his heart. His friends were no use. His wife and surroundings were of no consolation.

5 5 The so-called wisdom of those who sat with him only fuelled the fires of his misery. And yet, in such times of dire distress, the Lord drew graciously close to Him so that he was able to affirm, 19:25 I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. The psalmist confirmed, Ps. 44:21 he knoweth the secrets of the heart 103:14 he knoweth our frame Nahum v.7 he knoweth them that trust in him. Believer, there is nothing about you He does not know. He knows all about your worries. He knows what keeps you awake at night. He knows the anguish you carry in your heart for the salvation of your loved ones, and their welfare and He is the One Who is your Intercessor before the Heavenly throne. He stands at the right hand of His Father speaking on behalf of His people. He does not rest night or day, for He speaks the people s concerns in the presence of the One Who is the King of kings and Lord of lords, His Father with Whom He is co-equal. He shared the king s company, he spoke the people s concerns this man Pethahiah He sympathised with them in THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES He was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people He was not their representative at a distance. He was not prepared to have a mere theoretical knowledge of his people s circumstances. Pethahiah was at the king s right hand but he was also one of his own people. He was fully conversant with the trials of being a Jew. He knew their wants and desires and he brought them to the king. Once again, we have a picture of our Saviour. He did not view us from a distance. He was not satisfied to say He loved His people and yet not prepared to come among them. John wrote, Jn. 1:11 He came unto his own, 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. The writer to the Hebrews wrote, 4:15 we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Therefore v.16 Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. There is no circumstance in life in which our Saviour cannot sympathise with us. He is with me in the green pastures, beside the still waters and along the paths of righteousness

6 6 He walks beside me through the valley that casts the shadow of death over me and He is with me around the table at which all my enemies, - my temptations, my disappointments, my trials, - are trying to rob me of the joy of my salvation. He Himself knows what it is like to be rejected, disappointed, and discouraged. He knows what it is like to work in accordance with the will of God and yet see little fruit for the labours. He does not stand at a distance and tell me where I am going wrong Instead, we have One Who says to His people, Is. 48:17 Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. He sympathises with us in all our circumstances. He does not leave us to go on our own. His Word gives us the confidence, Ps. 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me. CONCLUSION I don t suppose the name of Pethahiah will remain in our minds for too long, - it is not only difficult to say, it is a name we would also struggle to remember and yet, doesn t he quietly and beautifully speak to us of the Saviour? He is hidden near the end of a book, and you could very easily miss out his significance and yet, what an important part he had to play in Israel s development, he was at the king s hand in all matters concerning the people. To many today, the Lord Jesus is sadly hidden. He is lost amidst all the other names and activities clamouring for our attention. He is just One of so many! If you are not saved, don t allow Him to be hidden anymore. Invite Him to take His rightful position on the throne of your life. Remember what his name means YaHWeH opens loosed/freed of the Lord. That is what it means when you know Him as Saviour and Lord, He opens up a new future for you, with a brand new life John 10:10 I am come that [you] might have life, and that [you] might have it more abundantly II Cor. 5:17 if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. He sets you free from your sin Jn. 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed He opens the shackles and you are loosed/freed of the Lord, - Pethahiah, - because of what the Saviour did when He died for you at Calvary.

7 7 And Calvary sealed His eternal promise and purpose for my salvation, and I know at this very moment my relationship is continuing with my Heavenly Father because my Saviour is speaking on my behalf, - He is at the King s hand. He has my business on His mind and on His heart. When words fail me, He knows the proper and the precise way of presenting my needs before the throne. I need not worry He does not understand me for He does He understands me far better than I understand myself! And He not only looks after me, He also has the needs of every one of His children on His mind. He is concerned about His people and He lovingly, tenderly and boldly brings each of us before the throne in Heaven. I know He is at the king's hand in all matters even regarding those issues I can tell no one else about, - He knows all about them. I know He has them all sorted out, for I know too, - beyond any shadow of a doubt, - he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day (II Tim. 1:12). The hymn writer wrote, With numberless blessings each moment He crowns, And filled with His fullness divine, I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God For such a Redeemer as mine! May the Lord encourage us through this man we have been looking at this evening hidden away in the Old Testament as he points us to our Saviour Who is at the king's hand in all matters concerning [His] people.