...And Kadmiel

 

“And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said: ‘Stand up and bless the LORD your God forever and ever! Blessed be Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise! You alone are the LORD;…’” (Nehemiah 9:5-6)

 

It was a time of opportunity;

It was a time of great challenge.

It was his chance to impact history;

He deemed God worth any exchange.

*  *  *

Returning exiles sought to restore

Worship of Yahweh and His temple once more.

But hurdles from hostility to complacency

Would test their resolve, as the years would see.

The Spirit stirred hearts of Levites and priests,

And Kadmiel’s name shows up in those lists

Of leader names in Nehemiah and Ezra.

He urged the people to deeply express the

Repentance and worship due unto their Lord.

He signed his name to the covenant’s words.

He managed temple workers, served with his sons –

Never solo on stage, yet his deeds were well done.

 

Only God knows how the culture was different

Because men like Kadmiel were fervent

To teach and live out what He said was true,

Even when it wasn’t convenient to do.

He didn’t slay giants or cross the Red Sea

But Kadmiel lived faithfully.

He stood before God,* and then for Him as well –

An example to us who in this century dwell.

How will today’s world be defined,

As complacency and hostilities abound?

Let us stand before God, and then for Him boldly,

Knowing the Son and proclaiming His glory. 

*  *  *

This is a time of opportunity;

This a time of great challenge.

This is your chance to impact history;

Dare to deem God worth any exchange.

 

 

 

* The name Kadmiel can be translated “Stand before God.”