The end of a prayer

O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer. Nehemiah 1:11

The end of Nehemiah’s first prayer in the book ends. He begs and pleads to God to listen to his prayer as well as the prayer of others praying for the same thing. The ones who delight (desire) to revere (fear) your name; God we are trying to follow you and obey you. Please grant me mercy in the sight of King Artaxerxes (this man).

Nehemiah knows he needs to go before his boss, King Artaxerxes, and he asks God for mercy. We now find out the job of Nehemiah. He is the king’s cupbearer.

The job of the cupbearer was a very important and dangerous occupation. The Hebrew meaning from Strong’s (H8248) is causing to drink, a butler. Cupbearers had to taste the food and drink before the king to make sure it had not been poisoned. Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge says: The office of cup-bearer was one of great trust, honour, and emolument, in the Persian court. To be in such a place of trust he must have been in the king's confidence; for no eastern potentate would have a cup-bearer to whom he could not trust his life, poison being often administered in that way…

The end of chapter one, stay tuned for chapter two.

Have a blessed day,
Donna