In this chapter the rebuilding of the walls and gates commences. “Next to them… goldsmiths, repaired. Next to him… one of the perfumers, repaired, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. Next to him Shallum… ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, he and his daughters. After him the priests, the…
Month: October 2021
Nehemiah 2
This second chapter is fairly dense with a great deal happening. Nehemiah pleads his case before the king, who graciously grants him a leave of absence, letters of safe passage, and some building materials. Yet, despite Persia’s blessing, several of Israel’s enemies (eg Ammonites and Arabs) still oppose any rebuilding efforts (probably because they partially…
Nehemiah 1
This book covers much of the same time period as Ezra, and shares many similarities. Some of the Jewish exiles had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, however, the walls which would have protected them from enemies were not yet rebuilt. Nehemiah, cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, hears of this and begins to…
A Prayer for Repentance and Obedience
Today I offer a prayer for repentance and obedience. We’ve been hearing these themes quite frequently in our readings lately, so let’s do what we can to ensure we’re putting them into practice. Father God, our Merciful and Gracious Lord, we humble ourselves before You today. Jesus says that He came to call the sinners…
Ezra 10
This final chapter is a difficult one. The Judeans see Ezra mourning, and they not only confess their sin of intermarrying with foreigners, they vow to ‘put away’ their foreign wives and children. “Shecaniah… addressed Ezra: ‘We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but…
Ezra 9
In this powerful chapter, Ezra finds out the returned exiles have once more begun intermarrying with their unclean neighbors, which is forbidden by God’s law. God knows that the abominable pagan practices of their neighbors will turn their hearts away from Him. Grief struck, Ezra begins mourning and praying on behalf of his people. “O…
Ezra 8
This chapter describes the assembly of Israelites who accompanied Ezra to Jerusalem. “Then I proclaimed a fast… that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey… For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our…
Ezra 7
This chapter introduces Ezra the priest, a direct descendant from Moses’ brother Aaron. He is commissioned by the current king of Persia, Artaxerxes, to take whatever resources God desires to Judah. He is to ensure that the people of God know and uphold the law, of which he is the chief scribe / keeper. “Blessed…