In spite of repeated attempts to distract Nehemiah from completing construction of the wall and gates, Nehemiah was constantly focused on God. In addition to the wall and gates, homes and buildings within Jerusalem were rebuilt; and the people responded to a reading of the Law of Moses by confessing their sins and renewing their… Read More »
Blog – How Did the King Respond?
Nehemiah wasn’t sure how the king would respond. After all, how would the king benefit from Nehemiah going to Jerusalem to build a wall and repair the gates? But God could prepare the king’s heart; so, Nehemiah offered a silent prayer. And, the king didn’t hesitate. He wanted to know how long Nehemiah would be… Read More »
Blog – Nehemiah’s Meeting With the King
Deeply concerned about the news Nehemiah received about Jerusalem, his concern was reflected in the appearance of his face. God had placed into King Artaxerxes’ heart a fondness for Nehemiah and when he saw the troubled look on Nehemiah’s face, he asked what was wrong. Perhaps, more amazing, the king asked what he could do… Read More »
Blog – Nehemiah Received Sad News
Born in captivity, Nehemiah, through God’s plan, rose to the trusted position of the king’s cup-bearer. More importantly, God had prepared Nehemiah’s heart to receive news from his brother who had recently returned from Jerusalem. The news was not good—the walls were broken down, the gates had been destroyed and the people were disgraced by… Read More »
Blog – Ezra and the Reformation
Dispatched by King Artaxerxes, on official business, Ezra made the trip to Jerusalem with a second group of Jewish exiles. His purpose was to deliver official letters from the king to the provincial governors in the Trans-Euphrates area and restore God’s worship in the temple at Jerusalem. Ezra was appalled by the state of disobedience… Read More »
Blog – Ezra, a Priestly Scribe
For several generations, God used secular leaders like Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, Darius and now Artaxerxes to punish and preserve the Jews. The punishment, they could see. The temple was destroyed, Jerusalem was in ruins and they were forced to live in a foreign country for seventy years. Now, Ezra is responsible to lead the Jews into… Read More »
Blog – Judgement Day Foretold
The words of Malachi were not exactly what the Israelites wanted to hear. His message included a warning to the people and the priests regarding disobedience. The people, however, wanted pests to stop devouring their crops and fruit to stop dropping from the vine before it was ripe. “You can have these things, if you… Read More »
Blog – Meet Malachi
After construction of the temple was completed, the Israelites had a sense that God had abandoned them; and they became lax in their worship and obedience to God. Malachi reminded them that God loved them; but, required a faithfulness in their relationship both for the people and the priests.
Blog – Meet King Artaxerxes
King Artaxerxes ruled the Persian Empire from 465-424 B.C. The strength and influence the Empire achieved under the leadership of Cyrus and Darius was beginning to decline; partially because of rebellions in Babylon and Egypt. But more importantly, both Cyrus and Darius acknowledged that God enabled them to expand the empire. They provided the Jews… Read More »
Blog – Fate of the Jews in the Persian Empire
The Jews in the Persian Empire went from weeping and mourning in fear of a total destruction by the Persian government to happiness and rejoicing at the leadership of Mordecai.
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