Est 8
Mordecai is given the king's signet ring and put over the house of Haman. Esther then begs the king for a lettering reversing Haman's letter, declaring the an assault on the Jews. The king tells Esther to write the letter in the king's name and sign it with the king's ring.
So the king brought out the scribes and they took down Mordecai's dictation in every language in the kingdom (which was a lot considering that the kingdom spread from India to Africa). The king's edict gave Jews the permission to rise up against any army that may attack them. Mordecai then left with honor from the king and all the Jews in Susa celebrated this great turn of events.
Est 9
In a turn of events, on the day the Jews were to be executed, and by the king's authority, Jews gathered in the city squares to harm any one who would stand against them. In Susa alone Jews killed 500 men.
After this report came to the king, the king asked Esther what else she would have him do. She asked for a second day of vengeance on Israel's enemies and also for Haman's ten sons to be hanged. I don't know if this was the Lord's vengeance or Esther's greed, but I do know this:
"Rejoice, O nations, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants, And will render vengeance on His adversaries, And will atone for His land and His people" (Deu 32:43).
&
"O LORD, God of vengeance, God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, O Judge of the earth, Render recompense to the proud. How long shall the wicked, O LORD, How long shall the wicked exult? They pour forth words, they speak arrogantly; All who do wickedness vaunt themselves" (Psa 94:1-4).
Overall the Jews killed over 75,000 people. Mordecai wrote to his people that they should rejoice for they had rid themselves of their enemies. Mordecai and Esther established that day a day of celebration and called it Purim, which is still celebrated in Jewish circles today.
Est 10
Mordecai was second to only the king from here on out.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Esther 5 -7
Est 5
So Esther goes before the King in her Royal Robes; the queen finds favor in the King's sight (Praise the Lord!) and is asked for her request. For some reason or another, Esther requests the king's attendance at a banquet she is hosting. When the king is full, Esther then requests for him to come to another banquet the next day. This is a strange set of circumstances, and I urge you that if you do read anything into why Esther was doing this, not to preach on it or to teach others, because as far as I can tell, there is no light on why she did this in the scriptures. We can all definitely agree that Esther took some time in getting it out that she wanted the king to protect her people from Haman.
Now between the first banquet and the second banquet, the writer of Esther tells of a few events that happened the next day:
Haman left the temple for home and noticed Mordecai's defiance of his command for all to bow to him, but he "controlled" himself and kept on his journey. At home, Haman brags to his friends and wife about all the respect he has earned in the King's court, but he confesses that this success does not satisfy him when he compares it against Mordecai's indignation. His wife and friends advise Haman to hang Mordecai, and Haman puts into motion his plan to do so.
Est 6
So the first line of this chapter is hilarious: "During that night the king could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king." Maybe it's just me, but that's funny.
The king is reminded in his hearing that Mordecai saved his life and asks if any dignity had been given Mordecai. Finding none, the king asks Haman, who just walked in, his opinion on honoring someone for serving the king. Haman, being the prideful man that has been described thus far in this book, thinks the king is speaking of him and lays out an elaborate parading of the individual being honored. The king thinks Haman's idea to be good and tells Haman to do it for Mordecai (which you can imagine that Haman is furious).
So Haman is the one to parade Mordecai around the king's court, and when finished, he runs home, crying, to his wife and friends (this is not a man that I will hold up as a good example to my children). Haman then leaves for the banquet, which Esther prepared (the second).
Est 7
After the king drank, he asked Esther what she wanted; she then outed Haman's plot against her family, which enraged the king! Before the words even left the king's mouth, Haman was hanged on the very gallows he planned to hang Mordecai on.
Some good verses to consider:
"The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate" (proverbs 8:13)
"When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom" (proverbs 11:2).
"A man's pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor" (proverbs 29:23).
Haman's pride and arrogance were his destruction.
"LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24; 1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:17)
So Esther goes before the King in her Royal Robes; the queen finds favor in the King's sight (Praise the Lord!) and is asked for her request. For some reason or another, Esther requests the king's attendance at a banquet she is hosting. When the king is full, Esther then requests for him to come to another banquet the next day. This is a strange set of circumstances, and I urge you that if you do read anything into why Esther was doing this, not to preach on it or to teach others, because as far as I can tell, there is no light on why she did this in the scriptures. We can all definitely agree that Esther took some time in getting it out that she wanted the king to protect her people from Haman.
Now between the first banquet and the second banquet, the writer of Esther tells of a few events that happened the next day:
Haman left the temple for home and noticed Mordecai's defiance of his command for all to bow to him, but he "controlled" himself and kept on his journey. At home, Haman brags to his friends and wife about all the respect he has earned in the King's court, but he confesses that this success does not satisfy him when he compares it against Mordecai's indignation. His wife and friends advise Haman to hang Mordecai, and Haman puts into motion his plan to do so.
Est 6
So the first line of this chapter is hilarious: "During that night the king could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king." Maybe it's just me, but that's funny.
The king is reminded in his hearing that Mordecai saved his life and asks if any dignity had been given Mordecai. Finding none, the king asks Haman, who just walked in, his opinion on honoring someone for serving the king. Haman, being the prideful man that has been described thus far in this book, thinks the king is speaking of him and lays out an elaborate parading of the individual being honored. The king thinks Haman's idea to be good and tells Haman to do it for Mordecai (which you can imagine that Haman is furious).
So Haman is the one to parade Mordecai around the king's court, and when finished, he runs home, crying, to his wife and friends (this is not a man that I will hold up as a good example to my children). Haman then leaves for the banquet, which Esther prepared (the second).
Est 7
After the king drank, he asked Esther what she wanted; she then outed Haman's plot against her family, which enraged the king! Before the words even left the king's mouth, Haman was hanged on the very gallows he planned to hang Mordecai on.
Some good verses to consider:
"The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate" (proverbs 8:13)
"When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom" (proverbs 11:2).
"A man's pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor" (proverbs 29:23).
Haman's pride and arrogance were his destruction.
"LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24; 1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:17)
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Esther 3 & 4
Est 3
King Ahasuerus promotes Haman and now requires that the princes of the province and all people should pay homage to Haman, bowing down before him. Mordecai does not do this, saying that he will bow to no other than God, so Haman throws a hissy fit and seeks to destroy all the Jews in the region.
I sometimes want people to bow to me also, but not in such a physical way; but when I do something good for someone else, I want them to thank me and I think I deserve thanks, but that is a lie from the devil. Christ says that once we are done doing the work of the Lord, we should look at ourselves and say "we are unworthy slaves, we have only done what we ought to have done" (Luke 17:10). If you look a few verses ahead of that to verse 5, you'll see that Christ is expounding upon 'increasing [the disciples] faith.' If the we all just got that, we would see that walking by faith is merely doing what the Lord has told us to do. That's huge!
So Haman convinces the king to decree that all Jews are to be destroyed and is able to use the king's funds to do so. He sends out the decree to all the provinces that tells the princes of each to kill and destroy all the Jews. This dude was worse than Hitler.
Est 4
The Jews mourned this decree with loud wailing and fasting, dressed in sackcloth and on ashes. It strikes me that their inner turmoil caused by an outer event is so visibly strong in how they act. If our belief in God were as such, then as James 2:14-26 expounds, our lives would be filled with outer expressions of our inner belief!
Esther gets wind of this edict and mourns as well. She finds out from Mordecai how and why this happened and is urged by Mordecai to go before the King and plead the Jews case. Esther did not like this idea, because it could possibly mean her execution (if you were not summoned by the king and you came before his presence, their was a strong likelyhood that he would have you killed). Then Mordecai writes back some encouraging words and perhaps the most famous words from this book, "And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this" (v14)? Esther, persuaded to go before the king, tells Mordecai that her life is of little consequence compared to his great request.
Praise the Lord for the faith that Mordecai shows and the willingness to submit that Esther presents! These are two great examples of people who loved the Lord.
King Ahasuerus promotes Haman and now requires that the princes of the province and all people should pay homage to Haman, bowing down before him. Mordecai does not do this, saying that he will bow to no other than God, so Haman throws a hissy fit and seeks to destroy all the Jews in the region.
I sometimes want people to bow to me also, but not in such a physical way; but when I do something good for someone else, I want them to thank me and I think I deserve thanks, but that is a lie from the devil. Christ says that once we are done doing the work of the Lord, we should look at ourselves and say "we are unworthy slaves, we have only done what we ought to have done" (Luke 17:10). If you look a few verses ahead of that to verse 5, you'll see that Christ is expounding upon 'increasing [the disciples] faith.' If the we all just got that, we would see that walking by faith is merely doing what the Lord has told us to do. That's huge!
So Haman convinces the king to decree that all Jews are to be destroyed and is able to use the king's funds to do so. He sends out the decree to all the provinces that tells the princes of each to kill and destroy all the Jews. This dude was worse than Hitler.
Est 4
The Jews mourned this decree with loud wailing and fasting, dressed in sackcloth and on ashes. It strikes me that their inner turmoil caused by an outer event is so visibly strong in how they act. If our belief in God were as such, then as James 2:14-26 expounds, our lives would be filled with outer expressions of our inner belief!
Esther gets wind of this edict and mourns as well. She finds out from Mordecai how and why this happened and is urged by Mordecai to go before the King and plead the Jews case. Esther did not like this idea, because it could possibly mean her execution (if you were not summoned by the king and you came before his presence, their was a strong likelyhood that he would have you killed). Then Mordecai writes back some encouraging words and perhaps the most famous words from this book, "And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this" (v14)? Esther, persuaded to go before the king, tells Mordecai that her life is of little consequence compared to his great request.
Praise the Lord for the faith that Mordecai shows and the willingness to submit that Esther presents! These are two great examples of people who loved the Lord.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Esther 1 & 2
Est 1
The story of Esther begins with the story of King Ahasuerus. King Ahasuerus was a man of great wealth, and rightly so judging from the size of his kingdom. Alexander the Great's kingdom was the same size (though Alexander died in his final conquests) and he is supposedly the most famous person next to Jesus the world over. King Ahasuerus through a large festival type of party and on the third day, when he was 'merry with wine' asked for his prized bride to present herself before all of the princes gathered to show her beauty. In one of the earliest acts of feminism (but not the earliest mine you), Queen Vashti his wife would not present herself before the king and princes.
Due to this single act of disobedience, the king's eunuchs convinced the king to sign an edict, removing Queen Vashti from her royal place, saying that if all the women in this province started mimicking Queen Vashti's actions, the princes of the provinces would be put out. The king signed the edict.
Est 2
The first verse of this chapter says that 'the king's anger subsided and he remembered Vashti.' I think this means he longed for her, wanted her back perhaps because the next thing written is about the eunuchs searching for a wife for the King (I think to fill the void that the king felt).
The story of Esther enters into the second paragraph of this chapter. We learn that Mordecai is raising her because of the absence of her mother and father and that she is beautiful.
Esther is summoned with all the women of the province to a harem where they will undergo a year of cosmetics and beautification and then will see the king in the early hours of the day to find out if they will become his concubine or the Queen (v14).
After all of this took place, Esther was chosen as Queen, and with Mordecai's help, one of her first acts as queen was to stop a plot to kill the king. The king chronicled this act by Esther and Mordecai.
Practical advice thus far: Love your wives. They will be disobedient but remember, you also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending your life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:3-7).
The story of Esther begins with the story of King Ahasuerus. King Ahasuerus was a man of great wealth, and rightly so judging from the size of his kingdom. Alexander the Great's kingdom was the same size (though Alexander died in his final conquests) and he is supposedly the most famous person next to Jesus the world over. King Ahasuerus through a large festival type of party and on the third day, when he was 'merry with wine' asked for his prized bride to present herself before all of the princes gathered to show her beauty. In one of the earliest acts of feminism (but not the earliest mine you), Queen Vashti his wife would not present herself before the king and princes.
Due to this single act of disobedience, the king's eunuchs convinced the king to sign an edict, removing Queen Vashti from her royal place, saying that if all the women in this province started mimicking Queen Vashti's actions, the princes of the provinces would be put out. The king signed the edict.
Est 2
The first verse of this chapter says that 'the king's anger subsided and he remembered Vashti.' I think this means he longed for her, wanted her back perhaps because the next thing written is about the eunuchs searching for a wife for the King (I think to fill the void that the king felt).
The story of Esther enters into the second paragraph of this chapter. We learn that Mordecai is raising her because of the absence of her mother and father and that she is beautiful.
Esther is summoned with all the women of the province to a harem where they will undergo a year of cosmetics and beautification and then will see the king in the early hours of the day to find out if they will become his concubine or the Queen (v14).
After all of this took place, Esther was chosen as Queen, and with Mordecai's help, one of her first acts as queen was to stop a plot to kill the king. The king chronicled this act by Esther and Mordecai.
Practical advice thus far: Love your wives. They will be disobedient but remember, you also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending your life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:3-7).
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Nehemiah 13
Neh 13
While reading aloud the book of the Law, Israel came across a passage in Deuteronomy, 23:3. They heard in the reading that no Ammonite was to be among their assembly. This is a good example where someone heard God's word and then 'did' God's word (But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves - James 1:22). So Israel sent away the foriegners among the assembly.
Eliashib the priest made a room for his relative, Tobiah, in the temple. Nehemiah was absent from Jerusalem at this time, and it seems that there was no one to stop Eliashib from doing this. Nehemiah returned and threw Tobiah out.
Also, when Nehemiah returned, he found that the Levites and singers had not been given the tithes required of Israel and left for their fields to make a living. Nehemiah restored them to their places in the temple and then calls on the Lord to remember his deeds and good works. At this point, Israel does not have a savior for sin and must count on their good deeds to get them to heaven. Thank the Lord that Christ died for our sins so that we could be reconciled to God without being required to perform good works (Colossians 1:22 & Ephesians 2:9).
Nehemiah goes on to call out all kinds of sin on the Israelites, like working on the sabbath and marriage to foreign women. Nehemiah could have said the same as the psalmists in Psalm 119:60-61 for himself that he did not delay of forget the law of the Lord.
While reading aloud the book of the Law, Israel came across a passage in Deuteronomy, 23:3. They heard in the reading that no Ammonite was to be among their assembly. This is a good example where someone heard God's word and then 'did' God's word (But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves - James 1:22). So Israel sent away the foriegners among the assembly.
Eliashib the priest made a room for his relative, Tobiah, in the temple. Nehemiah was absent from Jerusalem at this time, and it seems that there was no one to stop Eliashib from doing this. Nehemiah returned and threw Tobiah out.
Also, when Nehemiah returned, he found that the Levites and singers had not been given the tithes required of Israel and left for their fields to make a living. Nehemiah restored them to their places in the temple and then calls on the Lord to remember his deeds and good works. At this point, Israel does not have a savior for sin and must count on their good deeds to get them to heaven. Thank the Lord that Christ died for our sins so that we could be reconciled to God without being required to perform good works (Colossians 1:22 & Ephesians 2:9).
Nehemiah goes on to call out all kinds of sin on the Israelites, like working on the sabbath and marriage to foreign women. Nehemiah could have said the same as the psalmists in Psalm 119:60-61 for himself that he did not delay of forget the law of the Lord.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Nehemiah 11 & 12
Neh 11
In the first few verses, we find out that the leaders of Israel lived in Jerusalem, and then Israel drew lots to get other people in the city. I am struck that it is not something that everyman desires to live in Jerusalem (of course it has not gained it's significance that it has today), but still it seems to be a holy and important city. I think that the Israelites valued their homes and families over a city and this is why, but that is just a thought. The rest of Israel lived throughout Judah in their inheritance (v20).
There were song leaders and singer appointed to the house of God. Song is important, judging from it's prevalence in scripture and Paul's encouragement in Colossians 3:16 to admonish one another with these songs.
Neh 12
This first part of this chapter is a list of priests who returned and, the next, a list of the heads of the Levites.
The Israelites dedicated the newly built wall in a large ceremony with singing. There is a very specific description of this ceremony, of where people stood and who was involved.
Israel gave portions to the singers.
I'm not sure about all this and what it means, but I do understand this verse in James 3:1 that says teachers will incur a stricter judgment; and if I think about Mark 9:42 and the seriousness of what is taught, I am not quick to expound on these verses unless the spirit gives me light. I pray that you would as well consider the serious judgment that awaits those who teach.
In the first few verses, we find out that the leaders of Israel lived in Jerusalem, and then Israel drew lots to get other people in the city. I am struck that it is not something that everyman desires to live in Jerusalem (of course it has not gained it's significance that it has today), but still it seems to be a holy and important city. I think that the Israelites valued their homes and families over a city and this is why, but that is just a thought. The rest of Israel lived throughout Judah in their inheritance (v20).
There were song leaders and singer appointed to the house of God. Song is important, judging from it's prevalence in scripture and Paul's encouragement in Colossians 3:16 to admonish one another with these songs.
Neh 12
This first part of this chapter is a list of priests who returned and, the next, a list of the heads of the Levites.
The Israelites dedicated the newly built wall in a large ceremony with singing. There is a very specific description of this ceremony, of where people stood and who was involved.
Israel gave portions to the singers.
I'm not sure about all this and what it means, but I do understand this verse in James 3:1 that says teachers will incur a stricter judgment; and if I think about Mark 9:42 and the seriousness of what is taught, I am not quick to expound on these verses unless the spirit gives me light. I pray that you would as well consider the serious judgment that awaits those who teach.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Neh 9 & 10
Reminder: this is NOT a commentary. It is a journal in which others can find encouragement. Be a Berean (Acts 17:11)!
Neh 9
Israel assembled, fasting with sackcloth, and they CONFESSED the sins of their fathers! Why must they confess the sins of their fathers? I don't really know, but I am reminded of this passage in Deuteronomy: "You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me" (5:9). Perhaps, in the reading of the law, the Israelites saw this verse and took it to heart.
Eight Levites then began to recount the history of Israel in verse. It is a great summary of what has happened to the people of Israel to this point. God chose Abram; He heard their cry in Egypt; God gave his ordinance at Mount Sinai; He provided for Israel in wilderness; Even after Israel turned to idols, God did not forget them; God multiplied the people in a new land of inheritance; He did not forget them even in Babylon. Now the Israelites have given their covenant to the Lord to keep his statutes.
Neh 10
We have a list of signers of this covenant. The first point made after this list is that These people have taken on a curse or in hebrew, ''alah ' (v29). This word could also mean oath, but if you cross-reference it with the 21st verse in Numbers 5, you can see that there is a distinction made between oath and curse (the word for curse being ''alah ' and the word for oath being 'shĕbuw`ah'). I remember Galations 3:13, that the law is a curse because we cannot keep it. That is why Christ had to die for us!, to save us from the curse! (Remember also Paul's exhortation in Romans 7).
The Israelites also made a covenant to a certain amount of offerings and tithes. They also promised to provide wood for sacrifices in turn.
Neh 9
Israel assembled, fasting with sackcloth, and they CONFESSED the sins of their fathers! Why must they confess the sins of their fathers? I don't really know, but I am reminded of this passage in Deuteronomy: "You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me" (5:9). Perhaps, in the reading of the law, the Israelites saw this verse and took it to heart.
Eight Levites then began to recount the history of Israel in verse. It is a great summary of what has happened to the people of Israel to this point. God chose Abram; He heard their cry in Egypt; God gave his ordinance at Mount Sinai; He provided for Israel in wilderness; Even after Israel turned to idols, God did not forget them; God multiplied the people in a new land of inheritance; He did not forget them even in Babylon. Now the Israelites have given their covenant to the Lord to keep his statutes.
Neh 10
We have a list of signers of this covenant. The first point made after this list is that These people have taken on a curse or in hebrew, ''alah ' (v29). This word could also mean oath, but if you cross-reference it with the 21st verse in Numbers 5, you can see that there is a distinction made between oath and curse (the word for curse being ''alah ' and the word for oath being 'shĕbuw`ah'). I remember Galations 3:13, that the law is a curse because we cannot keep it. That is why Christ had to die for us!, to save us from the curse! (Remember also Paul's exhortation in Romans 7).
The Israelites also made a covenant to a certain amount of offerings and tithes. They also promised to provide wood for sacrifices in turn.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Nehemiah 5,6,7 & 8
Neh 5
Ok... so 3 categories: [1] those who did not have enough to fulfill their needs, [2] those who, also did not have enough to fulfill their needs, but borrowed money to do so, [3] and those who borrowed money to pay the king's tax. In verse 5, I think Nehemiah's talking about other Jewish brothers when he says 'others.' I get that also from the fact that Nehemiah condemns the Jews for usury, or the adding of interest to borrowed money. Nehemiah called it for what it was, Jews selling Jews and every man who heard was condemned and became quiet (v8).
Thank the Lord that they all repented after hearing this from Nehemiah. They gave back to those who were in debt what they had previously owned and promised not to commit this sin again. A lesson for us all for sure, but Christ calls us even higher than this. He says "to give to whoever asks" (Luke 6:30). The early church understood this, giving all they had and making sure no one in the church is in need. How could I celebrate a new TV or car and my brother be in debt? How could I enjoy lavish dinners and new clothes and my brother have trouble providing for his family? To him who is given much, much will be required: I have been given the greatest gift of all, eternity with the God of heaven (Ephesians 2:1-9); how could I not freely give (Matthew 10:8).
Nehemiah understood this, giving over 150 Jews and officials food everyday (v17). In fact he set a bold example by not requiring the government's rations, but Nehemiah trusted in God to provide for him (yes I know it sounds crazy, but sometimes the bible's like that).
Neh 6
Israel's enemies were not excited, as you could imagine, about the completion of the wall at Jerusalem. They accused Israel of rebellion, but Nehemiah denied it and prayed to God that he would strengthen his hands (v9). Nehemiah's enemies even threatened to come kill him, but it did not deter Nehemiah nor the work on the wall. When the wall was completed, all of their enemies confessed that God was at work in the Jews and in Nehemiah.
Neh 7
Nehemiah placed a faithful and God-fearing man in charge of protecting Jerusalem. He then assembled many people to find out their place in the book of genealogy.
Neh 8
All the people gathered at the water gate to hear Ezra read the Law. Men and women and all who could understand were there. Two things stand out to me in this beginning paragraph: (1) they worshiped God face down, kneeling (v6), and (2) Ezra translated the word into plain words so that the people could understand (v8). I believe the true worship of God can only be face down when we realize who he is, a just, good, and faithful God, and who we are, sinners, filthy, and undeserving of the grace of Life. Isaiah knew this when given a vision of the Lord (Isaiah 6:5).
When the law was read, every man was condemned and they were weeping over their sin. Ezra and Nehemiah told them to celebrate with feasting. They then celebrated the festival of booths and read from the book of the law everyday.
Lord, I pray that you would help help me to meditate on your word all of the day.
Ok... so 3 categories: [1] those who did not have enough to fulfill their needs, [2] those who, also did not have enough to fulfill their needs, but borrowed money to do so, [3] and those who borrowed money to pay the king's tax. In verse 5, I think Nehemiah's talking about other Jewish brothers when he says 'others.' I get that also from the fact that Nehemiah condemns the Jews for usury, or the adding of interest to borrowed money. Nehemiah called it for what it was, Jews selling Jews and every man who heard was condemned and became quiet (v8).
Thank the Lord that they all repented after hearing this from Nehemiah. They gave back to those who were in debt what they had previously owned and promised not to commit this sin again. A lesson for us all for sure, but Christ calls us even higher than this. He says "to give to whoever asks" (Luke 6:30). The early church understood this, giving all they had and making sure no one in the church is in need. How could I celebrate a new TV or car and my brother be in debt? How could I enjoy lavish dinners and new clothes and my brother have trouble providing for his family? To him who is given much, much will be required: I have been given the greatest gift of all, eternity with the God of heaven (Ephesians 2:1-9); how could I not freely give (Matthew 10:8).
Nehemiah understood this, giving over 150 Jews and officials food everyday (v17). In fact he set a bold example by not requiring the government's rations, but Nehemiah trusted in God to provide for him (yes I know it sounds crazy, but sometimes the bible's like that).
Neh 6
Israel's enemies were not excited, as you could imagine, about the completion of the wall at Jerusalem. They accused Israel of rebellion, but Nehemiah denied it and prayed to God that he would strengthen his hands (v9). Nehemiah's enemies even threatened to come kill him, but it did not deter Nehemiah nor the work on the wall. When the wall was completed, all of their enemies confessed that God was at work in the Jews and in Nehemiah.
Neh 7
Nehemiah placed a faithful and God-fearing man in charge of protecting Jerusalem. He then assembled many people to find out their place in the book of genealogy.
Neh 8
All the people gathered at the water gate to hear Ezra read the Law. Men and women and all who could understand were there. Two things stand out to me in this beginning paragraph: (1) they worshiped God face down, kneeling (v6), and (2) Ezra translated the word into plain words so that the people could understand (v8). I believe the true worship of God can only be face down when we realize who he is, a just, good, and faithful God, and who we are, sinners, filthy, and undeserving of the grace of Life. Isaiah knew this when given a vision of the Lord (Isaiah 6:5).
When the law was read, every man was condemned and they were weeping over their sin. Ezra and Nehemiah told them to celebrate with feasting. They then celebrated the festival of booths and read from the book of the law everyday.
Lord, I pray that you would help help me to meditate on your word all of the day.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Nehemiah 3 & 4
Neh 3
There is a lot of construction in this chapter, something I deal with every day. Many gates were constructed and before they were constructed, they were consecrated. There was one group that 'zealously' repaired the gate and section they were working on (v20). All this attention to detail in fortifying Jerusalem makes me consider how I have fortified my heart from outside attack. I am admonished by 1 Corinthians 10:12 to "take heed that I do not fall," to protect myself from temptation. The Psalmist in Chapter 119:11 reminds me that one way of doing this is to store up God's word in my heart. Also Ephesians 6:16 says to take up the shield of faith, which I see, from Romans 10:17, comes from hearing the words of Christ. Also this to say that the need for the fortification of a city, in the time of Nehemiah is apparent. The need to fortify my heart is not so readily seen. We should all remember what Solomon says about this: "He who rules his spirit [is better] than he who captures a city" (Proverbs 16:32).
Neh 4
This scene begins with insults from Israel's enemies. They are making fun of Jerusalem's wall! But Nehemiah prays to God and praises the remnant for the amount of work they have done in so little of a time. The enemies of Israel insulted Jerusalem so much that many of the remnant were worried about attack. Nehemiah encouraged them to consider the greatness of God and his awesome power (v14). We should all remember this when our worries arise (Matthew 6:25-34).
The Israelites were so tuff that they worked with one hand and stood guard with the other hand (v17). They never removed their weapon throughout all of the construction they were doing (v23).
I pray that the Lord's peace would rest on all of you, that we would all better understand what the word says in Matthew 6, that worry is never an option, but that God is in control. I pray also that we would all work as hard as the Israelites in the Lord's service. Praise the Lord who created the earth and moon, stars and sky, the Lord who breathed life into Adam and knits us together in our mother's wombs. He has so graciously given us life and breath and everything else though we deserve death for our sin!
There is a lot of construction in this chapter, something I deal with every day. Many gates were constructed and before they were constructed, they were consecrated. There was one group that 'zealously' repaired the gate and section they were working on (v20). All this attention to detail in fortifying Jerusalem makes me consider how I have fortified my heart from outside attack. I am admonished by 1 Corinthians 10:12 to "take heed that I do not fall," to protect myself from temptation. The Psalmist in Chapter 119:11 reminds me that one way of doing this is to store up God's word in my heart. Also Ephesians 6:16 says to take up the shield of faith, which I see, from Romans 10:17, comes from hearing the words of Christ. Also this to say that the need for the fortification of a city, in the time of Nehemiah is apparent. The need to fortify my heart is not so readily seen. We should all remember what Solomon says about this: "He who rules his spirit [is better] than he who captures a city" (Proverbs 16:32).
Neh 4
This scene begins with insults from Israel's enemies. They are making fun of Jerusalem's wall! But Nehemiah prays to God and praises the remnant for the amount of work they have done in so little of a time. The enemies of Israel insulted Jerusalem so much that many of the remnant were worried about attack. Nehemiah encouraged them to consider the greatness of God and his awesome power (v14). We should all remember this when our worries arise (Matthew 6:25-34).
The Israelites were so tuff that they worked with one hand and stood guard with the other hand (v17). They never removed their weapon throughout all of the construction they were doing (v23).
I pray that the Lord's peace would rest on all of you, that we would all better understand what the word says in Matthew 6, that worry is never an option, but that God is in control. I pray also that we would all work as hard as the Israelites in the Lord's service. Praise the Lord who created the earth and moon, stars and sky, the Lord who breathed life into Adam and knits us together in our mother's wombs. He has so graciously given us life and breath and everything else though we deserve death for our sin!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Nehemiah 1 & 2
Neh 1
Enters Nehemiah, somewhere within the same story as Ezra. Nehemiah hears that the remnant that Ezra led out of Babylon has return to Jerusalem. He weeps because of their distress and reproach, and he weeps for the walls and the gate of Jerusalem. Take note that the first thing he does after hearing of this great distress and loss is fast and pray to God, confessing that it is not only those remnant who are responsible for this but even him as well (v7). Also worthy of note is Nehemiah's concession that the Lord "preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep his commandments" (v5).
Neh 2
The Lord uses King Artaxerxes to answer Nehemiah's prayer. The exchange between Nehemiah and the King is interesting in the fact that the King asks Nehemiah a question (at this point it seems that the King will be the deliverer of the story), but Nehemiah prays first before responding. His continuance in prayer is a good example of prayer without ceasing from 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
Nehemiah gets permission from the king and makes his way to Jerusalem. Just before building the wall in Jerusalem, the word says that "they put their hands to good" (v18). I love that! We can put our hands to good and we can put our hands to something else (I imagine the other to be evil), but there is a distinction as to what is good for our hands to be put.
Lord, I pray that my hands may be diligent today and put to good. I know one good thing for me to do is to pray to you, so I pray that you would work it in me to always pray to you. I love you Lord!
Enters Nehemiah, somewhere within the same story as Ezra. Nehemiah hears that the remnant that Ezra led out of Babylon has return to Jerusalem. He weeps because of their distress and reproach, and he weeps for the walls and the gate of Jerusalem. Take note that the first thing he does after hearing of this great distress and loss is fast and pray to God, confessing that it is not only those remnant who are responsible for this but even him as well (v7). Also worthy of note is Nehemiah's concession that the Lord "preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep his commandments" (v5).
Neh 2
The Lord uses King Artaxerxes to answer Nehemiah's prayer. The exchange between Nehemiah and the King is interesting in the fact that the King asks Nehemiah a question (at this point it seems that the King will be the deliverer of the story), but Nehemiah prays first before responding. His continuance in prayer is a good example of prayer without ceasing from 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
Nehemiah gets permission from the king and makes his way to Jerusalem. Just before building the wall in Jerusalem, the word says that "they put their hands to good" (v18). I love that! We can put our hands to good and we can put our hands to something else (I imagine the other to be evil), but there is a distinction as to what is good for our hands to be put.
Lord, I pray that my hands may be diligent today and put to good. I know one good thing for me to do is to pray to you, so I pray that you would work it in me to always pray to you. I love you Lord!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Ezra 8, 9, & 10
Ezra 8
Ezra gathered all those to travel with him to Israel thanks to Artaxerxes' decree. Once gathered, Ezra realizes that there are no Levites to make the trip! Ezra seemed to know people in high places, so he was able to gather together a few Levites after making a request.
Ezra then proclaimed a fast to humble themselves before the Lord and ask for safe travel. Ezra says he did this because he could not ask the King for protection from the enemy on the way due Ezra's boasting in the Lord. The Lord heard Ezra's entreaty and gave them safe passage.
Ezra and those with him made offerings to the Lord. They left for Jerusalem and arrived safely. Those who traveled offered burnt offering in Jerusalem.
Ezra 9
Princes approached Ezra to tell him of the unfaithfulness of the Israelites in marrying themselves to other nations. Ezra was clearly distraught by this notion so much that he tore his clothes and didn't change them until evening. He just sat down, appalled. I'm not really sure what this is about because I have looked back and I can't find any precedent where God says not to marry outside of Israel. Can anyone help?
Ezra continues and humbles himself before the Lord, condemning these marriages. He admits that none can stand before God because of their iniquities in verse 15.
Ezra 10
Ezra gathers the remnant and confesses before them, charging them with the task of 'putting away' these who have joined with those outside of Israel. Ezra goes through this investigation of men concerning their marriages, and then, he lists them.
I get the concept that marriage to an unbeliever is not desirable (2 Corinthians 6:14), and I guess I can see that principle in this story; but I have no old testament reference to the fact that the Israelites were told not to do this.
Lord, I pray for understanding and guidance in the truth.
Ezra gathered all those to travel with him to Israel thanks to Artaxerxes' decree. Once gathered, Ezra realizes that there are no Levites to make the trip! Ezra seemed to know people in high places, so he was able to gather together a few Levites after making a request.
Ezra then proclaimed a fast to humble themselves before the Lord and ask for safe travel. Ezra says he did this because he could not ask the King for protection from the enemy on the way due Ezra's boasting in the Lord. The Lord heard Ezra's entreaty and gave them safe passage.
Ezra and those with him made offerings to the Lord. They left for Jerusalem and arrived safely. Those who traveled offered burnt offering in Jerusalem.
Ezra 9
Princes approached Ezra to tell him of the unfaithfulness of the Israelites in marrying themselves to other nations. Ezra was clearly distraught by this notion so much that he tore his clothes and didn't change them until evening. He just sat down, appalled. I'm not really sure what this is about because I have looked back and I can't find any precedent where God says not to marry outside of Israel. Can anyone help?
Ezra continues and humbles himself before the Lord, condemning these marriages. He admits that none can stand before God because of their iniquities in verse 15.
Ezra 10
Ezra gathers the remnant and confesses before them, charging them with the task of 'putting away' these who have joined with those outside of Israel. Ezra goes through this investigation of men concerning their marriages, and then, he lists them.
I get the concept that marriage to an unbeliever is not desirable (2 Corinthians 6:14), and I guess I can see that principle in this story; but I have no old testament reference to the fact that the Israelites were told not to do this.
Lord, I pray for understanding and guidance in the truth.
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