Poor Ezra. He came all the way from Babylon only to find that the exiles who had returned before him, had sinned against the Laws of Moses that he so revered. His reaction is dramatic as is the mass repentance of the sinful Jews. Seek the truth…
Ezra 9-10: Compromise with the World is a Life Away from God Read More »
The narrative in the Book of Ezra now changes to the first person as Ezra himself comes into the picture. Ezra, a scribe and teacher, from an impressive priestly lineage is called to help teach and train the Jews in the rebuilt Jerusalem temple. He is a role model we all should strive to imitate. Seek the truth.
Ezra 7-8: Love God? Love, Study and Learn His Word, Know it in Your Heart Read More »
Apparently, some of the residents around Jerusalem weren’t too happy the Jews returned to rebuild the temple. They offered to help, but it’s the kind of help that nobody wants or needs. Seek the truth…
Ezra 4-6: Beware of Satan’s Strategies! Bad Company Corrupts a Good Life Read More »
The books of Ezra and Nehemiah are the stories of the restoration of God’s temple in Jerusalem and the city itself. It’s c. 538 BC, the Babylonians who captured the Jews and brought them to Babylon were gone. The Medes and Persians ruled by King Cyrus are in power. It’s time for God’s promise to the Jews of renewal and reconstruction to be fulfilled. Seek the truth…
Ezra 1-3: God Sends the People to Reclaim, Restore, and Rebuild the Temple Read More »
As we wind down the epic story of Queen Esther, we see again how God humbles the proud and exalts the humble — another ironic reversal of fortune. Seek the truth…
Esther 9-10: God Fulfills Promises Through Everyday Life and Humble People Read More »
Up till now, Esther has done nothing but please the king. Nevertheless, unless she can turn the tides, she and her people — all the Jews — will be annihilated. Yet, we know that God cannot and will not let that happen. Seek the truth…
Esther 7-8: Here we Have Another Epic Reversal of Fortune Crafted by God Read More »
Irony – “A state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result.” In these next 2 chapters, we have an ironic reversal of fortune. Furthermore, you can see God’s handiwork as the events play out. Seek the truth…
Esther 5-6: Watch God’s Hand Work in this Ironic Reversal of Fortune Read More »
or such a time as this. That’s a phrase that is often quoted when a person is in the right place at the right time, with proper authority, ability, skill, or wherewithal to do something positive. It could be to fix what is broken, to correct a wrong, or to bring an important issue to a leader. That’s the situation in which we find Queen Esther in these next 2 chapters. Seek the truth…
Esther 3-4: God’s Providence Calls for Courage For Such a Time as This Read More »
Providence. Esther was a “fish out of water”. This historical account takes place in 438 BC. That’s over 100 years since the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem and took all the Jews away. Since then, some went back to start rebuilding — we’ll get to those stories in Ezra and Nehemiah next — however, many stayed. This is where our story starts. Seek the truth…
Esther 1-2: A Courageous Story of Providence: A Jewish Girl Becomes Queen Read More »
Good News! The tomb is empty! Jesus is Risen! He is Alive! Wow! This last chapter of Mark summarizes that first Easter Sunday rather nicely. Let’s dig into the Gospel Truth…
Mark 16: God Brought the Best Thing Ever from the Worst Thing Ever Read More »
Something very significant happened the moment Jesus died. Unfortunately, many people skim over it not realizing how important this epic occurrence was. Today we unveil the tearing of the veil! Seek the truth!
Mark 15:32-47: Jesus Died and the Temple Curtain Was Torn. Why it Happened Read More »
This being the 3rd year of my doing a study on Jesus’ crucifixion, I wanted to dig deeper than the
Mark 15:1-32: Jesus Took on Our Punishment and Shame to Save the World Read More »
