When last we left the Hebrew people, they were enjoying 100 years of independence from any Gentile nation as the Hasmonean Dynasty. Why only 100 years? Where was God all this time? Today, we conclude the story with various people — both men and women — vying for power, and not caring who they crush …
Between Malachi and Matthew: Greedy, Obsessed People, Far from God, Vie for Power Read More »
Several years ago, I dug into my family’s ancestry. I knew one of my mom’s cousins was a well-known Socialist revolutionary in Spain. For some reason, she was proud of him. Yet, on my dad’s side, I discovered my great great grandfather helped to abolish slavery in Puerto Rico! Now, that’s something to brag about! …
1 Chronicles 1-2: The Importance of Lineage From Adam to Jesus Messiah (Part 1) Read More »
They say confession is good for the soul. By the way, that’s NOT in the Bible! It’s actually an old Scottish proverb. Still, it’s true and we see that in the final chapters of the Book of Nehemiah. Jerusalem, the wall, the city and the temple are rebuilt, re-inhabited, re-dedicated and re-committed. Yet, what was made right with God doesn’t stay that way. Seek the truth…
The rubble of the destroyed City of Jerusalem’s wall represented failure, sin, disobedience, and judgment. The repaired wall symbolized hope, a future, life, power, a real city, more people and a threat to the enemies. Enthusiasm led to hard work, which led to tired, dejected people. However, hearing the Word of God changes things. Seek the truth…
Rebuilding. Because we live in a fallen world, things fall apart easily. It could be a career, home, relationship, town, you name it. Nehemiah is blessed as he has the ear of the King of Persia. When God puts a calling on his heart, he risks it all to obey. Would you? Seek the truth…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Spoiler Alert! Usually that means that a key pivotal point in a story will be revealed. If you don’t want to know, don’t listen. Jesus, however, in His Mercy, gives us a clue as to what’s going to happen in the future, the end times, the last days. The word “Apocalypse” comes from the Greek apokalupsis, which means to “uncover” or “reveal”. Hence, God gave us the Book of Revelation. Mark 13 actually ties Revelation with the Old Testament prophecies. Seek the truth…
As we finish Mark chapter 7, we find Jesus healing 2 people, one from a distance and another by touching. Here, He also fulfills a prophecy from Isaiah. Seek the truth…
When the Pharisees confronted Jesus about not obeying the man-made religious laws, Jesus turns their world upside down! Seek the truth…
Daniel 3: There was Another Man in the Fire! Was it JESUS? Seek the truth…
Daniel 1: A Powerful Story of Strength, Integrity and Obedience to God… Seek the truth….
Ezekiel 28: The Judgment of God on Pride, a King, and Lucifer… Seek the truth…
Purim – Live Public Reading of Scripture: The Book of Esther… Seek the truth…
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