Daily Readings in the Bible Nehemiah 10-11
Once the people heard Ezra and the Levites expound the Word of God, they repented of their sins, and prepared themselves to enter into covenant with God (Neh. 9:38). This was a serious matter. The people had just heard the history of their ancestors how they were constantly rebellious and disobedient (Neh. 9:26-28). Would they […]
Daily Readings in the Bible Nehemiah 8-9
Zerubbabel successfully rebuilt the Temple. Ezra reestablished worship. Nehemiah accomplished the extensive task of reconstructing Jerusalem’s walls. The next undertaking for Ezra and Nehemiah was to rebuild the people. The Temple, the worship, and the walls were meaningless if Jerusalem’s inhabitants remained broken. The Judeans were taken into Babylonian captivity due to their perpetual backsliding. […]
Daily Readings in the Bible Nehemiah 7
The rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls only took fifty-two days to complete (Neh. 6:15). Nehemiah could have sat back and relaxed after accomplishing such an amazing task. However, that’s not what happened. “And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they […]
Daily Readings in the Bible Nehemiah 4-6
Nehemiah’s task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was intimidating. Some estimate the city’s circumference at that time was between one and half to two and miles. Not only were the walls in ruins, but the myriad of city gates were desolate too. Thankfully, Nehemiah didn’t have to work alone. The people of Jerusalem, leaders […]
Daily Readings in the Bible Nehemiah 1-3
Thirteen years had passed since Ezra’s return to Jerusalem. Though Zerubbabel had rebuilt the Temple and there had been some reform under Ezra’s spiritual leadership, the city remained destitute. A remnant of Jews remained in Persia (formerly Babylon). Of those that remained was Nehemiah, a cupbearer for king Artaxerxes. One of Nehemiah’s brothers returned to […]
Daily Readings in the Bible Ezra 7-10
Eighty years after Zerubbabel had led the first remnant of Jews to Jerusalem, Ezra led an additional 1,500 Jewish men and their families to Jerusalem. Ezra was the son of a priest born in Babylon. Not only was Ezra a priest, but he was also a scribe. A scribe, such as Ezra, studied and taught […]
Daily Readings in the Bible Ezra 4-6
Zerubbabel led the initial Jewish remnant from Babylon to Jerusalem. He was a descendent of David, being that he was the great-grandson of Jehoiakin (Jeconiah). In Ezra, Zerubbabel is also called by his Chaldean name “Sheshbazzar” (Ezra 1:8,11; 5:14-16), and the Persian title for governor “Tirshatha” (Ezra 2:63). His Hebrew name, Zerubbabel, means “descended from […]
Daily Readings in the Bible Ezra 1-3
After seventy years of captivity in Babylon, a remnant of Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem. Covering one hunderd years of history, the book is divided into two parts. The first part of the book chronicles twenty years of a remnant of Jews returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple under the leadership of […]
Daily Readings in the Bible 2 Chronicles 35-36
Our reading through First Kings to Second Chronicles has been a roller coaster of emotions. We’ve read of the beauty of Solomon’s Temple being built. Followed by Solomon’s fall, and the division of the kingdom. There have been godly kings, and evil kings. Battles have been won and lost. Israel was taken captive by the […]
Daily Readings in the Bible 2 Chronicles 32-34
Manasseh became king of Judah at the age of twelve, and reigned for fifty-five years. He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. He built the high places, which Hezekiah his father had broken down. He erected altars for the purpose of worshiping Baalim, and made groves to worship the host […]