February 20, 2023
February 26 | Courage to Restore
Rebuilding walls can take people only so far. At some point a love for the Word of God must be restored for genuine revival to take place. . . .
Articles for tag: Ezra
July 19, 2021
July 25 | Down but Not Defeated
The last king of Judah (Zedekiah) was horribly corrupt, and Nebuchadnezzar came and burned the city and the temple. But offstage a note of hope was being played that would allow God to fulfill his promise to save the world through Jesus.
August 19, 2013
Lesson for August 25, 2013: Sabbath Reforms (Nehemiah 13:4-31)
By Sam E. Stone The conclusion of the book of Nehemiah emphasizes how reform happens. James E. Smith observes, “Once again the reading of Scripture had driven home to the Jews the obligation to be holy unto Yahweh. The prohibition here enjoined (Nehemiah 13:1-3) was not absolute. It was religious, not ethnic. Those who embraced in faith the God of Israel, like Ruth the Moabitess, could find a very different reception in Israel.” Nehemiah 13 describes a time somewhat removed from the first chapters. Nehemiah has now returned to Jerusalem from his homeland (v. 6-9). While some feel he had
August 12, 2013
Lesson for August 18, 2013: Dedication of the Wall (Nehemiah 12:27-43)
By Sam E. Stone The first part of the book of Nehemiah describes the rebuilding of the walls and gates of Jerusalem. This was completed. Today”s text tells about the dedication ceremony of the rebuilt walls that followed. Chapter 12 lists the priests and Levites who had returned to their homeland and now will participate in this joyful occasion. Likely both the Levites and the priests who lived outside Jerusalem were assigned a normal rotation of duties in the temple. On this special occasion, however, additional arrangements were made. Dedication Preparation Nehemiah 12:27-30 For years the Levites had been
July 29, 2013
Lesson for August 4, 2013: Feast of Tabernacles (Nehemiah 7:73b”“8:18; Leviticus 23:33-43)
By Sam E. Stone Nehemiah went to Jerusalem in 444 BC. Ezra had been there 13 years at the time of today”s text. Ezra served as a priest, however, while Nehemiah came as the civil governor to rebuild the wall and restore Jerusalem as a fortified city. The opening chapters of the book that bears his name tell how he came to be sent there, and how he proceeded to rebuild the wall. Despite fierce opposition, Nehemiah led the people through this challenging time. Nehemiah”s list of those who had returned from Babylon became the basis he would use to
July 15, 2013
Lesson for July 21, 2013: Fasting and Praying (Ezra 7:1″“8:23)
By Sam E. Stone The book of Ezra is composed of two sections: chapters 1″“6 record how the Jews returned from captivity to rebuild the temple; chapters 7″“10 describe how Ezra came back to Jerusalem and led reforms. A period of some 57 years passed between the end of Ezra 6 (515 BC) and the beginning of Ezra 7 (458 BC). During this time, the events described in the book of Esther took place. Plans for the Trip Ezra 7:6-10 The second section of the book begins with a listing of Ezra”s credentials. Ruben Ratzlaff notes, “Like many of
