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: Levites
June 21, 2021
June 27 | The Temple of Solomon
The Bible describes the Hebrew faith as a celebratory faith. The major festivals were essentially parties. Major life events—even funerals—were celebrated. And so were other big events, including the finishing of the tabernacle.
May 24, 2021
May 30 | City of David Founded
David’s reign would be centralized in Jerusalem and the presence of God would be located there as in no other city.
May 7, 2018
Lesson for May 13, 2018: Bringing Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9-14, 22)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 4 (weeks 17–20; April 29—May 20, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Our laughter and our tears display our hearts, but our calendars and checkbooks display our priorities. God wanted his people to get first things first. This principle related to every category of their lives. A reoccurring phrase in the book of Leviticus is, “I am the Lord.” God’s peoples’ conduct
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 22, 2013
Lesson for July 28, 2013: Giving Gifts for the Temple (Ezra 8:24-36)
By Sam E. Stone Today”s lesson is the last of five studies in the life and ministry of the respected Old Testament leader Ezra. In the book that bears his name, he describes how the Jews came to return to Israel from their Babylonian captivity. Ezra includes seven official documents or letters, in addition to his own memoirs. Especially striking is the prominence of Levites and temple personnel. When Ezra realized that no Levites were among those committed to return with him, he sent a delegation to a nearby area (Kasiphia) to recruit some. They were to “bring attendants to
July 1, 2013
Lesson for July 7, 2013: Restoring the Temple (Ezra 3:8-13)
By Sam E. Stone This is the second week of studies from the book of Ezra. It describes the time when God”s people were able to worship in Jerusalem once again. Being released from Babylonian captivity was not enough. Now they needed not only to rebuild the altar but also to restore the entire temple, following God”s directions for worship. The books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther contain the inspired record of what took place at this time period. James E. Smith explains, “The first six chapters of the Book of Ezra cover a single generation, 538-515 BC. The major
July 23, 2012
Lesson for July 29, 2012: Jehoshaphat Makes Judicial Reforms (2 Chronicles 18, 19)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone King Jehoshaphat was one of the more godly kings in the time of the divided kingdom. He ruled Judah around 873-848 BC, succeeding his father, Asa, on the throne (2 Chronicles 17:1). The writer declares, “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because in his early years he walked in the ways his father David had followed” (v. 3). He removed the “high places” used for pagan worship in Judah. Later in his life, however, he made the
