In today’s Bible reading* we read that while Nehemiah was fortifying the wall around Jerusalem, he was heckled by Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. Once the project was completed, Nehemiah was still hassled by Tobiah who continued to write intimidating letters to Nehemiah. Part of the problem was corruption on the part of God’s people who…
Today’s Bible reading* gives us an example of someone who was deeply committed to studying, obeying, and teaching God’s Word, Ezra the Priest and Scribe. Ezra traveled for four months to return home from his captivity in Babylon. (Ezra 7:9) The Christian Standard Study Bible gives us a little insight into Ezra’s journey: “Ezra’s journey…
If you’ve been around church for very long, you’ve probably heard a message from today’s Bible reading* about robbing God. In fact, Malachi 3:10 is probably one of the most-used verses when it comes to encouraging God’s people to give a “tithe”. Many preachers preach against people robbing God by withholding the tithe. Under the…
Today’s Bible reading* is a familiar story to many of us who grew up in church. It concerns a young Jewish woman who became queen and found herself in a position to intercede on behalf of her people “for such a time as this”. Hadassah (Esther’s real name) didn’t seek the position of queen. But…
In today’s Bible reading* the people returning from Babylon run into opposition to their charge to rebuild the Temple. The people who had remained in the land offered to help with the construction and those returning responded, “No thanks. We have no common interests with you in rebuilding the temple.” (Ezra 4:3) Why would the…
Today’s Bible reading* raises an interesting question: “How free is our free will?” Many people hold very strongly to the view that everyone has free will. There are even Free Will Baptists. Second Chronicles 36:22 and Ezra 1:1 are obviously parallel passages; they say the same thing about Cyrus of Persia. In the first year…
