Category: Biblical Reflections

In a total of fifty-two days, the people of Judah finished the wall.  When their enemies heard of it, they were disheartened, seeing the hand of God at work in this success.  Many of the nobles of Judah communicated by letter with Tobiah, because he had married a Judean woman.  They sang his praises to … Continue reading The Wall is Completed (Nehemiah 6:15 – 7:3)

When Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard that the wall was rebuilt, they wanted to have a meeting with Nehemiah in the plain of Ono, thinking to do him harm, accusing him of planning a revolt and declaring himself king.  Nehemiah refused, stating the following:  “I am doing a great work, so that I … Continue reading Remember Tobiah and Sanballat (Nehemiah 6:1 – 14)

Nehemiah was a generous man, not taking the governor's provisions, which came at the expense of the people in the land around him.  Instead, he provided for his own workers and one hundred and fifty Jews and rulers and other people from the nations around them.  The work on the wall continued.  Former governors had … Continue reading Remember Nehemiah: Nehemiah’s Investment (Nehemiah 5:14 – 19)

Sanballat and Tobiah were intent on stopping the work on the wall of Jerusalem.  They were angry and plotted how they would destroy the people of Judah. The pressure began to raise the stress level of the people, and they were feeling as if they could not withstand the coming attack.  Nehemiah positioned people by … Continue reading Defending the Wall (Nehemiah 4:1 – 5:13)

Nehemiah mourned over the condition of Jerusalem, the city of God.  He wept, fasted and prayed for many days.  He prayed a prayer of repentance and petition to God, asking for forgiveness for the sins of Judah, and also that God would restore the great city.  He was the king's cupbearer in Babylon.  When Nehemiah … Continue reading Jerusalem Returning (Nehemiah 1:1 – 2:10)

Ezra mourned over the sinful practice lived by the priests, Levites, and other Israelites in which they married wives from pagan lands.  When he confronted the people, they confessed their sins to the heads of households and began the process of putting them away and repenting of their actions.  Ezra continued to mourn and fast … Continue reading Confession and Repentance (Ezra 10:1 – 44)

The leaders informed Ezra that the priests and Levites had not separated themselves from the people of the nations surrounding Judah, and had intermarried with many pagan women and men.  There was an immediate reaction as this sin was confronted.  Ezra plucked out some of his hair and beard, tore his garment, and sat down … Continue reading Recognizing Sinful Relationships (Ezra 9:1 – 15)

Ezra appointed twelve leaders of the priests to carry the silver, gold, and articles of the temple back to Jerusalem.  These offerings came from the king his princes, and all the people of Israel.  The had six hundred and fifty talents of silver, plus 150 talents of silver articles, one hundred talents of gold, twenty … Continue reading We Come Bearing Gifts (Ezra 8:24 – 36)

Ezra gathered all those who would return to Jerusalem at the River that flowed to Ahava.  They camped there three days, making sure who was present.  They found none of the sons of Levi among them, so Ezra send a request to Iddo to help them find servants for the house of the Lord.  They … Continue reading Prayer for the Journey (Ezra 8:15 – 23)