Lasso of Truth

Nehemiah 5

Chapter 5

The story takes a turn.  The whole time the Jews have been working together on this wall, with a common enemy--Sanballat and Tobias--who have tried to keep their wall from being finished.  But this chapter is different.  Nehemiah discovers that there is dissension among his own people, between the very rich, and the very poor.

The poor are out of options.

The richest Jews have been taking advantage of the hardship of their brothers to get richer, gain control of more land, even enslaving the children of the poor in exchange for life's most basic necessities.

They saw the needy as an opportunity to get richer, instead of a chance to reach out and help.  Nehemiah is not having it.  After all he has done to unite them in the building of the wall, keep the enemy out, here his own people are their own enemies!

Taking advantage, taxing, even enslaving their own children.

It's easy to look at these people, God's people, who lived a long time ago, who we don't know personally, and say, "What's wrong with you people?" "Why would you live like that?"  But the truth is, this behavior is a little closer to home than we might realize. Just log onto any social media outlet and see how people treat each other. People who claim to know Jesus, tearing each other down, using their virtual soapbox to take advantage, mock, insult, demean. We are supposed to be banding together against the Enemy, fighting for the lost, the helpless, the poor, protecting the weak--but somehow, the ones we are supposed to be protecting, loving with the love of Jesus, have been confused in our minds with the One we are fighting against!

Let's remember. God loves His people. All people. He gave HIS LIFE for them.  The lost, sinful, confused, immoral, addicted, unclean, unlovely of this world are not our enemy.  Satan is our enemy. Stop attacking the ones God loves and get to fighting the real enemy. Our banner in this world is supposed to be LOVE.  But we insist on laying it down in exchange for GAIN, ADVANTAGE, SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS, or NOTORIETY. Put those things down.  Put on love.

v7 "I consulted with myself." He had to gather himself, not starting a war because of his anger.

v8 His argument was so sound that they couldn't respond.

"We finally have some leverage over the people who have held us captive.  And you step in and take their place."

v10 He offers an example. He has lent money and food to these people without forcing them to risk their fields and vineyards. He has given them loans without interest.  Not every situation needs to be an opportunity for financial gain.

Stop keeping score.  Stop trying to "win". Give freely so that your brother can take a breath without choking on his debt.  (this provides freedom for both the lender and the debtor!) It is impossible to truly live in the abundant grace of Jesus while nickling and diming those you do life with. So buy a friend dinner, take your sister's kids for the night, help your neighbor with some yard work.  And when they tell you they owe you one, tell them you're already even. Jesus paid an enormous price for your freedom. Accept that gift from Him, and show someone else what it feels like to be debt-free.

v12 They agree.

v13 Nehemiah throws what looks like a curse in there, for good measure.  But I think this is another form of prayer that Nehemiah is using. It's hard to trust someone who repents after acting in a horrible way.  These rich Jewish men seem to have turned from their wickedness. They seem to have resolved to do what is right, but they ENSLAVED OUR CHILDREN! Nehemiah's prayer is that God would hold them accountable. And that God would judge them harshly if they go back on their word.  He's laying his doubts and fears at God's feet.

v14-18 Nehemiah has flourished in his role as governor without collecting excessive taxes from an already oppressed people.  Even in his advantage, he didn't lord it over them, as previous governors had.

v19 Prayer for Remembrance. I don't think Nehemiah is telling God that He owes him one. I get the sense that when Nehemiah prays for something, it's like laying it on the alter.  Totally trusting Him with the issue. I think this is a prayer to God, that he would not let his efforts be in vain. 

God doesn't owe you anything for your good deeds.  But I think Nehemiah is just asking God to show him that he's been working toward something.  That maybe in the long run he would have something to show for it.  I think Nehemiah is releasing any need for reward into the hands of the Lord.  He trusts him to treat him fairly and lovingly, to show him the fruit of his labor, and he's giving all of that to God in this prayer.

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These are the examples of prayer that Nehemiah has given us so far:

BESEECHING PRAYER - a prayer to pray when you are in desperate need--weeping and mourning. Sometimes you don't even have words.  Your tears are your prayers, and God hears every one.  (Nehemiah 1:4)

SCRIPTURAL PRAYER - remembering God's words and promises and speaking them back to God.  This is a prayer of thanksgiving, trust, and an act of faith.  I like to think God loves it when we remember His words and apply them to our lives, even in conversation with Him. (Nehemiah 1:8-9)

PRAYER OF ACTION - when you are about to do something that you cannot do without God's help.  Prayer for success in what you know God is leading you to do. If you like bold statements and beautiful words, this is a good time to pray those things! (Nehemiah 1:11)

SILENT PRAYER - prayer when you are in immediate need. There is no time for lengthy prayers full of descriptive beautiful words.  Maybe it's just a single word, "Help!" (Nehemiah 2:4)

PRAYER OF EXULTATION - proclaiming God's work in your life.  Making a statement that He is the reason for your success. In this instance, Nehemiah was just remembering that God's hand was on him, and that's why the king granted his request.  Not all prayers start with, "Dear God..." You can pray this prayer while writing in your journal, posting on Facebook, or talking with a friend. It's a prayer of testimony. (Nehemiah 2:8)

HIDDEN PRAYER - sometimes God places something on your heart that is too precious or fragile to talk about it.  It could be a hope or a dream.  A task that seems impossible. And idea that is still forming. A desire of your heart that you can't even speak out loud to Him, let alone to anyone else. But he knows it.  He put that desire in you. It's OK to have secrets that are just between you and Him. He's the Lover of your Soul.(Nehemiah 2:11)

PRAYER WITHOUT PREAMBLE - not what we think of as a "good Christian prayer." Sometimes But if you wait until your heart is "right" before you come to the throne, you may never get there.  But God can handle your angry words and your raw emotion. Is your heart full of hate, pain, frustration, revenge, and all-out RAGE? You don't have to wait. Tell Him. He knows your pain.  He hurts when you hurt.  He is the One who heals hearts.  Just go to Him.  He's your Dad.  See what He can do for you. And through you.  Nehemiah trusted God with even his ugly emotions, and we can too. (Nehemiah 4:4-5)

PRAYER OF DISCOURAGEMENT - this is the prayer you pray when you are drowning. I pray this way a lot as a mom.  Are you feeling out of your depth?  Is fear taking over? Is your life and responsibility literally more than you can handle?  Just praying this prayer has a way of fortifying you in a new way. Let the words, "I can't do this" remind you to lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus. You will be surprised how much lighter your heart feels when you stop carrying weight you were never meant to carry.  Lean in to your weakness, and let the strength of the Lord take over.  (Nehemiah 4:9-10)

PRAYER FOR FORTITUDE - when you see your friend sinking into despair. You know God is strong. You know He's going to see her through this hard time.  But maybe she just can't see even the smallest glimmer of light at the end of her dark tunnel. She's weary from the fight, and the only prayers she's capable of are in the form of her weary tears.  It's time for you to stand in the gap for her. It can be so hard to watch someone sink into spiritual mire. But the Truth about who God is, and who she is to Him, holds so much power over despair. "Do not be afraid. Remember God who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses...Our God will fight for you." Pray this on your own, but also speak these words in person, out loud. Let the truth wash over her. Be like Aaron to her, holding her weary arms up until her battle is over. (Nehemiah 4:14-20)

PRAYER FOR JUSTICE - when someone has wronged you in a terrible way.  Betrayed your trust, took advantage of you, hurt you deeply.  It's hard to blindly forgive them and trust that they won't do it again if given the chance.  But holding onto the what ifs or contingency plans for next time is not truly forgiving them. It's holding on tightly to your heart and saying, I'll never let that happen again, because I'll never make myself vulnerable again.  But that's a form of captivity.  All people need closeness and vulnerability in their lives. Denying yourself that is like punishing yourself for someone else's crime.  If you are afraid to trust someone who hurt you, even though all evidence shows that they have changed, let God take over.  Tell God that you want the freedom that comes with trust. Tell Him that even though you are having trouble trusting the person who hurt you, that you trust HIM to make up the difference.  And feel free to pray that God would punish them severely if they betray you again. Trust God with your heart, and trust God to hold others accountable.  That's the only way to the freedom you want. He is faithful, He loves you, and He will fight for you. (Nehemiah 5:13)

PRAYER FOR REASSURANCE - when you are trudging through life, making good choices, and it feels like no one else can see the hard work you are doing, this is the prayer for you. A prayer that God would see the progress you are making and give you a sign that you're on the right path.  A prayer that you would be able to see the fruit of your labor. It's a way of acknowledging that even if no one ever makes a big deal about you, you believe God when He says you're a big deal to Him. This is a prayer of letting go of your desire for pat on the back, because you trust God, you know He wants the best for you, and you know He sees you. It's a prayer that says you entrust Him with the scales of justice, and that you are not keeping score. (Nehemiah 5:14)

Next time: Nehemiah 6-7

Nehemiah 3-4

Chapter 3

The men worked together, each on his portion of the wall.

High priests, goldsmiths, perfumers, officials, daughters, servants, and merchants.

All working separately on their own section of the wall, yet for a common goal.  Such a cool picture of the Body of Christ.

v23 Each took a section, just in front of their house.

These people had been living with the rubble all around them.  But it took someone giving them a charge and a plan to do anything about it.

You can never be sure how God will use you.  When His tabernacle was built, He used the finest craftsmen, experts in their fields.  They had been honing their craft for a lifetime, and God used their natural and well-practiced talents for His own purpose.

But here, we see the opposite.  These men (and women!) were asked to set aside their natural talents and work together for a unified purpose.  It is very likely that the goldsmiths, perfumers, and officials had no experience in building walls or hauling stone. I'm not sure the high priests felt all that comfortable working next to the merchants, or women.

Sometimes God gives you a task that it feels like you were made for.  You look back on your life and realize that everything has been leading to this one moment. He has given you these talents, gifts, strengths for exactly the job ahead.  It all makes sense.

But it seems like more often, He asks us to "play to our weaknesses." It's counter-intuitive.  We feel ill-equipped to do do what He's asked.  It goes against our very nature to accept it. But God isn't bound by our nature.  He's Supernatural. He asks the tongue-tied woman to give a public testimony.  He asks the rich man to volunteer on a housing project. He asks a loner to start a people-centered ministry.  He asks the people-person to spend weeks alone writing a book.  Look at your own life.  I bet He's asked something of you that plays right to your weakness.  It can be overwhelming!  

But God has promised that what He starts, He finishes.  That you can do all things through Christ. And when you complete the task that plays to your weakness--maybe even your weakest--you don't struggle with pride. You know that it was all God's work, through you.

Chapter 4

v2 Mockers love an audience.

v4 Nehemiah's response is prayer. (And asking God's curse on his mockers!)  God can handle your angry words and your raw emotion.  You don't have to wait to go to Him until your heart is right and full of mercy.  He's the One who heals your heart.  Just go to Him.

v6 The people had a mind to work - determined.

v10 "We ourselves are unable to build the wall."  That moment when the thing God has asked you to do is literally more than you can handle.

v13 Once again, called to play to their weakness.  Each family tasked with defending their portion of the wall.

v14 DO NOT be afraid of them!  Remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

When the Powers of this world are pressing in--pornography, addiction, depression, slavery, abuse, exploitation, death--remember your God.  Remember who you are fighting for.  Make a list.  Name them.  And keep fighting. It's worth it.

v15 Return to the wall, each one to his work.

v20 Do your work.  Ready your weapons.  Make a plan to rally together.  When the time comes, "OUR GOD WILL FIGHT FOR US."

Look how Nehemiah, the cupbearer to the king, has changed in these few chapters, over the course of a few months.  He has become a labor-contractor, a people-manager, a public speaker, a RALLYING-CRYER.  God equips those He calls.

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I want to add to our list of prayer-types used by Nehemiah.  I'll start with the ones we found yesterday and tack on today's at the end.  This book is rocking my definition of prayer.

BESEECHING PRAYER - a prayer to pray when you are in desperate need--weeping and mourning. Sometimes you don't even have words.  Your tears are your prayers, and God hears every one.  (Nehemiah 1:4)

SCRIPTURAL PRAYER - remembering God's words and promises and speaking them back to God.  This is a prayer of thanksgiving, trust, and an act of faith.  I like to think God loves it when we remember His words and apply them to our lives, even in conversation with Him. (Nehemiah 1:8-9)

PRAYER OF ACTION - when you are about to do something that you cannot do without God's help.  Prayer for success in what you know God is leading you to do. If you like bold statements and beautiful words, this is a good time to pray those things! (Nehemiah 1:11)

SILENT PRAYER - prayer when you are in immediate need. There is no time for lengthy prayers full of descriptive beautiful words.  Maybe it's just a single word, "Help!" (Nehemiah 2:4)

PRAYER OF EXULTATION - proclaiming God's work in your life.  Making a statement that He is the reason for your success. In this instance, Nehemiah was just remembering that God's hand was on him, and that's why the king granted his request.  Not all prayers start with, "Dear God..." You can pray this prayer while writing in your journal, posting on Facebook, or talking with a friend. It's a prayer of testimony. (Nehemiah 2:8)

HIDDEN PRAYER - sometimes God places something on your heart that is too precious or fragile to talk about it.  It could be a hope or a dream.  A task that seems impossible. And idea that is still forming. A desire of your heart that you can't even speak out loud to Him, let alone to anyone else. But he knows it.  He put that desire in you. It's OK to have secrets that are just between you and Him. He's the Lover of your Soul.(Nehemiah 2:11)

PRAYER WITHOUT PREAMBLE - not what we think of as a "good Christian prayer." Sometimes But if you wait until your heart is "right" before you come to the throne, you may never get there.  But God can handle your angry words and your raw emotion. Is your heart full of hate, pain, frustration, revenge, and all-out RAGE? You don't have to wait. Tell Him. He knows your pain.  He hurts when you hurt.  He is the One who heals hearts.  Just go to Him.  He's your Dad.  See what He can do for you. And through you.  Nehemiah trusted God with even his ugly emotions, and we can too. (Nehemiah 4:4-5)

PRAYER OF DISCOURAGEMENT - this is the prayer you pray when you are drowning. I pray this way a lot as a mom.  Are you feeling out of your depth?  Is fear taking over? Is your life and responsibility literally more than you can handle?  Just praying this prayer has a way of fortifying you in a new way. Let the words, "I can't do this" remind you to lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus. You will be surprised how much lighter your heart feels when you stop carrying weight you were never meant to carry.  Lean in to your weakness, and let the strength of the Lord take over.  (Nehemiah 4:9-10)

PRAYER FOR FORTITUDE - when you see your friend sinking into despair. You know God is strong. You know He's going to see her through this hard time.  But maybe she just can't see even the smallest glimmer of light at the end of her dark tunnel. She's weary from the fight, and the only prayers she's capable of are in the form of her weary tears.  It's time for you to stand in the gap for her. It can be so hard to watch someone sink into spiritual mire. But the Truth about who God is, and who she is to Him, holds so much power over despair. "Do not be afraid. Remember God who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses...Our God will fight for you." Pray this on your own, but also speak these words in person, out loud. Let the truth wash over her. Be like Aaron to her, holding her weary arms up until her battle is over. (Nehemiah 4:14-20)

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Next time: Nehemiah 5-7

Nehemiah 1-2

Hey, y'all!  Before you start reading, I just want to say, "Hey," and introduce myself.  I'm a mom of 4 kids and the wife of a youth pastor.  And let me just tell you, I was not "born to" do either of those roles.  But God has called me to these things, and I'm learning to lean into my weaknesses.  Because that's where His awesome power takes over.

We're about to start reading through the Book of Nehemiah, and I'm putting my notes here on this blog.  I am not a Bible scholar.  I don't have a degree from a Seminary or even a bookshelf full of commentaries.  But I do have something even better.  Jesus says that when you accept Him as the leader of your life, you get the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is able to walk you through and explain to your heart things in Scripture that might have seemed impossible to understand before.  That's all I'm taking with me as I read through His Word.  And it's EVERYTHING.

So why don't you jump in with me and see what God has to teach us through Nehemiah...and leave me a note in the comments so I know you stopped by!

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Chapter 1

v2 Nehemiah is out of touch with this homeland, and when he hears the news of destruction, he is devastated.

v4 I've noticed as I've looked ahead that Nehemiah prays a lot.  A LOT. And I've started keeping a note of when and how he prays.  Here we see the beseeching prayer--a prayer to pray when you are in desperate need--weeping and mourning. Sometimes you don't even have words.  Your tears are your prayers, and God hears every one.

v6 "I and my father's house have sinned." 1st person. Taking responsibility for the sin, even though he wasn't directly guilty.  He is aligning himself with his people, even though he has been separated from them.  This is a beautiful example of empathy, and a picture of what Jesus does for us.  He doesn't point his finger and shake his fist at us.  He gets down in the pit, wraps us in His love, and feels our pain.  He stands between us and the Father.

v8 Scriptural prayer - remembering God's words and promises and speaking them back to God.  This is a prayer of thanksgiving, trust, and an act of faith.  I like to think God loves it when we remember His words and apply them to our lives, even in conversation with Him.

Chapter 2

v4 Silent prayer - prayer when you are in immediate need of help. There is no time for lengthy prayers full of descriptive beautiful words.  Sometimes it's just a single word, "help!"

I read somewhere that the two most important prayers in anyone's life are "Help Me" and "Thank you."

v8 "The good hand of God was on me." His success with the king wasn't about his diction or poise, his timing or his tact.  He gave all credit for his success to the Lord.  "Thank you"

v17-18 Nehemiah lays out his plan for the people.  Remember what Nehemiah's job was? He was the cupbearer to the king.  He wasn't a city planner or construction worker.  He didn't have expertise in contracting labor or even leading large groups of people.  Yet God asked him to do it.

v19 Mocking, accusing, insulting, despising.  Sanballat and Tobiah are the enemies of this project, and their voices are very much like our Enemy.  When you read about them in this story, try not to relate them too closely to people in your life, but rather the Enemy of your Soul.  I think it will change how you see them.  Sometimes it feels like our enemy is human, but that's a distraction from the powers that we are really fighting.

The things that Sanballat and Tobiah are saying against God's people and the project that GOD HIMSELF tasked them with, sound so much like the things Satan tries to wedge into our hearts, almost every day.  And our response to him should be the same:

"The God of Heaven will give us success."  The mockers had no portion, right, or memorial in this land.  Just as Satan has no claim on our hearts when we are redeemed by Christ.  He can mock, accuse, slander, insult, and discourage.  But we don't have to listen to those empty words.  The God of Heaven will give us success.

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Ahhh! Are you noticing how right off the bat this book is piercing through things that you are dealing with RIGHT NOW?  I love that about Scripture.  Before we go, I want to keep a running list of how and when Nehemiah uses prayer in his life.

BESEECHING PRAYER - a prayer to pray when you are in desperate need--weeping and mourning. Sometimes you don't even have words.  Your tears are your prayers, and God hears every one.  (Nehemiah 1:4)

SCRIPTURAL PRAYER - remembering God's words and promises and speaking them back to God.  This is a prayer of thanksgiving, trust, and an act of faith.  I like to think God loves it when we remember His words and apply them to our lives, even in conversation with Him. (Nehemiah 1:8-9)

PRAYER OF ACTION - when you are about to do something that you cannot do without God's help.  Prayer for success in what you know God is leading you to do. If you like bold statements and beautiful words, this is a good time to pray those things! (Nehemiah 1:11)

SILENT PRAYER - prayer when you are in immediate need. There is no time for lengthy prayers full of descriptive beautiful words.  Maybe it's just a single word, "Help!" (Nehemiah 2:4)

PRAYER OF EXULTATION - proclaiming God's work in your life.  Making a statement that He is the reason for your success. In this instance, Nehemiah was just remembering that God's hand was on him, and that's why the king granted his request.  Not all prayers start with, "Dear God..." You can pray this prayer while writing in your journal, posting on Facebook, or talking with a friend. It's a prayer of testimony. (Nehemiah 2:8)

HIDDEN PRAYER - sometimes God places something on your heart that is too precious or fragile to talk about it.  It could be a hope or a dream.  A task that seems impossible. And idea that is still forming. A desire of your heart that you can't even speak out loud to Him, let alone to anyone else. But he knows it.  He put that desire in you. It's OK to have secrets that are just between you and Him. He's the Lover of your Soul.(Nehemiah 2:11)

That's all I've found so far in this passage, but if I missed one, let me know!  I don't know about you, but I'm inspired to explore prayer on a deeper level.  The variety of ways to communicate with God are mounting up!

Next time: Nehemiah 3-4

EZRA - A look back

Ezra is a short book with a lot of lists, but I think the theme I noticed this time is God's hand over the government and politics. 

It was God who softened Cyrus's heart toward the temple building.  The red tape after the finished foundation seemed like a major setback, but in the end, it led to the support of 3 different kings.

It was God who appointed Ezra, through Artaxerxes.  He was a man who knew and loved the Law, and was sensitive to the direction God wanted them to go.  When he heard about the issues and sin facing God's people, he dealt with it immediately.

Considering we are facing an eminent change in the future of American politics and government, with either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton to be our next president, I am relieved to read Ezra's story and remember that God is in control.

And another thing I noticed is this.  Ezra wasn't the king.  There wasn't a godly king.  Yet God used Ezra for his purpose, despite who was currently in power.  He used Ezra's skill with law to influence those not-so-wonderful leaders to do what was God's will. At the end, they were championing his cause (God's cause) and paying for it to be completed! We don't have to have a godly president for God's work to be done.  A lot of times we blame the government for hungry children, the homeless, the moral corruption in this country. And while some of that can surely be traced back to the Top, there is much that we can do in our neighborhoods, communities, and cities to fight back against injustice.  God has appointed Ezras all over our nation who are doing His work, and will continue to do His work--NO MATTER WHO GETS ELECTED IN NOVEMBER.  The people at the top actually have very little power to change actual lives.  But we do.  We can change actual lives, just by being obedient and available to His leading.  

Doesn't that make you sigh with relief?!

Doesn't it make you want to listen for His call?

Next time: Nehemiah 1-2

EZRA 9-10

Chapter 9

v 3-4 Ezra's reaction to hearing about mixed marriages within the Nation--especially since the leaders were most guilty--is severe.  The people start to assemble at the thought of God's wrath.

v6 Ezra has taken the shame upon himself, even though he's not directly guilty.

v10 I love how he comes to God here, open-handed, not sure how to proceed.  "What shall we say after this?"

Prayer isn't always about words.  Maybe it's never about words.  It's all about posture.  You are God. I'm not. I messed up.  I need you.

v15 He humbles himself completely, vulnerable to the decision of God.  "For no one can stand before you because of this."

Chapter 10

v3 Their solution is to put away the wives and children.

v9 A three-day assembly.  Trembling because of this matter, and the HEAVY RAIN. (haha)

v19 They pledged to put away their waives and offer a ram to cover their guilt.  HOW SAD!

v44 Some of them had children.

It's hard to think about these women and children, sent away from their homes. Separated from their providers, fathers. My heart aches. They didn't ask for this.  Why punish them? But it wasn't God who caused their pain. It was His people.  The men who disobeyed His law, and knowingly put them at risk by including them in their sin.  God's long-term plan required that His people be set apart.  His law was there to keep this kind of thing from happening. The loving nature of God is still evident here.  He doesn't change.  And from what I know about Him, and the way He cares for the outcast, I'm confident that He saw these women and children and provided for them, separate from the men who had caused their hardship.

Next time: EZRA, a look back!

EZRA 6-8

Chapter 6

v3 The original decree is found in the archives and it matches what the Jews' account was.

v8 Not only are they to allow the building to continue, but now they will have tax money cover the cost of "whatever is needed".

v11 The penalty for violating this edict was serious.

v15 Temple completed!

It must have been so frustrating when the schemes of those wicked men put a stop, and later a delay, on what they had been told to do, by GOD and by a KING!

But it looks like God allowed the delay, because when everything was sorted out, the Israelites had full financial and political support from three kings in the area. God is mighty and powerful, even in politics!

Chapter 7

v1-10 Ezra is introduced as a man of the law, a scribe and teacher, who has the good hand of God upon him.  He is also a direct descendant of Aaron.

v11-20 King Artaxerxes reaches out to Ezra, offering him money for sacrifices and other needs.

v25 He has appointed Ezra as a governor.

v27-28  The narrator changes again to 1st person.  It's like a journal entry, instead of a historical annotation.  Ezra gives all glory to God for this high appointment and honor.

Chapter 8

Ezra gets busy gathering the men he needs to govern Jerusalem.

v21-23 I love the style of writing here.  Very personal, including fears, thoughts, and feelings.

v22 He wants protection, but after seeking the Lord, it looks like he's not going to ask for it.

v31 God delivered them from enemies and ambushes on their journey.

v36 Everything seems peaceful and successful.  God is using the rulers of other nations to protect His people.

Next time: Ezra 9=10

 

EZRA 1-5

A note from Me:  Hey friend!  I don't know if anyone will ever read these words. It has taken me a long time to get here.  I started this secondary Bible-Study blog at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, thinking it would take me a year, maybe two, to get through the whole Bible.  That was in 2009!  There have been pauses, complete stops, a couple moves, two babies, and lots more happening in our lives since then, but occasionally I feel the call to get back to this massive project.  If you found me here by some miracle, WELCOME!  Please let me know you're here by saying a little something in the comments.

Also, I don't copy and paste the actual scripture passages here, so a Bible will come in handy.  Digital is fine, but there is something really wonderful about the feel of the page in your hand.  Being able to trace your finger along God's love letter to you, and jot a note in the margin.  Feel free to jump in with us here in Ezra, or check out any of the other book studies in the right-hand sidebar.  You can start anywhere.  There is no such thing as being behind in Bible Study.  It will speak to you where you are.  I promise.

Welcome, friend!

Anna

Chapter 1

v1-4 The New King Cyrus's decree that the Jews should be returned home.

v7 God is restoring His nation.

Chapter 2

v41 A whole line of singers from one family.  128 of them!

v59 Even in captivity they kept careful records of their lineage.  This will be very important later, regarding fulfilled prophesy and Jesus' bloodline.

v61 Some, who had neglected to stay separate from their captors, were left out of the priesthood.

Chapter 3

v2 Getting back to the Law of Moses.

This must have brought back a sense of security and belonging. 

History.  Safety.  All of the things that come with obedience to God.

v9 Several families band together.  "Stood United" to see the house of the Lord rebuilt.

v10 The foundation is complete, and the people celebrate.

v12 There is a mix of emotions.  The young, who have never seen a temple are rejoicing and full of hope.  But the old, who remember what had been, wept with loud voices, grieving what had been lost.

Chapter 4

v2 Some other guys want in on the project.

v3 They're like, "That's alright...we're good!"

v4 These outsiders begin a campaign of discouragement, fear, frustration, and accusation against the Israelites.

v11-16  The official letter to King Artaxerxes.  Politics are as old as time.

v21 The ploy worked, and the king responds with a cease and desist order.

v24 The construction is stopped, after only the foundation in laid.

Greed today is no different.  People want what isn't theirs.  They want to benefit, but they don't want to work for it. Just like the animals in The Little Red Hen.  But in this story, instead of just going hungry, the animals tore down the Little Red Hen's house and stole her bread.

Chapter 5

v2 Since they know God is with them, they start building again.

v4 The narrative changes to 1st person here.  The author was with them.

v5 They knew further desist orders would be delayed (red tape) so they built while they waited.

v11-15 This letter to King Darius serves as written historical document.

Next time: Ezra 6-10

 

II Chronicles - A Look Back

God has the power.

God wants to be with us.

The theme I am taking from this emotional roller coaster of a book is Power and Control.  God is the one with the power.  All of these kings, good or bad, strong or weak, wise or ignorant, they were ultimately powerless.  They succeeded because of God.  Or they failed as a part of His plan.

But the part of this story that is just CRAZY to me, is that in between all the power struggles, smiting, famous-making work that God does, whether against or for His people, He always offers them a way out.  No matter how nasty or evil a king has been, his repentance brings him straight back into fellowship with God.

I can't understand it. 

What does the all-powerful God want with us?

Why should He continue to pursue us?

In His power, all His show of strength, the purpose seems to be FOR US.

God is in control of everything.  He is all-powerful. 

And yet, what He desires, is us.

This revelation into the character of God is confounding and awe-inspiring.  And although some of the situational cause and effect changed when Jesus arrived on the scene, the character of God didn't.  We see it right here.  He wants us.

So bad that he'd give up all that power and live among us.

He'd suffer with us.

He'd die for us.

I am amazed.  I am confused.  I am so, so thankful.

And I'm head-over-heels in LOVE.

II Chronicles 34-36

Chapter 34

v2 did not turn aside.

v3 Began to seek after God at the age of 16.

Began making huge changes to the the entire nation at age 20.

THE YOUTH ARE MIGHTY FOR GOD.  And HE USES THEM IN MIGHTY WAYS!

v8 He repairs the ruined temple, delegating work to skilled workers and contractors. 

God might have called you to something huge.  Something way beyond your skill set.  But whatever He calls you to, He will equip you for.

v14  The Law is discovered

v19 Mourning what had been lost all those years.  Up until now, I guess he'd been relying on oral testimony and history?

v27 "I truly have heard you."  (God wants us.)

Chapter 35

v19 When Josiah is 26, he reinstates the Passover.

v25 Jeremiah's timeline.

Chapter 36

v4 The king changes.

v6 Nebuchadnezzar

v9 How can an 8-yr-old king be considered an evil king?  He only reigned 3 months!?!

v12 Maybe it had to do with rebelling against what Jeremiah spoke from the Lord.

v16 Until there was NO REMEDY.  God's desire for us will never end, but our free will has the power to hold His good back from us.

v21 Seventy years of bondage--this is what made Josiah tear his clothes.  God spared him, but not his people. 

Throughout this last chapter, it looks as if God's people--God Himself even--might be overpowered.  But in the end, after the tribulation was over, it only took God's stirring a man's spirit to get His people back to Judah.

God Is In Control.

Next time:

II Chronicles, the Summary

II Chronicles 31-33

Chapter 31

v5 Still giving abundantly

v7 the gifts to the Lord were placed in HEAPS!

v20 What he did was good, right, and true before the Lord his God.

Will this be said of me? Probably not in most cases, but I can strive for this.  I can make this my goal.

v21 He did every work to the house of God with all his heart.

Chapter 32

v8  "With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles."

v9 the King of Assyria begins his campaign of FEAR against the God of Jerusalem and His people.

v19 They spoke of the God of Jerusalem as of the gods of the peoples of the earth, the work of men's hands.  BUT THEY ARE NOT THE SAME!

v20 We do not have to defend God from insults and injury. HE IS GOD.  His Kingdom will stand.  He can defend Himself. And notice how God's people chose to respond.  They didn't write out carefully formulated, doctrinally sound arguments and post them publicly on Facebook.  THEY CRIED OUT TO THE LORD.

v26 Hezekiah's repentance after pride.

Chapter 33  Manasseh - pure evil.

v9 More evil than the destroyed nations.

v10 the Lord spoke to them, but they paid not attention.

v12-13 Manasseh sees his error and humbles himself.  God brings him back.  God was moved by his entreaty!  He. Wants. Us.

AND THEN MANASSEH KNEW THE LORD WAS GOD.

v15 Repentance in action.

v22 Even though Manasseh was forgiven, his actions still carried consequences.  Even after his death, affecting future generations.

This results in Amon's early death.

Next time: II Chronicles 34-36