Notes: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him.
Ezra 8:22
Ezra
- God gives the Jewish people a fresh start, a chance to rebuild their nation on godly principles.
- After spending 50 years in exile because they didn’t follow God’s laws, the Jews are highly motivated to get it right this time.
- Covers about 100 years. 538 BC until mid 400s BC
Nehemiah
- Jerusalem’s walls are in ruins.
- Nehemiah convinces the Persian king to let him go to Jerusalem to refortify the walls.
- Nehemiah was a Jew who was the Persian king’s cupbearer in Susa, capital of Persian empire.
- In what appears to be a miracle, the Jews rebuild Jerusalem’s broken walls in just 52 days.
- Nehemiah wants Jews to follow God’s laws so they don’t anger Him again, and bring destruction on them.
Esther
- Esther is the Jewish queen of King Xerxes of the Persian empire. He had many queens.
- She saves the Jews from an empire-wide holocaust.
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Commentary: Jeremiah
ScriptureCommentaryJeremiahverse 11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. To give you hope and a future” God created you. He brought you to this earth to be born, and he wants you to have a good life...
Commentary: John
ScriptureCommentaryGospel of John19. Jesus spoke to them (the Pharisees questioning him). Jesus is telling them the truth that he, Jesus-the Son, is unable to do anything by himself. He is only able to do what he sees his Father doing. Jesus follows specifically and...
Commentary: 1 Peter
ScriptureCommentary1 Peterv1-2. Peter is writing to other Christians who are living throughout the region as exiles from Jerusalem. His brothers and sisters in Christ are known by Peter to be obedient to Christ and protected by Him. The exiles are Christians living in...
Notes: Colossians
For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.Colossians | 1:13-14Colossians 1:1-2Scripture... Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and...
Notes: Hebrews
In the past God spoke to our ancesters through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe.Hebrews | 1:1-2 When God speaks of a...
Notes: Romans
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.Romans | 5:8 Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome about 20 years after he starts his ministry. Paul's on his way to Rome as he makes a trip to Spain, and he's looking...
Notes: Jeremiah
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.Jeremiah 29:11Jeremiah 627-586 BC Through God, Jeremiah predicts a disaster on a scale with the Holocaust. He lives to see it, and...
Notes: Isaiah
When the time is right I, the LORD, will make it happen.Isaiah 60:22Isaiah A Jerusalem prophet God is patient, but He eventually punishes people and nations for their persistent sin. The punishment isn't vindictive, it's intended as a remedy to turn people away from...
Notes: Proverbs
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.Proverbs 16:3Proverbs A collection of practical advice about Godly living, and it comes from elderly men. Also called wisdom literature Shouldn't be taken as promises from God. Full of practical...
Notes: Psalms
When I was in deep trouble I searched for the LORD. Psalms 77:2Psalms A collection of 150 songs, prayers and sacred readings Jews used in worship. Many praise God, but nearly 1/2 are complaints or songs or prayers of grief, disappointment or urgent pleas for help. God...
Notes: 1 & 2 Chronicles
The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him He will forsake you.2 Chronicles 15:2b1 Chronicles Damage control. Turning the sad history of the books of Samuel and Kings, into glad history. God had taken...
Notes: 1 & 2 Kings
And observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.1 Kings 2:31 Kings When David grows...
Notes: 1 & 2 Samuel
God guards the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked die in darkness because no one succeeds by strength alone.1 Samuel 2:91 Samuel Last of the judges. God is Israel's king Sometimes God uses human leaders to rally the people. Samuel represents the people before...
Notes: Judges
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior."Judges 6:12 Joshua dies, but tasks Israel with conquering Canaan and honoring the agreement they made with God to obey His laws in return for His continued protection and...
Notes: Old Testament
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress. My God, in Him I will trust.Proverbs 91:1-2Abraham through Moses Abraham & Sarah - Isaac & Rebekah -...
Notes: John
Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.John 1:12 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world (1:9) God, who gives everything life, was coming to earth/the world. Even though...
Notes: Herod
The thief does not come except to steal, and kill, and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.John 10:10The HerodsNotes The Herods were a family dynasty similar to any royal family dynasty. 3 different rulers go by the...
Notes: Matthew 5:1-12, The Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.Matthew 5:3Matthew 5:1-12 The BeatitudesNotes Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Spirit here refers not to the Spirit of God, but to our human spirit... the deepest...
Notes: Matthew
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.Matthew 7:7MatthewNotesMatthew 1 & 2 Matthew aka Levi, was a Jew working as a tax collector for the Romans. The Jews hated him, and the Romans disdained him. Written...