We finish up the book of Nehemiah today! Esther is up tomorrow! Today in Nehemiah chapter 12 we read about the dedication of Jerusalem’s Wall, which is awesome to read about. Verses 27 & 28 tell us – “During the dedication of the new wall of Jerusalem, the Levites throughout the land were asked to come to Jerusalem to assist in the ceremonies. They were to take part in the joyous occasion with their songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, lyres, and harps. The singers were brought together from Jerusalem and its surrounding villages and from the villages of the Netophathites.”
Below is a great image for Nehemiah chapter 12 verse 30 today:
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of the beautiful song “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus:”
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Today in Nehemiah chapter 11 we read about the people of Israel occupying Jerusalem – and not necessarily by their own choice! Lots had to be thrown to determine which 1 out of every 10 people in rural areas would move to Jerusalem. Verses 1 & 2 tell us: “Now the leaders of the people were living in Jerusalem, the holy city, at this time. A tenth of the people from the other towns of Judah and Benjamin were chosen by sacred lots to live there, too, while the rest stayed where they were. And the people commended everyone who volunteered to resettle in Jerusalem.” I read an interesting commentary that speculated that some people did not want to move to Jerusalem from the countryside because it would mean they would have to more stringently follow God with their lives. This would be due to social pressures of living in Jerusalem and proximity to the Temple. And this made me wonder – are we like this in our lives today too? Maybe we go through periods of time where we don’t go to church because it means we might have to actually start living our lives like Christians due to the community that church provides? I am always worried when I get to points in my life where I don’t feel like going to church. It is in those moments that I realize how desperately I need church – and yet how I’m trying to avoid going. I don’t want to change some behavior. I don’t want people to see me for who I really am. I don’t want to be too close to the “Temple”… How about you. If you’re called to “move to Jerusalem” by God, will you move? In the words of a famous Switchfoot song, “I dare you to move.” Below is a nice map of Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s time:
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Steven Curtis Chapman’s song, “Do Everything:”
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Today in Nehemiah chapter 9 we wrap up the wonderful prayer of the Levites that began in yesterday’s readings! This prayer is a fantastic overview of God’s grace and discipline to the Israelites.
Today in Nehemiah chapter 10 we read the vows of the people, including these in verses 30 & 31: “We promise not to let our daughters marry the pagan people of the land, nor to let our sons marry their daughters. We further promise that if the people of the land should bring any merchandise or grain to be sold on the Sabbath or on any other holy day, we will refuse to buy it. And we promise not to do any work every seventh year and to cancel the debts owed to us by other Jews.” How are you doing with taking a Sabbath?
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of the wonderful Selah video and song “You Raise Me Up:”
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
We have powerful readings in Nehemiah today! Just to frame up for us the date of these readings, in chapter 8 verse 2 we are reading about October 8, 444 B.C. Verses 2 & 3 today tell us: “So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the scroll of the law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people paid close attention to the Book of the Law.”
You’ll note in verse 2 that we read about Ezra for the first time in the book of Nehemiah. And of course we just recently read the book of Ezra. Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries. Ezra was a priest and scribe – a religious leader – whereas Nehemiah was the governor – not a member of the religious establishment nor a prophet. However, it’s important to note that Nehemiah was a layman who was very devoted to God! Nehemiah pursued God’s will in a secular world. Do you suppose that you and I could learn something for our lives today from Nehemiah’s devotion to God as a layperson? As a layperson, are you living your life fully devoted to God and pursuing God’s will? Let us live like Nehemiah encourages us to live in chapter 8 verse 10 today! “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!” What do you think Nehemiah meant here by saying the joy of the Lord is your strength? Today, in your life, is the joy of the Lord your strength? If not, will you pray to know the joy of the Lord as your strength?
In Nehemiah chapter 9 verses 5 through 37 we read one of the most beautiful prayers in the Bible! I love it. Think you could ever pray a prayer like this one? I definitely don’t believe all of our prayers need to be like this one at all – but it’s pretty amazing to think about perhaps writing out a prayer of praise like this to God. Maybe even integrating in some of the amazing ways God has redeemed me. I’ll admit I’ve never done a prayer like this. But maybe someday I will. Maybe someday will you?
Worship Video: Chris Tomlin does a nice job quoting from Nehemiah 8:10 – for the joy of the Lord is our strength! – in his song “Holy is the Lord”:
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“The joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray for joy in the Lord today. Pray that the joy of the Lord is your strength, today and forevermore!
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
It is great to see Nehemiah’s strong character in today’s readings! As governor, he could have taken full advantage of collecting food allotments from the people. But he didn’t, as he knew these allotments would have been a burden on them. Then, Nehemiah sticks to leading the people in the goal of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem – which was an incredible feat that was pulled off in less than 2 months through God’s grace. And this is a wall that was down for 150 years! Is there anything you can apply to your life through today’s readings about Nehemiah? Are there areas of your life where perhaps you are taking advantage of a situation you shouldn’t? Is there a goal in your life that you’re not moving on that you should? Will you pray to God like Nehemiah did in 6:9 – “But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.””
Below is an image of Nehemiah in chapter 6 verses 4 through 7: “Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply. The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, and this is what it said: “Geshem tells me that everywhere he goes he hears that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king. He also reports that you have appointed prophets to prophesy about you in Jerusalem, saying, `Look! There is a king in Judah!’ You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.”
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the wonderful Crowder/Maverick City song “God Really Loves Us:”
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Today in Nehemiah chapter 3 we read about the Israelites involvement in the various segments of the wall of Jerusalem being rebuilt! Below is an image by C.F. Vos titled “Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem”:
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the awesome Sidewalk Prophets song called “The Words I Would Say:”
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Today we begin the book of Nehemiah! This is one of my favorite books of the Bible! Rebuild the Wall!
Author: Nehemiah Date: Fifth century B.C. Content: The book of Nehemiah continues the story begun by Ezra and deals with life in the restored community. The major point of Ezra is the rededication of the Temple. The major point of Nehemiah is the rebuilding of the city walls of Jerusalem. The book begins by explaining the need Jerusalem had for protection that walls would give. This is followed by a discussion of how the walls were build in spite of numerous problems both in the community and outside of it. A national day of repentance was called for and the project was completed. Theme: The main theme of this book is the sad fact that people are slow to learn the lessons God wants to teach them. The Israelites had been carried into captivity because of their sin, but now the very same problems rose again. The people were neglecting worship, prayer, and Bible study, not to mention the fact that they were treating each other unjustly. But God in his patience continued to send his messengers to them to offer salvation and pardon. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 8-9) More commentary on the book of Nehemiah is at this link:https://bible.org/article/introduction-books-ezra-nehemiah
Below is an image from today’s readings from Nehemiah chapter 1 verses 3 & 4 – “”Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been burned.” When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.”
Today in Nehemiah chapter 2 verse 17 we read “Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I am fascinated by the rebuilding of the Temple that we read about in Ezra and now the rebuilding of the Walls of Jerusalem in Nehemiah. The thought of rebuilding is something that I think each of us needs to meditate upon at times. I believe that over time in our lives we unfortunately can tear things down. Things that need rebuilding. Perhaps we have torn down our faith in some way. Perhaps our love for God. Perhaps our connection to a church community. Perhaps our relationship with a family member. Perhaps our service to the poor. Is there an area of your life that is in need of rebuilding? Will you meditate upon your life and begin to rebuild in that area? Will you pray to God for strength in rebuilding in that area and will you allow his Spirit to lead you? I pray you will be encouraged by our readings this week in Nehemiah as you read about the Israelites rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. And I pray you will begin rebuilding the things in your life that have perhaps tumbled down over time!
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of Rebecca St. James song “Wait for Me”:
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
We have some powerful readings in Ezra chapter 10 today, as we read about people publicly confessing their sin! An image is below for verses 10 through 12 – “Then Ezra the priest stood and said to them: “You have sinned, for you have married pagan women. Now we are even more deeply under condemnation than we were before. Confess your sin to the LORD, the God of your ancestors, and do what he demands. Separate yourselves from the people of the land and from these pagan women.” Then the whole assembly raised their voices and answered, “Yes, you are right; we must do as you say!”
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Casting Crowns song “If We are the Body.” Here’s a live version of this powerful song:
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Today in Ezra chapter 8 we read about Ezra & crew’s return from the exile in Babylon to Jerusalem. And below are some very artistic 🙂 scenes from this journey (well, except keep in mind that the Temple had already been rebuilt by the time Ezra & crew arrive – this image would have been better for the early chapters in Ezra…) –
Below is an image for Ezra chapter 9 verses 1 through 3: “But then the Jewish leaders came to me and said, “Many of the people of Israel, and even some of the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the other peoples living in the land. They have taken up the detestable practices of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. For the men of Israel have married women from these people and have taken them as wives for their sons… To make matters worse, the officials and leaders are some of the worst offenders.” When I heard this, I tore my clothing, pulled hair from my head and beard, and sat down utterly shocked.” And then a wonderful prayer of repentance from Ezra on behalf of the Israelites comes forth in the remainder of chapter 9 today. When is the last time you prayed a prayer of repentance? Should we pray prayers of repentance regularly?
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Phil Wickham’s song “Hymn of Heaven:”
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
We have great readings in Ezra today! It is very encouraging that King Artaxerxes wrote such a strong letter of endorsement for Ezra, the priest and scribe. It made me think that government and religion can work together for good. Below is a wonderful engraving from Gustave Dore of King Artaxerxes proclaiming freedom for the Israelites from Babylon:
I found chapter 7 verses 9 & 10 intriguing: “He had left Babylon on April 8 and came to Jerusalem on August 4, for the gracious hand of his God was on him. This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the law of the LORD and to teach those laws and regulations to the people of Israel.” What I noticed here is that it says about Ezra – “the gracious hand of his God was on him.” And why was this? “Because Ezra had determined to study and obey the law of the Lord AND to teach those laws and regulations to the people of Israel.” Ezra was living his life not just for himself. He was committed to studying God’s law and teaching it to those around him. And thus, the gracious hand of God was on him. And this just makes me wonder about our lives today. Are we committed to studying God’s Word, the Bible, and then teaching it to those around us? Are we like Ezra in any way? Should we be? Below is an image from a 14th century illuminated Bible of Ezra teaching the law:
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Rachel Lampa’s song “Perfectly Loved:”
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
