It's all about Him

Nehemiah - Chapter 5

The work on the rebuilding of the walls to Jerusalem now runs into problems, because the people are in poverty.  There is a famine, and the poor are being hit by taxes and also by excessive interest. Nehemiah tells the leaders that he has been supporting the people and he

Nehemiah - Chapter 4

As the people are rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem they work with a sword in their hands: "Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. Every one of

Nehemiah - Chapter 3

In this chapter we read of the rebuilding of the walls of the City of Jerusalem.  the work was divided up and different people were responsible for sections between the various gates.  The first section mentioned covers the area up to the sheep gate, and this work was done by

Nehemiah - Chapter 2

Nehemiah is serving as a cupbearer to the King of Persia.  This was a very high royal position. In the Case for Christ study Bible the following link between Nehemiah 2 and Jesus s made: "Because Nehemiah left his royal standing to protect the Jewish people, some Bible commentators

Nehemiah - Chapter 1

The book of Nehemiah begins 15 years after the book of Ezra ends; 100 years after the first captives returned to Judah; and 150 years after Jerusalem was destroyed.  Nehemiah was in the capital city of the Persians, 800 miles from Jerusalem. However, although he was separated by distance and

Ezra - Chapter 10

In this chapter there is an enquiry into the sins of the people, by marrying wives from other nations.  There is a list of those found "guilty" and also agreement that there will be a ruthless response, with the foreign wives sent away. "Then Ezra the priest

Ezra - Chapter 9

In this chapter Ezra recognises that the people have failed to follow God's commands, and he takes this to God: "Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to

Ezra - Chapter 8

Ezra is on a long and potentially dangerous journey.  He refuses to ask for human help, because he does not want to show a lack of faith in God.  Instead he prays to God for protection, and God answers this prayer: "There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a

Ezra - Chapter 7

The people who have returned to Judah are still under the rule of the Persians.  However, they have given special privileges, by the king: "You are also to know that you have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or duty on any of the priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, temple

Ezra - Chapter 6

The new temple is now complete, with the support of King Darius. "The temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius." "On the fourteenth day of the first month, the exiles celebrated the Passover.

Ezra - Chapter 5

The people need encouragement in the building of the temple, and two prophets come to them to bring God's word.  These are Zechariah and Haggai, who each have a book of their prophecies in the Old Testament: "Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant

Ezra - Chapter 4

As soon as the work began on the restoration of the Temple, some Samaritans came to undermine the work, pretending that they wanted to help: "When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, they came

Ezra - Chapter 3

It says in Hebrews 9: "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." The law is looking ahead to the shedding of Jesus blood on the cross - the ultimate source of forgiveness. In

Ezra - Chapter 2

In this chapter we read about the people who returned to Jerusalem and Judah from th3 captivity in Babylon.  Details are given of their families, to show that they are entitled to carry out their various duties in God's service.  However, we then read: "59 The following

Ezra - Chapter 1

The prophecies of Jeremiah can be read in the book of Jeremiah.  In Chapter 25 we see God telling the people that they will be in captivity in Babylon 70 years, and in Chapter 30 God promises that after the captivity He will bring the people back to Israel. The

2 Chronicles - Chapter 36

As we come to the end of the book of 2 Chronicles we read of the final kings before the exile to Babylon and the destruction of the temple.  However, the book ends with a hope for the future, with the appearance of Cyrus, the king of the Persians: "

2 Chronicles - Chapter 35

King Josiah ends his life in an act which is against the word of God: "Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Necho had said at God’s command but went to fight him

2 Chronicles - Chapter 34

We now read about a good King, Josiah.  A prophet gives this message to Josiah, from God: " because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore

2 Chronicles - Chapter 33

Manassah was an evil King, and the description of his actions suggests that he is beyond forgiveness: "Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for fifty-five years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the

2 Chronicles - Chapter 32

Judah is facing an attack from the mighty army of Assyria.  The Israelites are mocked by the King of Assyria: ‘This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says: on what are you basing your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege? When Hezekiah says, “The Lord our God will

2 Chronicles - Chapter 31

In this chapter we see the people bringing their gifts to God: "The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the towns of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things dedicated to the Lord their God, and they

2 Chronicles - Chapter 30

In Chapter 29 the Temple had been without the light.  Now in Chapter 30 we read of a renewed relationship with God.  The people sacrifice the Passover lamb: "They slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and the Levites were ashamed and

2 Chronicles - Chapter 29

When the Temple was built, God had laid down rules on how it was to be used.  These rules were not being followed: "They also shut the doors of the portico and put out the lamps. They did not burn incense or present any burnt offerings at the sanctuary

2 Chronicles - Chapter 28

In this chapter the soldiers from Israel in the north have defeated the soldiers of Judah.  The prisoners are brought to Samaria, where a prophet of God speaks to them.  This results in them being merciful to their captives: "A prophet of the Lord named Oded was there, and

2 Chronicles - Chapter 27

This is a very short chapter, briefly outlining the reign of King Jotham. Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord. But the people acted corruptly. There is a contrast between