A sure covenant. We have agreements, pacts, contracts, and other forms that lead to a commitment to carry out certain duties or fill requirements in business and other activities of life. What is the difference between the legal documents we use in business and the agreements we seal in our spiritual walk with Jesus? Are you … Continue reading –>
What order should we choose? Our lesson does not recommend an order of elements to include in our work of confessing and repenting before God, but what order do you prefer in your prayers to God for these items: 1) praise 2) repentance 3) celebration 4) confession 5) other.. Fasting and worship. Instead of a joyful celebration … Continue reading –>
The wall is complete, and the law is read. The completion of the wall was not an easy task, but once it was up and protecting the city of Jerusalem, the Children of Israel were ready to celebrate! The Bible account states that Ezra was asked to bring the Book of Moses to a special platform … Continue reading –>
Grievance time. Things seemed to be going fairly well on the outside for the Jewish community, but why is there so much worry and despair on the inside? What are some of the troubles the Jewish community is facing at this time when it seems that rebuilding prosperity should be the highest priority? How did a … Continue reading –>
Opposition to having helpers. If you were launching a new enterprise at your church and building a good-sized structure to contain it, wouldn’t you be delighted if a crew of experienced builders stopped by and volunteered to help? Why did the post-exilic Israelites back off when the local opposition offered to help rebuild the temple? … Continue reading –>
The task. It was time for the temple at Jerusalem to be rebuilt. We aren’t told this, but do you think Ezra and Nehemiah had special training for the work God assigned them to do? Or did God simply bestow on them the skills they needed? What were their spiritual responsibilities? Do you think every … Continue reading –>
1. Arrived and weeping. His wishes have been fulfilled, and the temple rebuilt. Why is Nehemiah so filled with distress that he weeps in mourning for several days? What is the bad news? From the perspective of their neighbors, what has to happen to God’s people? Is their wish fulfilled? 2. Nehemiah receives bad news. Hanani, probably … Continue reading –>
First return of the exiles. Imagine a prophecy so precise as the one predicting that for 70 years, God’s people would live in desolation, and then they would be released. Now it was almost time for that promise to be fulfilled. Why was Daniel upset? Should he have been? Do you and I ever feel … Continue reading –>
More than a place to meet. Is the church more than a group of people who come to the church building once a week to study God’s word? What are some limitations of a church bound up entirely in meeting the needs of worshipers for a meeting place to present a weekly program of interest … Continue reading –>
Our world as a hopeless mess. Without the light of God shining on our world there would be no life worth living. We know God is not happy with the way His created world of human beings have turned against Him to transform this world into a state of spiritual darkness. You may wonder why He … Continue reading –>
