Scan over the lists in Ezra 2:1-70 and Nehemiah 7:1-73. What do you notice about them? The repetition of Ezra 2:1-70 (the list of those who returned from the Babylonian captivity with Zerubbabel and Joshua) in Nehemiah 7:1-73 is deliberate. Again, these lists might seem boring to us, but they reveal an important point, which is … Continue reading –>
The leaders of the people were living in Jerusalem, the holy city. 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. Nehemiah 11:1 NLT I love living in Florida, but that does not keep me … Continue reading –>
Read Ezra 1:9-11 and Daniel 1:1-2. How do the texts in Daniel help us understand what Ezra was referring to? Notice how in Ezra details are given, while in Daniel the big picture was presented. Together, though, these texts show that the Lord is in control. “The history of nations speaks to us today. To every nation and … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Ezra 1:9-11; Dan. 1:1-2; Dan. 5:1-30; Deut. 30:1-6; Ezra 8:1-23; Neh. 11:1-2; Neh. 12:1-26. Memory Text: “These joined with their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Consecration”, pages 43–48, in Steps to Christ. “The ministration of the earthly sanctuary consisted of two divisions; the priests ministered daily in the holy place, while once a year the high priest performed a special work of atonement in the most holy, for the cleansing of the sanctuary. Day by day the … Continue reading –>
Look at Nehemiah 10:32-39 again. Why were the temple’s practices essential for the Israelites, as shown by “we will not neglect the house of our God” (Neh. 10:39, NKJV)? Why was the Temple so important for the faith as a whole? (See also Heb. 8:1-7). The Israelites pledged to take care of the temple. Even though they were a small group … Continue reading –>
Read Nehemiah 10:30-39. What are four things the Israelites pledged to do as part of the renewed covenant? The people pledged the following: 1. No mixed marriages (no marriage to an individual who could lead one into idolatry); 2. True Sabbath observance (no distractions through business transactions); 3. Debt cancelation and Sabbatical year observance to care for the poor and give them … Continue reading –>
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 –>
The covenant, in the Memory Text, was sealed by the leaders, Levites and the priests, just as much as God sealed the covenant with Abram in Hymn 264, “O for That Flame of Living Fire”. The Children of Israel had their special way of putting their covenant in place with God. Hymn 347, “Built on … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: God is faithful to keep His promises. We should trust and cling to His promises. November 23, 2019 1 Have a volunteer read Nehemiah 10:1, 28-29. Ask the class what the main point of this passage is. Why did they have to separate themselves from the people of the land in order to … Continue reading –>
