We open our singing this Sabbath with the greatest of leaders being in Hymn 619, “Lead On O King Eternal”. We then look to Ezra and Nehemiah and find that they were very faithful to God: Hymn 602, “O Brother, Be Faithful”. Their leadership is reflected in Hymn 653, “Lead Them, My God, to Thee”. … Continue reading –>
Because they understood. The book of Nehemiah delivers a refreshing image about the value of leadership among God’s people. How can we apply the importance of God-inspired leadership to our fellow Christians today? Do you consider yourself to be one of God’s leaders today? If not, why not? Does God have a leadership role for … Continue reading –>
Look at the following texts. What do they tell us about these leaders and their influence over the people they ruled? 1 Kings 15:26, 1 Kings 15:34 2 Kings 13:1-3 John 11:46-53 It is a sobering thought to many of us who hold positions of leadership in any capacity that our leadership has the potential to … Continue reading –>
All through the Bible, we can find examples of leadership, both good and bad, and sometimes even a mixture of both. Bad leaders, at times, have done some good things, while good leaders, at times, have done some bad things. After all, all leaders are human beings and, as such, are capable of both good … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Kings 12:1-16; Acts 15:7-11; John 11:46-53; Neh. 4:7-23; Ezra 8:21-23, Ezra 8:31-32. Memory Text: “And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them” (Nehemiah 8:12, NKJV). Both Ezra and Nehemiah are examples of great leaders who were dedicated to … Continue reading –>
But that doesn’t mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God’s law to be overturned. “For example, a man who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery. And anyone who marries a woman divorced from her husband … Continue reading –>
God’s Math By Andrew McChesney, Adventist Mission Jannie Bekker, a genteel South African with wavy blond hair, was deployed to Vietnam’s capital with $2 million and the momentous task of establishing the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s first “urban center of influence” in the southeast Asian country. Bekker, however, struggled to find a suitable property in Hanoi. … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Ellen G. White, “Reformation”, pages 669–678, in Prophets and Kings. “Industry in a God-appointed duty is an important part of true religion. Men should seize circumstances as God’s instruments with which to work His will. Prompt and decisive action at the right time will gain glorious triumphs, while delay and neglect result in failure and dishonor … Continue reading –>
From what we have seen in Ezra and Nehemiah about this issue of mixed marriages, it’s clear that God takes marriage seriously, and that we should, as well. We should prayerfully consider a potential marriage partner, and include God in the decision-making. And we should decide to be faithful to God’s principles, which can protect … Continue reading –>
Read Ezra 10:1-44. How did Ezra and the leaders tackle the issue of intermarriage? Together, the whole assembly decided to send the foreign wives away. Amazingly, even those who married them agreed with the plan, except for the four men mentioned by name in Ezra 10:15. The Jews promised to send their spouses away, and it … Continue reading –>
Just as Ezra and Nehemiah were asking the Israelites to stand up for their God, today we can shout “Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus!”, Hymn 618 and Hymn 610, “Stand Like the Brave”. Nehemiah used the “Wonderful Words of Life”, Hymn 286, Deuteronomy 28, to curse the people for their wrong-doing while teaching them what … Continue reading –>
Too ashamed. Imagine Ezra wailing, “O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God; for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has grown up to the heavens’ ” (Ezra 9:6, NKJV). And what seemed to be the main cause of the iniquity spreading everywhere? Mixed marriage! What? … Continue reading –>
