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 –>
Do you hear “Hark! The Voice of Jesus Calling”, Hymn 359 in our lesson study title for this week? Or, Hymn 287, “Softly and Tenderly”? I heard Hymn 361, “Hark! Tis the Shepherd’s Voice I Hear”. Ezra and Nehemiah certainly heard God’s voice calling them. These prophets were to lead the people, rebuild the sanctuary … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : The time of Christ’s coming, His anointing by the Holy Spirit, His death, and the giving of the gospel is definitely pointed out in Ezra’s timeline related to Daniel chapter 9. October 19, 2019 1. Have a volunteer read Daniel 9:24-27 Ask class members to share a thought on what the most … Continue reading –>
In the first lesson of this quarter, we studied how God called Zerubbabel (c. 538 B.C). and Ezra (457 B.C). to special ministries. In the second lesson, we considered God’s call for Nehemiah (444 B.C.). We need to realize that these callings were performed in harmony with God’s foreknowledge. For example, Zerubbabel was moved by … Continue reading –>
We could say that Ezra was chosen for various reasons: 1. he was willing to go; 2. he was a leader; and 3. he was a skilled scribe and teacher. There are additional reasons that we could find, as well. But there is one verse that perhaps best demonstrates why Ezra was given this task. What does Ezra 7:10 say about Ezra? How … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Ezra 7:10; Neh. 1:1-11; Dan. 9:24-27; Daniel 8:1-27; Rom. 8:28-29; Romans 9:1-33; Exodus 3:1-4:31. Memory Text: “Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem” (Ezra 7:27, NKJV). Does God call each person to … Continue reading –>
Gift of 4,000 Euros By Viriato Ferreira A serious dilemma unexpectedly emerged on a Friday morning. The architect of our VitaSalus Wellness Center announced that we urgently needed to put up railings around several buildings. “If someone falls, you’ll be in trouble”, he warned. We knew that he was right. VitaSalus – an Ellen White-inspired … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Contemplate “A Man of Opportunity”, pages 628–634, in Prophets and Kings. Nehemiah was a man of prayer: “Nehemiah had often poured out his soul in behalf of his people. But now as he prayed a holy purpose formed in his mind. He resolved that if he could obtain the consent of the king, and … Continue reading –>
No question, the Lord had called Nehemiah to this task and would provide all that he would need. Armed with the knowledge of God’s promises and the certainty of the call by God, Nehemiah proceeded. But he moved ahead carefully and prayerfully. In other words, even though he knew God was with him, this knowledge … Continue reading –>
The king sent letters with Nehemiah to Sanballat the Horonite and to Tobiah the Ammonite, the high officials of the region beyond the River, in order to pave the way for what Nehemiah was to accomplish. Additionally, the king commanded Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, to provide Nehemiah with all the timber necessary … Continue reading –>
In our Memory Text, Nehemiah prays ‘O great and awesome God’ as we sing in Hymn 86, “How Great Thou Art”, Hymn 88, “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” and in Hymn 90, “Eternal God, Whose Power Upholds”. Nehemiah reminds God of His promises in Nehemiah 1:8, 9 on Monday as does Hymn 510, … 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 –>
