When Israel’s enemies—Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem again—hear that the wall’s been completed, they ask to meet with Nehemiah. Nehemiah sees that they plan to do…
Continue Reading....Month: January 2023
How to understand Nehemiah Chapter 5: Predatory Lending and Matthew 5:16
People are coming to Nehemiah with various complaints. They’re having trouble getting grain during a famine and are being forced to pledge their property just…
Continue Reading....How to understand Nehemiah Chapter 4: No Respect and 1 John 4:9
Now back to the action. Sanballat ridicules the Jews, and asks his associate and the army of Samaria what these Jews think they’re doing, rebuilding…
Continue Reading....How to understand Nehemiah Chapter 3: Ultimate Chore List and John 13:34
This is another long list and record-keeping chapter. Nehemiah explains exactly who repaired and rebuilt every part of the walls and gates. It’s impossible to…
Continue Reading....How to understand Nehemiah Chapter 2: Wine and Whine and Matthew 6:34
While serving wine to King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah looks sad, which he never does. Artaxerxes notices the sad face and asks what’s wrong, and Nehemiah explains…
Continue Reading....Praying for Damar Hamlin-Nehemiah Chapter 1: Quest of the Cupbearer and Jeremiah 29:11
This book begins by stating that it’s the first person account of Nehemiah. He says that he was living in the Persian capital, Susa. His…
Continue Reading....How to understand Ezra Chapter 10: Weep Fest and Proverbs 3:5
While Ezra prays and weeps in front of the temple, a large number of other people (men, women, and children) come and weep. A guy…
Continue Reading....How to understand Ezra Chapter 9: The Parent Trap and Revelation 3:20
After the burnt offerings, some Israelite officials approach Ezra and tell him that the people haven’t separated themselves from the people of other nations who…
Continue Reading....How to understand Ezra Chapter 8: List-O-Mania Part II: The Reckoning and 2 Corinthians 5:17
Still speaking in the first person, Ezra begins this chapter with another long list recording the names of the different heads of families who went…
Continue Reading....How to understand Ezra Chapter 7: Enter Ezra and Job 19:25
During the reign of Artaxerxes, Ezra leaves Babylonia. He’s a scribe who’s an expert in the Law of Moses, and King Artaxerxes gives him whatever…
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