Nehemiah

 

Nehemiah

It is supposed that Ezra wrote the book of Nehemiah, using Nehemiah’s memoirs.

Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the King of Persia. When he heard the city of Jerusalem was in ruin, it became a burden on his heart. When he relayed his burden to the King. By the hand of God, the King granted Nehemiah a leave of absence to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city walls, along with authority and resources to complete the task.

Nehemiah was one of the few truly great leaders. He led a third group of exiles home and motivated a disorganized, disillusioned people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in only 52 days! Nehemiah demonstrated moral courage in the face of tremendous opposition.

He not only rebuilt the wall, he and Ezra together renewed the obedience of the people and God’s covenant requirements.

Nehemiah shows us how God’s work gets done. When God moves our hearts about a situation, we should give ourselves over to prayer. Then, directed and empowered by the Lord, we can look for ways to step in and do what we can. We may be surprised at how much we can accomplish when the Lord is backing us.

Please read the Book listed so that you can understand the word of God to its fullness. This study comes from The Jeremiah Study Bible, The Bible for Hope, The King James Bible and the Nelson’s Quick Reference Bible Commentary.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com

Ezra

 

Ezra

When the Jews returned to Jerusalem they came in phases. The first group involved almost 50,000 Jews led by Zerubbel. The second occurred sixty years later with about 2,000 Jews coming with Ezra, the Priest and Scribe. Their goal was to restore the spiritual condition of the people.

When Ezra arrived he discovered that many Jewish men had taken pagan wives. Ezra’s confession and repentance on behalf of the people and how he led the people to confess and repent of their sins led to dissolving their mixed marriages.

The emphasis in Ezra is on trusting God for a new beginning and doing His work, no matter what obstacles and opposition are encountered. Although the days may be dark, God is there to guide us, protect us and help us.

In spite of difficulty and delay, the temple was completed.

Restoring worship in a shattered community is the best place to start after a major setback. Whether your setback is in life, a marriage, or a career where great damage has been done. Seeking the Lord in prayer, submitting to the truths of His Word, and acknowledging His wisdom, power and presence, His salvation, and His love is like pushing a reset button in life.

Please read the Book listed so that you can understand the word of God to its fullness. This study comes from The Jeremiah Study Bible, The Bible for Hope, The King James Bible and the Nelson’s Quick Reference Bible Commentary.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com

2nd. Chronicles

 

2^nd. Chronicles

This Chronicle opens with the reign of Solomon and describes the kings of Judah from the division of the kingdom to the captivity.

These two books were very important to the Jews who returned to Jerusalem. The genealogy was significant to the priests. The people needed David’s example of godliness and the much needed temple.

Nothing symbolized God’s presence among His people more than the temple.

When Hezekiah ruled he repaired and purified the temple and reinstated worship in Jerusalem. When Josiah became King he destroyed the idols, repaired the temple again and led the people to a renewed devotion to the covenant and to God.

God sent the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem when they chose to worship idols. The temple was burned down during the reign of the last King of Judah, Zedekiah.

God later moved the Persian King Cyrus to allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.

“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you…..therefore glorify God in your body and in your Spirit.” I Corinthians 6:19,20.

God purchased you with the blood of Jesus Christ.

Please read the Book listed so that you can understand the word of God to its fullness. This study comes from The Jeremiah Study Bible, The Bible for Hope, The King James Bible and the Nelson’s Quick Reference Bible Commentary.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com

 

1st. chronicles

 

Ist Chronicles

The focus here is on the line of David, the line which the Messiah would come. By highlighting David’s triumphs, the Author, thought to be Ezra, gave the exiles a blueprint of sorts for how to rebuild the nation. The Israelites needed a renewal of hope at this time in their history.

The record offers a history of Israel from the time of Saul’s death to the return of the Jews from captivity to Jerusalem under the rule of Cyrus. It gives an account of David’s forty-year reign.

Only the very youngest of those taken captive to Babylon might have still been living Seventy years later. They headed for a home in Jerusalem that they really hadn’t known. The Chronicles were written to explain to the exiles that they were still God’s people. Jerusalem was still the city of God where the temple of God will be rebuilt.

Every morning when we wake up, it is a fresh opportunity to begin life a new. We must consciously chose to give the Lord and our relationship with Him first priority. With our course set, we will experience greater confidence, a strong sense of purpose and a lot more joy.

Please read the Book listed so that you can understand the word of God to its fullness. This study comes from The Jeremiah Study Bible, The Bible for Hope, The King James Bible and the Nelson’s Quick Reference Bible Commentary.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com

2nd. Kings

 

2nd Kings

When the account of 1^st Kings began, the nation was one. After Solomon’s death, it divided, then both kingdoms went into captivity. The Northern tribes were taken by Assyria, and the Southern tribes were taken by Babylon (2 Kings 18-25). Because of their idolatry, there was nothing left for God to do but discipline His people as He had warned. (Deut. 28).

This is a sad, often violent story made bearable only by the promise of God to King David that his descendants will always be on the throne. (Acts 2:29,30). The final seed of David will sit upon that throne, Jesus Christ.

Most of the major and minor prophets of the Old Testament were active during the time of 2^nd. Kings. They condemned immorality, social injustice, and ungodly alliances. They called those people and rulers to return to God.

Sometimes we feel surrounded and overwhelmed by our circumstances. Maybe a health crisis, financial woes, a wandering child, a faltering marriage. No matter what our circumstances are, fixing our eyes on the Lord will bring fresh insight, hope and courage.

Please read the Book listed so that you can understand the word of God to its fullness. This study comes from The Jeremiah Study Bible, The Bible for Hope, The King James Bible and the Nelson’s Quick Reference Bible Commentary.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com

 

1st.Kings

 

1^st Kings

This book, possibly written by the Prophet Jeremiah, describes Solomon’s wise and able leadership over Israel. A beautiful temple is built in Jerusalem to the glory of God. Solomon had wealth, splendor and fame.

Solomon’s demise was in marrying multiple wives and his heart was stolen away by foreign wives and pagan gods. (Deut. 8:17-19).

Beware of unhealthy affections, sin is deceptive and addictive. What you do for God is not as important as what you do with God.

Ultimately his kingdom was divided. The Ten Northern tribes became Israel and are ruled by a succession of wicked kings. The Two Southern tribes takes the name of Judah. Judah was blessed with a few God-honoring rulers but most of their leaders were evil as well.

In First Kings 17, the Prophet Elijah becomes a well known counselor, God’s voice to the king and nation. Because of his travels between heaven and earth, it made him a most unique personality within God’s Word. He was the first to raise someone from the dead, and he left this world without dying.

The challenge for us in times of peace and plenty, in all times of our lives, is to continually cast ourselves on the Lord for His mercy, wisdom, counsel and grace.

Please read the Book listed so that you can understand the word of God to its fullness. This study comes from The Jeremiah Study Bible, The Bible for Hope, The King James Bible and the Nelson’s Quick Reference Bible Commentary.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com

 

2 Samuel

 

2 Samuel

David, the King is the main character in this book that records his national victories and his personal defeats. The turning point is his sin of adultery. The consequences affected both his family and the nation. David confessed his sins, submitted to God’s discipline, and spent his closing years of his reign preparing for the building of the temple.

After Saul and his sons were killed in battle (1 Samuel 27-31), David was free to take the throne. Immediately David set about to establish God as the central focus of the nation. He conquered Jerusalem and removed the Philistines, then brought the ark of God to Jerusalem to establish a permanent home for the presence of God on earth. This told the nation: “God is King, and He will reign over us from this site.”

David came from Judah, to whom God made the most detailed and long-lasting promise; David’s seed would sit upon the throne of Israel forever.

The lesson of 2 Samuel has nothing to do with living a sinless life, none of us can do that. God loved and blessed David because he humbled himself. He confessed his sins and turned from them. God restored David to a place of favor in His divine plan. He will do the same for us when we confess and do not defend our sins.

We cannot know what temptations, decisions, and opportunities we will face on every day of our lives. As we follow close behind God, we have the promise that He will guide our every step along the way.

Please read the Book listed so that you can understand the word of God to its fullness. This study comes from The Jeremiah Study Bible, The Bible for Hope, The King James Bible and the Nelson’s Quick Reference Bible Commentary.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com