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Nehemiah, the central figure in the book, served as the cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes I. The events described in the book take place during Nehemiah’s leadership in the reconstruction of Jerusalem’s walls, which occurred in the period following the Babylonian exile of the Jews. Most scholars date Nehemiah’s governorship and the events in the book to the 5th century BC, possibly around 445-433 BC. Nehemiah’s efforts to rebuild the walls and his reforms are significant aspects of these passages.

Nehemiah Chapter 10: Covenant Renewal: In this chapter, the people of Israel, led by their leaders, make a solemn covenant with God. They commit to follow the Law of Moses, including provisions related to marriage, Sabbath observance, and financial support for the temple. The law for the Jews was put in place by God to expose their need for a Savior. The people promise not to neglect the house of God and agree to contribute a portion of their resources to sustain the temple and its services.

Nehemiah Chapter 11: Inhabitants of Jerusalem: To repopulate Jerusalem, “lots are cast,” and one out of every ten people agree to move to the city. The chapter lists the names of those who willingly settled in Jerusalem, along with the leaders and officials of the city.

Nehemiah Chapter 12: Dedication of the Wall: This chapter details the dedication of the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem. The priests and Levites are organized into two choirs, which walk on the top of the walls in opposite directions until they meet at the temple. A great celebration ensues, accompanied by the singing of praises and the sounding of musical instruments.

Nehemiah Chapter 13: Reforms and Challenges: Nehemiah returns to Babylon for a period, and during his absence, some of the reforms instituted earlier begin to unravel. When Nehemiah comes back, he finds that Tobiah, an Ammonite official, has been given a room in the temple, and the Levites and singers have not been receiving their portions. Nehemiah cleanses the temple, reinstates proper Sabbath observance, and deals with those who have intermarried with foreigners. The book concludes with Nehemiah’s prayer for God’s remembrance of his faithfulness.

Overall, these chapters in the Book of Nehemiah highlight the commitment of the Jewish people to God’s covenant, the repopulation of Jerusalem, the dedication of the rebuilt walls, and Nehemiah’s efforts to address issues and maintain the reforms he had initiated.  God prophecy for a Jewish state (country) of Israel go back to the 5^th century BC.

As we watch the present-day war and battle for Israel, we are reminded that the Jewish people have possessed the land in this region and have operated as their own country/state by the prophecy of God.  Many detractors of Israel weighing in on the present-day conflict of Hamas attacking Israel, advocate for the Palestian’s to have their own land and “state,” but it has never existed.  “Palestine” has never been a nation or country.  The term “Palestine” has ancient origins and is associated with the Philistines, an ancient people who lived in the region. The Philistines are mentioned in the Bible and were one of the tribes who settled along the eastern Mediterranean coast.

The conflict happening today is as “old as time,” and will not end until Christ comes again.  The atrocities and horrific sadistic crimes committed by Hamas are the works of Satan and will not be resolved by man.  God has a plan, and He will ultimately reveal His purpose.  Until then, we pray for hope and peace.  More importantly, we pray for the Jews and our world to understand that Jesus Christ is their Savior and He will bring rest and peace to those that believe is His glory.

Today’s reading:  Nehemiah 4-6, Revelation 6

The Old Testament book of Nehemiah tells about the third return of God’s people to Jerusalem after they had been in captivity.  While the temple had been restored many years earlier, the wall around the city was not rebuilt until Nehemiah tackled the project.  He was a great leader.  Despite threats, ridicule and slander from his enemies as well as conflict and discouragement from his own workers.  Nehemiah pressed on.  Through his careful planning, problem-solving, teamwork and perseverance, the wall that had been in shambles for 70 years was rebuilt in just 52 days.  Protection and beauty was restored to God’s holy city.

The most important characteristic that set Nehemiah apart as a leader was that he was connected to God.  Every time he encountered an issue or problem, Nehemiah stopped and talked to God before he took action.  A few examples from today’s assigned reading:

• After being ridiculed by Tobiah and Sanballat, Nehemiah expressed his anger to God and prayed for justice to be served.

Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders (Nehemiah 4:4-5).

• In the face of enemy threats, Nehemiah prayed for God for protection.

But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat (Nehemiah 4:9).

• Nehemiah put his trust in God while asking for strength to endure.

They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.”  But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands” (Nehemiah 6:9).

Whether you are tackling transformational projects or maintaining the status quo, whether you are managing others or serving as a personal contributor, God can use you to accomplish great things.  Like Nehemiah, stay connected to him.

Today’s Reading: Esther 7-10; Revelations 3

The book of Esther is one of renowned understanding of how to use words, and how to use respectful silence to move mountains. In the book of Esther, we see an orphan who is given an opportunity to rise above her station. She’s given an opportunity to allow God to work in her life without trying to live according to her own agenda.   Esther had a great understanding of the importance of observation and willingness to submit to God’s will and authority.  The way that Esther accomplished this is using her words and influence.

Each day, we all want to have our voice heard. In most interactions that we have we want our intentions known and we want to be noticed.  We do not want to be left out of the conversation.  We don’t want to feel uninvited or unimportant.  We want to be a part of the conversation and the community.  Many times we aware of what’s going on,  but many times we may have misinformed and try to communicate our desires and feelings which are completely off-base.  Esther in our passage has an excellent understanding of when to use her influential words and when to allow the king to use his own understanding.

Throughout the last chapters of Esther, Esther uses her connection with the king to change the course of history. She allows her words to help guide the king to protect her people. What Esther does is not being over, powerful or brash, but she uses her words at the correct time with the correct tone to influence the king to save her people. She also uses her words to elevate her people and protect her people as well.

Esther is an amazing example of how meekness can be a powerful force.  Esther saved her people without the harshness of the world.  She shows us how gentleness is a force to change the hearts of the most powerful people.

“And on the second day, as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king again said to Esther, “What is your wish, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request. For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have been silent, for our affliction is not to be compared with the loss to the king.””

‭‭Esther‬ ‭7‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/est.7.2-4.ESV

She knows how to speak to the king, because she had seen the wrath of that king for many years.  She understood that her station could be changed at the slightest change in the king’s countenance.  She understood that the main focus was not on her, but in a bigger purpose.  She understood that she was part of God’s plan for something special. She was part of the future of the people, which would lead to our salvation.

Can we be more like Esther?  Can we set aside our own ambitions and words to allow God to use us as he needs? Can we choose to be slow to speak and allow God to work in our favor for his good and not out satisfaction of being correct?

Be blessed

I am sure that I am not the only one in disbelief that tomorrow is Thanksgiving?!?!!

How did it get here so fast? If I am honest, I have been a little stressed about the day and how it will play out. We are traveling to our son’s home and will not arrive till the wee hours of Thanksgiving morning. I will not have the luxury of making sure everything is bought and ready to go. I find myself getting caught up in all the “what-ifs” of the day. But when I read Psalm 95, part of our reading for today, it reminded me of what the day holds – THANKFULNESS and JOY!!

When I read Psalm 95 in The Passion Translation it put a little pep in my step. We are called to worship and sing for joy to the Lord.

Come on everyone! Let’s sing for joy to the Lord! Let’s shout our loudest praises to our God who saved us! Everyone come meet his face with a thankful heart. Don’t hold back your praises; make him great by your shouts of joy! For the Lord is the greatest of all, King-God over all other gods!
Psalm 95:1-3

“Don’t hold back your praises.” What would it look like if you did not hold back your praises tomorrow on the day of Thanks? I think of Mary Poppins and the song, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Can you even read that word without starting to sing it in your head? When I looked up the meaning of this word, it actually means extraordinarily good or wonderful.

I think of my worship to God and question my joy. Worship is not about me. Worship is about God. What would it look like if I got on my knees and worshipped Him with a thankful heart? Would it have anything to do with how the food turned out on Turkey Day? Probably not. When I put the focus on God and what He has done for me, my focus changes. I can celebrate and be thankful for the life I have and all that He has given me. He sent His Son to the cross to die for me. He died for me and all my sins so that I could have eternal life. If that is not SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPEALIDOCIOUS, I do not know what is.

So lets focus on the One to whom we give our thanks tomorrow. Thank You God for loving us enough to send your Son to the cross so that we may live eternally with You. May our joy overflow as we remember all we have to be thankful for. And may we smile when we think of this song and remember to sing for JOY to the Lord.

Todays reading:  Ezra 5-6, Psalm 95, 3 John