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A great study in leadership, persistence and walking in faith!

Although the  book of  Ezra bears his name, he doesn’t make an appearance in Jerusalem until much later.  I hadn’t thought about it, but he probably was in Babylon (Susa) when Esther was made Queen.

Happy Anniversary to my lovely wife!   And now, on to “Esther’s revenge…..:”

One of the things I learn from reading the Bible chronologically is that even though the Jews had returned to Israel, there were still plenty of them left in Babylon.   They apparently didn’t all leave.  Which makes me wonder…how many Iranians or Iraqis today could have a jewish ancestor?   Wouldn’t that be ironic, considering how much they fight amongst each other?

I’m noticing several things in this passage that make me wonder, and several that make me smile.   There’s a lot of intrigue in Zechariah.

There are so many images and messages contained in these 7 chapters that we couldn’t possibly discuss them all in one writing…not that I would be qualified anyway…

I don’t know why, but I am interested in the sequence of events as I read through the Bible this year.   It may make a difference it how I interpret tese verses

If the names of the kings got you a little confused, then you aren’t alone.    This passage has a couple of paragraphs that are out of order.

The events in this chapter take place before Daniel 10-12.   Daniel write in the third year of Cyrus’ reign, and this begins in the first year.

These chapters in Daniel predict future events so accurately that there are some scholars who claim they must have been written “after the fact”, because no one could see the future in such detail.

There is no way to appreciate or understand what Daniel is talking about without knowing a little about history.   In the few brief remarks below I will try to outline a quick history that will help the reader understand (partially) what Daniel spoke of.

Nebuchadnezzar’s praise to God is truly inspiring.   Unless I’m mistaken, he would be a modern day Iraqi.   And Darius or Cyrus would be Iranians.  It’s evidence that God has come to rescue all nations, and that any nation, or any person can find favor with Him if the truly wish.  But be careful you don’t make this fatal mistake….

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Only three chapters long, Joel is quoted by Peter, and his insights are mentioned by many other Old Testament prophets.

What the Lord had in mind and what actually was built seem to be two very different things.   Ezekiel’s temple was supposed to have some of the features that we see in the “new Jerusalem” that comes down from heaven in Revelation

When you’re done reading today’s blog you will probably have more questions than answers…

Whoa!   In reading through God’s description to Ezekiel of the “next” temple, I learned something new!

Artist’s interpretation of what Ezekiel’s temple will look like are varied, but they all have certain things in common.   I’ve included one such picture below to help us envision what chapter 40 is describing.

I was not looking forward to my morning devotions, knowing that I would be reading more of Ezekiel’s warnings and pronouncements of doom.   I would rather study something “brighter” or “happier”.  That’s when it hit me….

Punishment for those who celebrate the punishment of others, restoration for those who are suffering, and a tantalizing hint of what might lie ahead.

I keep reading about the land “below”…the pit of the earth where people who have died apart from God live.   It reminds me of a doctrinal belief that I would like to share, “just for the record”.

Several of today’s prophecies are chronologically out of order…I wonder why they were recorded that way?

It begins with Ezekiel telling the exiles that Israel (Jerusalem) is in serious trouble, and then branches out to notify the surrounding countries that they aren’t immune either.   But the lesson that I take away today seems to be a subheading to the main storyline

Every 90 seconds…just over a minute and one half, someone else is raped in the United States.   Most of those take place in a location where the victim thought they would be safe; the home, at school or at work.

This doesn’t happen very often….the date is given right in the reading.   That allows us to know that this specific prophecy was given 4 years before Jerusalem fell

Ezekiel 18 is one of those passages that I use often to address a very contemporary question “can I lose my salvation?”

This passage is one of those scenes when we get to see Israel, and specifically Jerusalem through the eyes of God.   Even though I know what Israel is guilty of, this still appalls me.

It seems that today’s reading has a singular focus: judgment against those who claim to speak on behalf of the Lord, but really have no authority to do so.

Sometimes reading the Old Testament requires extra focus and determination, because the style of writing and the events are so unfamiliar.   But that didn’t seem to be the case for me today!  

If there was any doubt that the people deserved everything that was coming to them, it is erased with the revelation in Chapter 8.

Today we begin a new book of prophecy, and I’m pretty excited!  In Ezekiel it speaks of the possibility of the “third temple period”, and I am looking forward to considering that.

An encouraging thought from a poetic book meant to express grief…