Archive for January 2017

We have before us in the first few verses, those who signed their names to this covenant; first was Nehemiah, then the priests, the Levites and the leaders of the people. It’s interesting we don’t see Ezra’s name given or listed; where he was or why he wasn’t included is unknown. Those who were represented…

Nehemiah completed the task of rebuilding the walls and hanging the gates was the last order of business for the laborers. A number of scholars believe that Hanani was the one who had initially communicated to Nehemiah about the condition of the walls of Jerusalem. Hanani must have other qualities that Nehemiah saw and held…

Nehemiah completed the task of rebuilding the walls and hanging the gates was the last order of business for the laborers. A number of scholars believe that Hanani was the one who had initially communicated to Nehemiah about the condition of the walls of Jerusalem. Hanani must have other qualities that Nehemiah saw and held…

Years ago a congregational member asked the question, “Does our battle with the enemy ever cease?” At the time the response was quick and with little contemplation, “No we don’t!” They weren’t encouraged by the response; however, it was the truth that observation, experience and scriptures all validate. It very well may have been a…

Politics in the Church is deplorable and about as old as the Church is. In this chapter we see there were divisions among the people; which the poorer ones were required to pay a tribute or tax. The amount wasn’t likely to be a great amount, however, being unable to pay it; they gave their…

The scope of our spiritual endeavor equals the scope and intensity of the enemy’s strategies and attack; the greater the scope, the greater the intensity. In the previous chapter we saw where Nehemiah and Judah had a sinister strategy employed against them; yet they successfully resisted by continuing the work. In this chapter we observe…

There are two repeated phrases in this chapter, which provide a strategy that continues to be a source of encouragement and strategy against the enemy. Those two phrases are “next to” and “after him”. When you study the origins these phrases, you’ll discover the first one means whatever resources you may have are available to…

Nehemiah was one of four cupbearers for the king with each serving on a quarterly basis. During this quarter of serving for Nehemiah, he had just received word of the condition of the wall around Jerusalem; which caused him to appear very despondent; to the degree Artaxerxes noticed it. It’s interesting that Artaxerxes knew Nehemiah…

Nehemiah gives us the account of reconstruction and rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. He likely over heard some people speaking Hebrew, referring to Jerusalem’s status; which prompted him to question as to what was the status there. The response was less than favorable as this “cupbearer” who must have been from a family of…

The final chapter of Ezra, the scribe, we discover a couple of interesting observations; one of which is very encouraging to every saint of God who has dropped the ball so to speak. We also read the status of a very sobering thought concerning keeping the commandments of the Lord. Many ancient writers join Ezra…