For perhaps the first four months of his return to Jerusalem, rather than hang in the city, Ezra visits all of the neighbouring towns, issuing the king's decree. So it's not until he returns to Jerusalem that he discovers that there are some serious problems that are compromising … [Read more...] about Ezra #9 – Trouble in Covenant City
When Being Faithful Means Saying No
Christian Resistance. It's an uncomfortable term that, when rightly understood, simply means knowing when to say no - and then saying it. Christians will sometimes respond with suspicion about any doctrine or teaching that appears new to them - especially one that is likely to … [Read more...] about When Being Faithful Means Saying No
Ezra #8 – To You and Your Children
Those who came back under Ezra tended to be from those families that had come back in 538 B.C. (Ezra 2). Is there a principle here that would give encouragement and hope to parents? The message here seems to be that covenant faithfulness tends to run in families. "Even over … [Read more...] about Ezra #8 – To You and Your Children
Meditate on These Things
Meditation is an ancient practice and an inescapable one. We all meditate. We all ruminate on things. Whether they be fears, friends, family, joys, hopes, dreams, the colour of money, or what Julia Roberts wore at the Oscars. For Christians, the contemplation of God, His … [Read more...] about Meditate on These Things
Ezra #7-8 – The Hand of God
The time is about 60 years after the first return from Babylon, and in this chapter, we finally meet Ezra. There is a pattern of thought repeated throughout these chapters. In Ezra 4:4, the opposition toward God's people causes their “hands to drop”. In Ezra 6:22, God, through … [Read more...] about Ezra #7-8 – The Hand of God