Tag Archives: King James Bible Study

Daily Bible Reading “God Answers Nehemiah’s Prayer” (Nehemiah 2:1-10)

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Nehemiah 2 4God Answers Nehemiah’s Prayer

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Nehemiah 2:1-10. It was now the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, and it was the month of Nisan. Nehemiah went before the king to give him his wine and the king noticed that Nehemiah had a sad look on his face. The king asked Nehemiah why he was sad, was he sick or just sad in his heart? Nehemiah was extremely afraid to tell the king of his concern.

Since Nehemiah was the king’s cup-bearer he had constant access to the king and got to know the king personally. He was a trusted bodyguard to the king. It was his duty to protect the king and make sure that no one tried to kill the king through giving him food or wine that was poisoned.

Nehemiah prayed to God and he felt led to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. He asked for God’s favor with the king. Nehemiah said to the king, “Let the king live for ever.” He then goes on to tell the king that he’s sorrowful because the city of Jerusalem was destroyed and the gates were burned down. The king asked Nehemiah, what did he want him to do to help?

He told the king if he found favor in his eyes, he would like him to be sent back to Judah, to rebuild the city. The king asked him how long he would be gone and when he would return. Nehemiah gave the king a time and the king sent him to do the job that God had laid on his heart.

The king told him, with the queen sitting beside him to witness it, that he could go. Nehemiah asked the king to write letters to the governors on the other side of the river so they would permit him to pass through their territory until he arrived in Judah.

Nehemiah also asked that a letter be written to Asaph, who was the keeper of the king’s forest, so he would give him timbers for beams to use in the construction of the gates of the palace, the walls of the city, and the house he would live in. The king granted everything Nehemiah requested because the hand of God and His favor was upon Nehemiah.

Nehemiah went to the governors beyond the river and gave them the letters the king had written. The king also sent the captains of the army and horsemen along with Nehemiah. When the governors received the letters and heard that Nehemiah had come to check on the well-being of the children of Israel they were very distressed.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Nehemiah 2:1-10

1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.

2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,

3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?

4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.

5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.

6 And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.

7 Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;

8 And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.

9 Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.

10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.

 

Things to think about:

  • Why do you think Nehemiah was afraid to approach the king with his request?
  • How did God provide for Nehemiah’s project?
  • Have you ever felt led to do something so big that you knew you were going to have to have God’s favor to get it done?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You that we can see in this Scripture in the book of Nehemiah that You provided Nehemiah with everything he needed to do the job You had called him to do. We also see that You gave him the courage to go to the king and ask for the things he needed for the journey. Please help us and equip us to do the job You have called us to do and give us the courage to carry it through. We love You, LORD. Amen.

This is an excerpt from:

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination

by Deborah H. Bateman

**Click on the link above to get your copy.

 

Christian Music Video: Finding Favour – Say Amen

 

Featured Book:

Nehemiah(1)-25The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Nehemiah by Deborah H. Bateman. The book of Nehemiah is found in the Old Testament of the Bible. Nehemiah was led by God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah was a great leader. He headed up the project. Despite the opposition that the Jewish people encountered they were able to complete this major project in less than sixty days. Their dedication and determination shines through in every aspect of the project.

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination contains eighteen Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation or discussion and a prayer for the day. This is a great Bible study that can be used for either a personal Daily Bible Reading Study or for a group Bible study.

Go to Amazon to download your copy!

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Christian Daily Resources

Bible Verse Tweet

Recipe for Life

Like Deborah H. Bateman on Facebook

 

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive the Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study the Bible along with us.

Daily Bible Reading “Nehemiah’s Concern for Jerusalem” (Nehemiah 1:1-11)

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Nehemiah 1 4Nehemiah’s Concern for Jerusalem

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Nehemiah 1:1-11.  For those of you who have read my book The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection, the book of Nehemiah is the next book in the Bible after Ezra. The name Nehemiah means “comforted of the LORD.” Nehemiah was the son of Hachaliah and was thought to be from the tribe of Judah.

The book of Nehemiah describes the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and the purifying of the Jewish people. The events of this book are believed to have taken place in the second half of the fifth century. The book of Nehemiah begins about fifteen years after the book of Ezra. In the book of Ezra we learned about the Jewish people returning to Jerusalem after seventy years of Babylonian captivity to rebuild the temple.

In this Scripture we see that Nehemiah was a cup bearer in the palace at Shushan. The cupbearer had the duty of tasting the king’s wine before serving it to him to make sure it was not poisoned. Shushan was a place we learned about in the book of Esther. It was the place where the king’s palace was located. It was the twentieth year of the king’s reign and in the month of Chisleu that Nehemiah inquires about Jerusalem. Chisleu is from the Jewish calendar and is equivalent to November-December on the modern day (Gregorian) calendar.

Nehemiah learned from some of the men who had been to Jerusalem to check on the building program that the walls of the city of Jerusalem were broken down and the gates had been burned. The walls and gates of the city were to help protect the people of Jerusalem and keep its enemies out of the city. They also helped to keep the culture of the people of Jerusalem within the walls of the city. When Nehemiah heard about the condition of the city of Jerusalem and the ruin of its walls he cried, mourned, fasted, and prayed to God for days. Psalm 122:6 reminds us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”

Nehemiah prayed to God day and night for the children of Israel. He confessed they had sinned against God by not keeping His commandments or statutes. He begged God to remember that He had said if they were disobedient He would scatter them, but if they returned to God He would gather them back to Jerusalem.

Nehemiah begged God to have mercy on him and on the children of Israel.  Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Nehemiah knew the promises of God and he declared them for the people of Israel and for the city of Jerusalem.


Daily Bible Reading:

Nehemiah 1:1-11

1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,

2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,

5 And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:

6 Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned.

7 We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.

8 Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:

9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.

10 Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.

11 O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.

 

Things to think about:

  • What was Nehemiah’s concern for the people of Israel?
  • What was Nehemiah’s concern for the city of Jerusalem?
  • Why should we pray for the peace of Jerusalem?
  • Do you pray for God’s blessings on your country?
  • Have you ever been so concerned about something that you prayed for days to God like Nehemiah did?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Nehemiah where we see that Your servant Nehemiah had a heart for You and Your people. Help us to have that same kind of concern for the people of God. Forgive us of the ways that we have failed You. Help those who have turned away from You to turn back to You. Give us strength for this journey we’re on. Help those who don’t know You yet to find their way to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

This is an excerpt from:

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination

by Deborah H. Bateman

**Click on the link above to get your copy.

 

Christian Music Video:

Featured Book:

Nehemiah(1)-25The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Nehemiah by Deborah H. Bateman. The book of Nehemiah is found in the Old Testament of the Bible. Nehemiah was led by God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah was a great leader. He headed up the project. Despite the opposition that the Jewish people encountered they were able to complete this major project in less than sixty days. Their dedication and determination shines through in every aspect of the project.

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination contains eighteen Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation or discussion and a prayer for the day. This is a great Bible study that can be used for either a personal Daily Bible Reading Study or for a group Bible study.

Go to Amazon to download your copy!

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Christian Daily Resources

Bible Verse Tweet

Recipe for Life

Like Deborah H. Bateman on Facebook

 

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive the Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study the Bible along with us.

Daily Bible Reading “Opposition Arises” (Ezra 4:1-10)

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Ezra 4 Opposition arisesOpposition Arises

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ezra 4:1-10. In this Scripture, we see that the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard they were building the Temple to the LORD, God of Israel. They went to Zerubbabel, and asked him to let them build alongside the people of Judah. They claimed to be seeking and serving the same God as the children of the captivity.

Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and all the leaders of Israel told these enemies that they had nothing to do with them and the building project. The leaders let them know that the people of Judah were commissioned by King Cyrus, the king of Persia to build the temple and nothing would deter them. Have you noticed when you are doing something good everybody wants to jump on board? Sometimes they are jealous and want to hinder our progress rather than help us.

These particular people were jealous and angry. They tried to cause trouble for the people of Judah and slow the progress on the building of the Temple of God. They even bribed counselors to hinder the work. Historically, they caused the people of Judah trouble during the whole reign of King Cyrus and into the reign of King Darius, King of Persia.

When Solomon built the first temple, 1 Kings 5:4 tells us that he didn’t have any opposition. “But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.” The children of the exile were not going to be that fortunate; they would have to fight for years to complete the job of building the Temple of God. One of the enemies’ strategies was to tie the children of captivity up in legal matters to keep them from doing the work of the LORD.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Ezra 4:1-10

1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel;

2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.

3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.

4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,

5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.

8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:

9 Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,

10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time.

 

Things to think about:

  • Have you ever had anybody try to discourage you from doing the work God called you to do?
  • How do you respond when opposition arises?
  • What is the best way we can defeat the enemy?

 

Prayer of the day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we study the book of Ezra, we see that the people of long ago had opposition as they tryed to do the work You called them to do. Help us to not allow the enemy side track us and delay what You have called us to do. Help us to stay true and faithful to You and Your calling. Give us strength and courage when we face the enemy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

This is an excerpt from: The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection

I have shared the first five lessons from The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection this week to give you an idea of what the book is about. The book has a total of seventeen lessons. These first five lessons set the stage for the rest of the book and the adventure that the children of Israel experience while attempting to build the temple at Jerusalem. If you haven’t read the book yet, get a copy, and you will be blessed by the story that is revealed in The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection.

 

 

Christian Music Video: No Weapon – Fred Hammond

Featured Book: Have you read:

The Book of Ezra 25The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection by Deborah H. Bateman is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Ezra. The book of Ezra is found in the Old Testament of the Bible. After seventy years of Babylonian captivity God commissions King Cyrus to write a decree allowing the Jewish people to return home for the purpose of building the second temple at Jerusalem.

God is faithful to provide all their needs and protect them on their journey and throughout the process of the building of the temple despite the opposition and their own disobedience.

Each lesson consists of a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer of the day. The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection is a great Bible study for personal or group Bible study.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B0094XSHMC

Get your copy now!

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Christian Daily Resources

Bible Verse Tweet

Recipe for Life

Like Deborah H. Bateman on Facebook

 

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive the Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study the Bible along with us.

Daily Bible Reading “Celebrating God’s Blessings” (Ezra 3:8-13)

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Ezra 3 celebrating God's blessingsCelebrating God’s Blessings

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ezra 3:8-13. Our next lesson fast forwards in time to mid spring, April and May of 536. The second month of the second year finds the Israelites ready to build the house of the LORD.

Zerubbabel, Jeshua, the priests and Levites appointed men from the tribe of Levi who were 20 years old and older to oversee the work on the Temple of God. They gathered the workmen, and the builders laid the foundation.

When the foundation was completed, the Israelites had a victory celebration. The priests dressed in their ceremonial garments took their places. They blew their trumpets, while the sons of Asaph, originally appointed as musicians by King David, added their cymbals to the celebration.  Everyone worshipped and praised the LORD.

Zechariah 4:10 says, “For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.”

They were praising God because He is good and His mercy endures forever toward Israel. With shouts and praises to the LORD, the people rejoiced that the foundation of the Temple of God was completed. There were mixed emotions during the celebration, though, because some of the older men who remembered the first temple were saddened. They remembered the glory of Solomon’s Temple, even though more than fifty years had passed since its destruction. The noise of the people’s celebration was so great it was hard to discern between the shouts of joy and the expressions of sadness. The Bible tells us that the noise was heard from far away.

Isn’t it funny how people can attend the same event and experience different emotions? Sometimes significant events can bring about mixed feelings, just like this one did for the children of Israel. Certain things may trigger emotions from our past and cause sadness or joy.
The celebration reminds us that we need to thank God along the way for each success He gives us. The Israelites were thanking God that the foundation of the Temple of God was built, even though the whole temple was not yet completed. Similarly, God is not through with us yet. Like the temple, we are a work in progress, and need to celebrate the victories He gives us along the way.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Ezra 3:8-13

8 Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.

9 Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites.

10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.

11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:

13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

 

Things to think about:

  • What do you thank God for through praise and worship?
  • How do you celebrate the victories of God in your life?
  • What are some ways we can celebrate God?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the glimpse of Your people celebrating the victory You gave them when the foundation of the Temple of God was completed in Jerusalem. Help us to celebrate the victories You give us in our lives by worshiping and praising You. Help us to rejoice with those who are happy, and show Your compassion by crying with those who are sad. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

This is an excerpt from: The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection

 

Christian Music Video: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) – Matt Redman

 

Featured Book: Have you read:

The Book of Ezra 25The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection by Deborah H. Bateman is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Ezra. The book of Ezra is found in the Old Testament of the Bible. After seventy years of Babylonian captivity God commissions King Cyrus to write a decree allowing the Jewish people to return home for the purpose of building the second temple at Jerusalem.

God is faithful to provide all their needs and protect them on their journey and throughout the process of the building of the temple despite the opposition and their own disobedience.

Each lesson consists of a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer of the day. The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection is a great Bible study for personal or group Bible study.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B0094XSHMC

Get your copy now!

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Christian Daily Resources

Bible Verse Tweet

Recipe for Life

Like Deborah H. Bateman on Facebook

 

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive the Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study the Bible along with us.

Daily Bible Reading “Sacrifices” (Ezra 3:1-7)

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altarSacrifices

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ezra 3:1-7. The third chapter of Ezra begins in the seventh month, of the Hebrew calendar, which is the fall of the year. By this time the children of Israel had settled in their cities and then assembled together in Jerusalem as one man with a unified purpose.

Jeshua and his fellow priests rebuilt the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on it, as instructed in the Law of Moses. Even though the people were afraid of the local residents, they built the altar, set it upon its base, and offered morning and evening burnt offerings to the LORD. They also celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles, as was prescribed by the Law, by offering daily burnt offerings (Leviticus 23:33-43).

After the feast, they offered continual burnt offerings, for the new moons and all the appointed sacred feasts of the LORD. They also gave freewill offerings to the LORD (Leviticus 23). Even though they had not yet laid the foundation of  the temple, they offered these burnt offerings beginning on the first day of the seventh month.
They hired masons and carpenters. They gave food, drink, and oil to the people of Zidon and Tyre to pay them for bringing cedar trees from Lebanon to Joppa by the way of the sea, as Cyrus the king of Persia arranged. They returned to their land, served the LORD, and continued to build the Temple of God.

As we study about the temple and the Old Testament practice of animal sacrifice, we must keep in mind that when Jesus died on the cross, He offered up the final sacrifice for our sin. Now we no longer have to sacrifice animals on the altar as atonement for sin. Because Jesus lives inside those of us who are saved, we are His dwelling place, just as the tabernacle and temple were in times past. Now our sacrifice is a consecrated life yielded for His glory.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Ezra 3:1-7

1 And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.

2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.

3 And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.

4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;

5 And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD.

6 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.

7 They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.

 

Things to think about:

  • Do you need to return to the God of our fathers?
  • What do you sacrifice for the LORD?
  • What are some ways we can show our obedience to the LORD?

 

 Prayer of the day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You that in this Scripture we see that the people worshiped, praised, and sacrificed for You. They returned to their land and to the teachings of Your Word. Help us to have the same determination they had to serve You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

The picture above is a reconstruction of an ancient Israelite horned altar (based upon the remnants of the original one) as it was used to sacrifice animals. The original altar was probably dismantled during the time of Hezekiah, the King of Judah, with the centralization of the Israelite cult in the temple of Jerusalem. Location Tel Be’er Sheva.

This is an excerpt from: The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection

 

Christian Music Video:

 

Featured Book: Have you read:

The Book of Ezra 25The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection by Deborah H. Bateman is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Ezra. The book of Ezra is found in the Old Testament of the Bible. After seventy years of Babylonian captivity God commissions King Cyrus to write a decree allowing the Jewish people to return home for the purpose of building the second temple at Jerusalem.

God is faithful to provide all their needs and protect them on their journey and throughout the process of the building of the temple despite the opposition and their own disobedience.

Each lesson consists of a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer of the day. The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection is a great Bible study for personal or group Bible study.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study the Bible along with us.