I love the story of Esther. It's very cinematic. It is, quite simply, a good story. The king is a bit of a cliche. His reactions are so extreme to everything. He either completely distances himself from any decision, simply ordering his advisors to do as they please, or he's quite dramatic. Haman gets truly … Continue reading Esther 6-10
Tag: faith
Esther 1-5
A couple things stood out to me reading through the first half of Esther. The first is that Mordecai is not the comforting, faithful father figure I used to think he was. Yes, he took in Esther and raised her as his own daughter when her parents died. That speaks highly of his character. He … Continue reading Esther 1-5
Nehemiah 10-11
If the word curse was explicitly used in reference to the covenant before this, I glossed right over it. I know the language of the covenant is very clearly if...then from the very beginning. God makes the consequences of breaking the covenant extremely clear. It simply isn't possible that anyone ever entered the covenant without … Continue reading Nehemiah 10-11
Nehemiah 7-9
The joy of the Lord is my strength. I love this verse. A group of traumatized people have returned to their ruined city. They've just listened to someone read out the law of God, a law they have not been following. They are devastated. Probably really scared. More than a little worried. And Ezra tells … Continue reading Nehemiah 7-9
Nehemiah 4-6
There's something about Nehemiah that sets it apart from the other books. I'm not entirely sure what it is, but it's something about the style, the voice of Nehemiah. It's written in first person. Ecclesiastes is written in first person, a few chapters in other books, but mostly it's just the Psalms. And Nehemiah. That … Continue reading Nehemiah 4-6
Nehemiah 1-3
Now, I'm not entirely clear on why the wall wasn't rebuilt after the temple. Did they just not have explicit permission to rebuild anything more of the city than the wall and they were too afraid to do so? It would make sense. They were surrounded by some pretty nasty people. I only wonder because … Continue reading Nehemiah 1-3
Ezra 4-6
So I read this passage, and the first thing that came to mind was "ain't always the way?" They get back to Jerusalem after a a pretty gruesome time of it and start rebuilding. Folks start rubber necking and wander over, offering to 'help.' Now, I reckon they probably had some fairly sinister intentions from … Continue reading Ezra 4-6
Ezra 1-3
I have two things to say. First, they built the altar before they even started on the foundations of the temple. They had their priorities. They immediately, upon returning to the city from exile, rebuilt the altar so they could practice the sacrifices God required. The altar wasn't seen as the crowning glory of the … Continue reading Ezra 1-3
Ezekiel 45-48
The river flowing from the temple is a fascinating. In the middle of a seemingly practical tour intended to provide instructions, the blueprints for rebuilding, there is this image of a river. A very dramatic and miraculous river. Where this river flows, there is life. It clarifies salt water, brings life to a desert: it … Continue reading Ezekiel 45-48
Ezekiel 40-44
Man. Okay, I know exile is pretty extreme. Siege and the horrible things that are done within the walls of a starving and frightened city are extreme. Judah faced pretty harsh judgment for their idolatry and profanity. But the personal nature of this judgment on the Levites is special. They are to tend the temple, … Continue reading Ezekiel 40-44
Pieces of the Mosaic 