Today’s Chapters: Nehemiah 10-Esther 1
Pete’s Thoughts:
Nehemiah 10
The people were so serious about their returning to a right standing with God that they made a covenant with God and each other. There were two parts to this covenant an oath of what they would do and a curse of what would happen to them if they failed in this covenant. That is a serious commitment – to put your well-being on the line. Yet that is the type of commitment that God requires of us. He commands us to be holy just as He is holy. You can’t do that and be like the world.
Nehemiah 11
The next step that was needed was to determine who would live inside Jerusalem and who would live in the surrounding areas. While everyone helped build and complete that wall, it would not have been feasible for everyone to live inside of the way for various reasons. Some of these reasons would be as simple as the need for farmers to grow their crops to feed people, to as complex as making sure everyone received the proper inheritance according to the Law.
Nehemiah 12
The priests listed in this chapter had a very important role to play. They were the priests who, after 70 years, would begin to lead the people in worship to God once more. Without these men, the people could not offer sacrifices nor have intercession before God. While it may look like just an ordinary list to us, these men were vastly important, especially in setting the scene for Christ entering the temple and being before the priests and high priest – the descendants of these men.
Nehemiah 13
The problem that constantly plagued the people of Israel before they went into exile was that they were constantly taking wives and husbands from the surrounding people groups. This would open them to worshiping other false gods and lead them away from God. The beginning of this chapter reminds the people of the principles of separation. After the exile, the nation of Israel never faced that problem again. I think they finally learned their lesson. It’s a shame it took such a drastic measure for them to learn it. What lesson is God trying to teach you? Make sure you pay attention before He has to do something drastic in your life!
Esther 1
This chapter sets the stage for one of the most interesting accounts in the Old Testament – the account of Esther. While the name of God is not expressly written in this book, we can see Him moving through out the entire story. His hand is guiding, protecting, and moving in ever verse and chapter. This is one of the greatest stories of Jewish history about the boldness of one woman to stand up against impossible odds, to take hold of the opportunities given her, and make a difference for her people and for the world.
