Kathleen's thoughts
Ezra 10: 1-8, 10: 9-44
Nehemiah 1: 11, 2: 1-6, 5: 14, 2:10-16
Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem 437BC
Ezra plans national gathering He did not eat food or drink water, because he was mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.
Ezra preaches and the people repent. You have been unfaithful by marring foreign women, adding to Israel's guilt. Therefore, make a confession to the Lord God of your fathers and do His will. Separate yourselves from the surrounding peoples and your foreign wives.
Foreign wives divorced.
Nehemiah's grief The survivors in the province, who returned from the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem's wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned down.
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah's prayer Lord God of heaven, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him and keep His commands, let Your eyes be open and Your ears be attentive to hear Your servant's prayer that I now pray to You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites.
They are Your servants and Your people,. You redeemed them by Your great power and strong hand.Please Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and to that of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success today, and have compassion on him in the presence of this man.
At the time, I was the king's cup bearer.
Nehemiah's request
Nehemiah appointed governor Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah. - from the twentieth year until his thirty-second year, 12 years - I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor,
Sanballat and Tobiah's indignation
Nehemiah's arrival in Jerusalem.
So then my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to act for His good purpose. Phil. 2: 12-13
Blessings
Kathleen.
September 25, 2012
265 - The return to Jersulalem
Kathleen's thoughts
Ezra 7: 21-28, 8: 1-36, 9: 1-15
Artaxerxes' decree I King Artaxerxes, issue a decree to all the treasurers in the region west of the Euphrates River; Whatever Ezra the priest and expert in the law of the God of heaven asks of you must be provided promptly.
Ezra's thanksgiving Praise the Lord God of our fathers, who has put it into the king's mind to glorify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. And who has shown favour to me before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officers. SO I took courage because I was strengthened by the Lord my God, and I gathered Israelite leaders to return with me.
The exiles who returne with Ezra
The campsites
Ezra finds Levites
Prayer ad fasting I proclaimed a fast by the Ahava River, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us, our children and all our possessions.
The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who abandon Him. So we fasted and pleaded with our God about this, and He granted our request.
The temple treasures
Journey begins, We set out from the Ahava River on the twelfth day of the first month to go to Jerusalem. We were strengthened by our God, and He protected us from the power of the enemy and from ambush along the way.
Ezra's arrival at Jerusalem
Ezra's grief
His prayer
For thought and contemplation.
The secret of Ezra's successful ministry is found in Ezra 7:10. He not only knew what he had to do, but he also did it. As someone has said.. "It is of no benefit to know more, unless you first do something with what you know already.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith, but does not have works? In the same way faith, if it doesn't have works, is dead by itself" James 2: 14,17
Blessings
Kathleen.
Ezra 7: 21-28, 8: 1-36, 9: 1-15
Artaxerxes' decree I King Artaxerxes, issue a decree to all the treasurers in the region west of the Euphrates River; Whatever Ezra the priest and expert in the law of the God of heaven asks of you must be provided promptly.
Ezra's thanksgiving Praise the Lord God of our fathers, who has put it into the king's mind to glorify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. And who has shown favour to me before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officers. SO I took courage because I was strengthened by the Lord my God, and I gathered Israelite leaders to return with me.
The exiles who returne with Ezra
The campsites
Ezra finds Levites
Prayer ad fasting I proclaimed a fast by the Ahava River, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us, our children and all our possessions.
The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who abandon Him. So we fasted and pleaded with our God about this, and He granted our request.
The temple treasures
Journey begins, We set out from the Ahava River on the twelfth day of the first month to go to Jerusalem. We were strengthened by our God, and He protected us from the power of the enemy and from ambush along the way.
Ezra's arrival at Jerusalem
Ezra's grief
His prayer
For thought and contemplation.
The secret of Ezra's successful ministry is found in Ezra 7:10. He not only knew what he had to do, but he also did it. As someone has said.. "It is of no benefit to know more, unless you first do something with what you know already.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith, but does not have works? In the same way faith, if it doesn't have works, is dead by itself" James 2: 14,17
Blessings
Kathleen.
September 21, 2012
264 - The Jews triumph
Kathleen's thoughts
Ester 8: 1-17, 9: 1-32, 10: 1-3
Ezra 7: 11-20
The king's edict That same day King Ahasuerus awarded Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Mordecai entered the king's presence because Esther had revealed her relationship to Mordecai. The king removed his signet ring he had recovered from Haman and gave it to Mordecai, and Esther put him in charge of Haman's estate.
The Jews rejoice
Their revenge and triumph
Days of rejoicing But the Jews in Susa had assembled on the thirteenth and the fourteenth days of the month. They rested on the fifteenth day of the month, and it became a day of feasting and rejoicing. This explains why the rural Jews who live in villages observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a time of rejoicing and feasting. It is a holiday when they send gits to one another.
The Feast of Purim
It's perpetual celebration These days are remembered and celebrated by every generation, family, province, and city, so that these days of Purim will not lose their significance in Jewish life and their memory will not fade from their descendants.
Mordecai's promotion
Ezra's commission
Through the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, thought there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation
Hab. 3: 17-18
Blessings
Kathleen.
Ester 8: 1-17, 9: 1-32, 10: 1-3
Ezra 7: 11-20
The king's edict That same day King Ahasuerus awarded Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Mordecai entered the king's presence because Esther had revealed her relationship to Mordecai. The king removed his signet ring he had recovered from Haman and gave it to Mordecai, and Esther put him in charge of Haman's estate.
The Jews rejoice
Their revenge and triumph
Days of rejoicing But the Jews in Susa had assembled on the thirteenth and the fourteenth days of the month. They rested on the fifteenth day of the month, and it became a day of feasting and rejoicing. This explains why the rural Jews who live in villages observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a time of rejoicing and feasting. It is a holiday when they send gits to one another.
The Feast of Purim
It's perpetual celebration These days are remembered and celebrated by every generation, family, province, and city, so that these days of Purim will not lose their significance in Jewish life and their memory will not fade from their descendants.
Mordecai's promotion
Ezra's commission
Through the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, thought there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation
Hab. 3: 17-18
Blessings
Kathleen.
263 - The tables are turned.
Kathleen's thoughts
Esther 3: 12-15, 4: 117, 4: 1-14, 6: 1-14, 7: 1-10
The command to annihilate all the Jews The royal scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and the order was written exactly ash Hamman commanded. it was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the royal signet ring. Letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces telling the officials to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jewish people young and old, women and children and plunder their possessions on a single day the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month.
Mordecai enlists Esther's help When Mordecai leaned all that had occurred, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth ad ashes, went into the middle of the city, and cried loudly and bitterly. He only went as far as the King's Gate.
Esther's female servants and her eunuchs came and reported the news to her, and the queen was overcome with fear. She sent clothes for Mordecai to wear so he could take of his sackcloth but he did not accept them.
Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa ordering their destruction, so that Hathach might show it to Esther, explain to her, and instruct her to approach the king, implore his favour, and plead with him personally for her people. Hathach came and repeated Mordecai;s response to Esther.
Esther sent this reply to Mordecai' God and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don't eat or drink for three days, night and day . I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish , I perish. So Mordecai went and did everything Esther had ordered him.
Esther's invitation One can see from these scriptures that the Lord answered the prayers and fasting of the Jews. As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, she won his approval. The king extended the golden scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
If it pleases the king "Esther replied may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for them."
So the king gave the command "Hurry and get Haman so we can do as Esther has requested.
While drinking the wine the king asked Esther, Whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom will be done.
Haman's rage against Mordecai
The king's sleepless night
Mordecai honoured By the king.
Haman accused Queen Esther answered, If I have obtained your approval , my king, and if the king is pleased, spare my life= this is my request; and spare my people, this is my desire. For my people and I have have been sold out to destruction, death, and extermination. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept silent. Indeed, the trouble wouldn't be worth burdening the king.
King Ahasuerus spoke up and asked Queen Esther, who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?"
ESther answered, "The adversary and enemy is this evil Haman:
Haman stood terrified before the king and queen.
Haman hanged Harbona, one of the royal eunuchs, said; There is a gallows 75 feet tall at Haman's house that he made for Mordecai who gave the report that saved the king: The king commanded, Hang him on it"
They hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's anger subsided.
Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking,, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will opened. Matthew 7: 7-8
Blessings
Kathleen.
September 20, 2012
262 - A beauty contest
Kathleen's thoughts
Esther 1_ 1-22, 1: 13-22 2: 1-23, 3: 1-11
Ahasuerus' feast These events took place during the days of Ahasuerus, who ruled 127 provinces from India to Cush. In those days King Ahasuerus reigned from his royal throne in the fortress of Susa.
Vashti's rebellion The king requests the presence of his queen to show off her beauty but she refuses is command and the king becomes furious.
Her dethronement So the king consulted the wise men to know what to do with the queen. The king asked, According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey King Ahasuerus command that was delivered by the eunuchs?
And so Queen Vashti lost her royal position as Queen.
New queen sought The orders were... "Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king., Let the king appoint commissioners in each province of the kingdom.
Esther brought to Shushan Mordecai was the legal guardian of his cousins Hadassah (that is, Esther) because she didn't have a father or mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was extremely good-looking. When her father and mother died, Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter,
Esther was taken to the palace and placed under the care of Hegai, who was in charge of the women.. The young woman pleased him and gained his favour so that is accelerated the process of the beauty treatments and the special diet that she received. He assigned seven hand picked female servants to her from the palace and transferred her and her servants to the harem's best quarters.
Esther did not reveal her ethnic background or her birthplace, because Mordecai had ordered her not to.
Esther made queen Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus in the royal palace in the tenth month, the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. The king love Esther more than all the other woman She won more favour and approval from him than did any of the other virgins. He placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.
Feast in honour of Esther The king held a great banquet for all his officials and staff. It was Esther's banquet. He freed his province from tax payments ad gave gifts worthy of the king's bounty.
Mordecal saves the king's life During those days while Mordecai was sitting at the King's Gate, Bighan and Teresh, two eunuchs who guarded the king's entrance, became infuriated and tried to assassinate King Ahasuerus. When Mordecai learned of the plot, he reported it to Queen Esther and she told the king of Mordecal's behalf. When the report was investigated and verified, both men were hanged on the gallows. This event was recorded in the court records of daily events in the king's presence.
Haman's plot He was promoted to rank and gave him a higher position than all the other officials. The entire royal staff at the King;s Gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded this to be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down to pay homage. SO when Haman saw that Mordecai was not bowing down to pay homage he was filled with rage., SO he set out to destroy all of Mordecails people, the Jews, throughout Ahasuerus kingdom.
Haman gains the king's support. The king removed his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jewish people. Then the king told Haman. 'The money and people are given to you to do with as you see fit"
Your beauty should not consist of outward things... instead. it should consist of the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quest spirit, which is very valuable in god's eyes. 1 Peter 3: 3-4
Blessings
Kathleen.
Esther 1_ 1-22, 1: 13-22 2: 1-23, 3: 1-11
Ahasuerus' feast These events took place during the days of Ahasuerus, who ruled 127 provinces from India to Cush. In those days King Ahasuerus reigned from his royal throne in the fortress of Susa.
Vashti's rebellion The king requests the presence of his queen to show off her beauty but she refuses is command and the king becomes furious.
Her dethronement So the king consulted the wise men to know what to do with the queen. The king asked, According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey King Ahasuerus command that was delivered by the eunuchs?
And so Queen Vashti lost her royal position as Queen.
New queen sought The orders were... "Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king., Let the king appoint commissioners in each province of the kingdom.
Esther brought to Shushan Mordecai was the legal guardian of his cousins Hadassah (that is, Esther) because she didn't have a father or mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was extremely good-looking. When her father and mother died, Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter,
Esther was taken to the palace and placed under the care of Hegai, who was in charge of the women.. The young woman pleased him and gained his favour so that is accelerated the process of the beauty treatments and the special diet that she received. He assigned seven hand picked female servants to her from the palace and transferred her and her servants to the harem's best quarters.
Esther did not reveal her ethnic background or her birthplace, because Mordecai had ordered her not to.
Esther made queen Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus in the royal palace in the tenth month, the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. The king love Esther more than all the other woman She won more favour and approval from him than did any of the other virgins. He placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.
Feast in honour of Esther The king held a great banquet for all his officials and staff. It was Esther's banquet. He freed his province from tax payments ad gave gifts worthy of the king's bounty.
Mordecal saves the king's life During those days while Mordecai was sitting at the King's Gate, Bighan and Teresh, two eunuchs who guarded the king's entrance, became infuriated and tried to assassinate King Ahasuerus. When Mordecai learned of the plot, he reported it to Queen Esther and she told the king of Mordecal's behalf. When the report was investigated and verified, both men were hanged on the gallows. This event was recorded in the court records of daily events in the king's presence.
Haman's plot He was promoted to rank and gave him a higher position than all the other officials. The entire royal staff at the King;s Gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded this to be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down to pay homage. SO when Haman saw that Mordecai was not bowing down to pay homage he was filled with rage., SO he set out to destroy all of Mordecails people, the Jews, throughout Ahasuerus kingdom.
Haman gains the king's support. The king removed his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jewish people. Then the king told Haman. 'The money and people are given to you to do with as you see fit"
Your beauty should not consist of outward things... instead. it should consist of the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quest spirit, which is very valuable in god's eyes. 1 Peter 3: 3-4
Blessings
Kathleen.
261 - Israel's deliveranca
Kathleen's thoughts.
Zechariah 10: 1-12, 11:1-17, 12: 1-14, 13: 1-9, 14: 1-21
The Lord promises deliverance
Destruction to come
The two shepherds
Punishment of Israel's enemies
Israel's repentance and sorrow
Israel's cleansing
The command to kill God's shepherd
Jerusalem and the nations
Israel's restoration
For thought and contemplation
Men have predicted that history will reach its climax through a nuclear holocaust. God has determined that it will reach its climax at the return of His Son. Whom do you believe - men or God?
Keep Zechariah 14: 1-9 before you, and it will hold you fast in the midst of the greatest threat of world destruction.
Zechariah 14
Then the Lord will go out to fight against those nations as He fights on a day of battle. On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. The Mount of Olives will be split in half from east to west, forming a huge valley, so that half the mountain will move to the north and half to the south. I have stood on Mount Olives looking down at Jerusalem a magnificent sight and stood in awe of the city of David. You will flee by My mountain valley, for the valley of the mountains will extend to Azal. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come and all the holy ones with Him.
On that day there will be no light; the sunlight and moonlight will diminish. It will be a day known only to Yahweh, without day or night, but there will be light at evening.
On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it toward the eastern sea and the other half toward the western sea, in summer and winter alike. On that day Yahweh will become King over all the earth. Yahweh alone. and His name alone. All the land from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem will be changed into a plain. But Jerusalem will be raised up and will remain on its site from the Benjamin Gate to the place of the First Gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the royal wine presses. People will live there, and never again will there be a curse of destruction. So Jerusalem will dwell in security.
1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout with the archangel's voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
Blessings
Kathleen.
Zechariah 10: 1-12, 11:1-17, 12: 1-14, 13: 1-9, 14: 1-21
The Lord promises deliverance
Destruction to come
The two shepherds
Punishment of Israel's enemies
Israel's repentance and sorrow
Israel's cleansing
The command to kill God's shepherd
Jerusalem and the nations
Israel's restoration
For thought and contemplation
Men have predicted that history will reach its climax through a nuclear holocaust. God has determined that it will reach its climax at the return of His Son. Whom do you believe - men or God?
Keep Zechariah 14: 1-9 before you, and it will hold you fast in the midst of the greatest threat of world destruction.
Zechariah 14
Then the Lord will go out to fight against those nations as He fights on a day of battle. On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. The Mount of Olives will be split in half from east to west, forming a huge valley, so that half the mountain will move to the north and half to the south. I have stood on Mount Olives looking down at Jerusalem a magnificent sight and stood in awe of the city of David. You will flee by My mountain valley, for the valley of the mountains will extend to Azal. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come and all the holy ones with Him.
On that day there will be no light; the sunlight and moonlight will diminish. It will be a day known only to Yahweh, without day or night, but there will be light at evening.
On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it toward the eastern sea and the other half toward the western sea, in summer and winter alike. On that day Yahweh will become King over all the earth. Yahweh alone. and His name alone. All the land from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem will be changed into a plain. But Jerusalem will be raised up and will remain on its site from the Benjamin Gate to the place of the First Gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the royal wine presses. People will live there, and never again will there be a curse of destruction. So Jerusalem will dwell in security.
1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout with the archangel's voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
Blessings
Kathleen.
September 19, 2012
260 - The completion of the Temple.
Kathleen's thoughts
Zechariah 8: 16-23, 9: 1-17
Ezra 6:22
Psalm 146: 1-10, 111: 1-10, 112: 1-10,
The Lord promises to restore Israel These are the things
you must do. Speak truth to one another, render honest and peaceful judgements
in your gates. Do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbour, and do
not love perjury, for I hate all this - The Lord declares.
TEMPLE COMPLETED 516BC
The Temple is completed The house was completed on the third
day of the month of Adar in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius
.
Dedication of the Temple
The Passover celebration The exiles observed the Passover on the
fourteenth day of the first month.
They observed the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days with joy,
because the Lord had made them joyful having changed the Assyrian King's
attitude toward them, so that he supported them in the work on the house of the
God of Israel.
THE RESTORATION 516-400BC
In praise of God the Saviour Psalms 146: 1-10 Hallelujah! My
soul, praise the Lord. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing to the
Lord as long as I live.
In praise of the Lord Psalm 111: 10-19 The works of His
hands are truth and justice all His instructions are trustworthy. 'His name is
holy and awe inspiring,
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His
instructions have a good insight. His praise endures forever.
The happiness of a good person Psalm 112: 1-10Hallelujah! Happy
is the man who fears the Lord, taking great delight in His commandments. His
descendants will be powerful in the land; the generation of the upright will be
blessed.
In praise of the Lord's goodness Psalm 113: 1-9
hallelujah! Give praise, servants of the Lord; praise the name of the Lord. Let
the name of the Lord be praised both now and forever. From the rising of the
sun to its setting, let the name of the Lord be praised.
A man saved from death praises God Psalm 116: 1-19
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is compassionate.
In praise of the Lord Praise the Lord, all nations! Glorify
Him, all peoples! For great is His faithful love to us; the Lord's faithfulness
endures forever
Hallelujah!
Judgment of Neighbouring cities
A divine Deliverer. Rejoice greatly Daughter Zion! Shout in
triumph, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and
riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
For thought and contemplation
The Temple project is at last complete a full twenty three years after
it was begun. God's plans and purposes may be hindered or postponed, but they will
ultimately be fulfilled. Has there been a hindering of the divine purpose in
your life!? Then hold on = the day of its fulfilment will most certainly come.
Phil. 1: 6
I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it
onto completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Blessings
Kathleen.
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