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The current & past - Through the Bible blog Bible Study in PDF format updated weekly.Source: Basic Christian |
The current & past - Through the Bible blog Bible Study online updated weekly.Source: Basic Christian |
The Bible study is dedicated in the name of Jesus, Christ, God, Son, and Savior. May the Lord Jesus Christ be honored by our devotions, our study and in our fellowship. May all the people be blessed and grow in the grace and knowledge of the love and presence of God our creator and our savior. Amen!Source: Basic Christian |
HAGGAI: Haggai has been described as a man with a single ambition. He preached to a poor, discouraged, and frightened people. He attributed their lack of success in all areas of their national life to the single fact of their neglect of the temple. In a bold and authoritative manner, he pleaded for the people to rebuild the temple. Haggai and Zechariah are credited with getting the temple completed c. 516 BC (Ezra 6:14-15). The dates of Haggai's ministry which is covered in the book is only about four months in the year 520 BC (1:1; 2:1; 2:10; 2:20). The temple foundation had been laid almost immediately after the exiles returned from Babylon. But then about sixteen years intervened before the work resumed. It took the powerful exhortation of Haggai and Zechariah to motivate Zerubbabel and Jeshua to arise and begin to rebuilt the house of God. -- ZECHARIAH: Zechariah was born and reared in Babylon and was among the group that returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel (Neh. 12:1,4,16). He was evidently younger than Haggai and his recorded ministry continued a year or so beyond the record of Haggai. Under Haggai and Zechariah's preaching the people were stirred to again take up the rebuilding of the temple. While Haggai rebuked and admonished, Zechariah encouraged and looked to brighter days. Their work was fully complementary and compatible. The book of Zechariah contains many visions and a great deal of apocalyptic symbolism. It is the longest and the most difficult of all the Minor Prophets. Message of Zechariah: This book is also divided into four sections. 1. There is a call for repentance (1:1-6). 2. There is a series of [nine] night visions about the future of the people of God and His Kingdom. 3. There is a question about fasting raised (7:1-3), and the point is that fasting is useless without obedience (7:4-7). The Lord's expectations of the people are stated (7:8-8:23). 4. The people of God are reassured about the future. The heathen nations will fall (9:1-7), and the Messiah will appear (9:8-11:17). Salvation will be established in spiritual Israel, the church (12:1-14:21). -- MALACHI: Malachi was the last writing prophet to serve God under the Law of Moses. The material within the book parallels the situation described in Nehemiah 13. Nehemiah had served as governor during the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and a few years following. He had returned to Persia to serve the king and in chapter 13 he has returned to serve as governor a second time. The sins dealt with in Malachi are those found in Nehemiah 13 and thus Malachi may be dated about 433 BC. Background: The priests were lax and wicked, offerings were being neglected, divorce was common, and justice was being perverted. Malachi's intense love for God and the people of God moved him to speak with great urgency in the streets and market places. Malachi uses a "question-answer" method of preaching. Malachi challenged the apathy and disloyalty of the people. Poverty and hard times had come. The people were questioning the love of God because of their difficulties and the prophet placed the blame where it really belonged. It was the sin of the people--not the lack of divine love--which was at the root of the problems (cf. Isa. 59:1-2). Outline of Malachi: The book opens with an affirmation of the love of God for his people (1:1-5) and shows how that love has been spurned (1:6-2:9). A specific rebuke of the people of Malachi's day for their widespread profanation of marriage is given (2:10-16). Finally, the prophet looks forward to the coming of the Messiah.Source: Basic Christian |
There are two references to Haggai in the Bible outside of his own book: Ezra 5:1 and 6:14. Haggai's name is often linked with Zechariah (there may even be an allusion to him in Zechariah 8:9), since Zechariah was prophesying about the same time in Judah and Jerusalem. He proclaimed the word of God over a five month period in 520 BC. How he came to be in Jerusalem, whether he was an exile or if he had already been there, is unknown. In his book and in Ezra he is referred to as "prophet. He is also called the "Angel of the LORD" -- that is, the messenger of Yahweh, in Haggai 1:13. It is possible to date Haggai's prophesies very exactly: 1. The first day of the sixth month of the second year of Darius I (1:1), which would be August 29, 520 BC. 2. The twenty-fourth day of the sixth month of the second year of Darius I, when they resumed work on the second temple (1:15a), which would be September 21, 520 BC. 3. The twenty-first day of the seventh month of the second year of Darius I, which would be October 21, 520 BC. 4. The twenty-fourth day of the ninth month of the second year of Darius I (2:19-20), which would be December 18, 520 BC. -- By 520 BC some of the Jews had been back in Jerusalem for several years. Cyrus had conquered Babylon in 538 BC. He then issued a decree that all of Babylon's captives could return to their homes. Ezra 1-6 describes the first group of Jews to make that trip home. They came at great sacrifice, but also with high hopes; however, when they reached Jerusalem around 536 BC, there was nothing but ruins, poverty, and opposition from the Samaritans and the local population. Consequently, nothing was done about rebuilding the temple between 536 and 520 BC, when Haggai came on the scene. For more information, look at Ezra 5:13-16, where the people had been ordered to rebuild the temple, had even started, but then failed to finish. Read Ezra 1-6 for background. -- III. An Outline of Haggai: I. Yahweh's call to rebuild the temple 1:1-15. II. Yahweh's promise to restore the glory 2:1-9. III. Yahweh's blessings on a defiled people 2:10-19. IV. Yahweh makes Zerubbabel his signet ring 2:20-23.Source: Basic Christian |
At the time of the first return from exile, the people immediately started the work of rebuilding the temple. Unfortunately, by the time the foundation was laid, the neighboring nations were frustrating the construction efforts, and then during the reign of Artaxerxes they were able to convince the Persian king to call a complete stop to the efforts. The opposition of their neighbors at the time halted the progress, and since then no more work had been done. Apart from the physical impediment to construction, this would also have had an effect on attitudes of the constructors. It would have been very difficult for them, being enthusiastic with the best of intentions, but being frustrated by the heathen about them. Presumably, after this setback, the people saw that the seventy years of desolations was not fulfilled and they were content to wait. The real problem was that they waited longer than necessary before attempting to rebuild again. They had originally become disillusioned because they had been unable to do the work of God in rebuilding the temple. This disillusionment prevented them from beginning construction when the time was right. There appears to be a common theme through scripture that enthusiasm needs to be sustained. On many occasions people have had to wait before their commitment is tested. It is often necessary to have a lasting enthusiasm that is strong enough to overcome delays and difficulties. One example of this is Abraham. He was offered the promises reasonably early in his life, but it wasn't until much later that he was given the son through which the promises would be carried out. Another example is in King David. After the initial anointing and then the defeat of Goliath, it was a long, hard struggle before he finally gained control of the throne of Israel. During the time he was being pursued by Saul, it would have been very tempting for him to give up the ways of God. Consider also the life of Joshua. In his youth he was given the dreams showing his future importance, but it was a long time after that before he saw success. In the meantime he had to endure slavery, imprisonment and the threat of death. In the garden of Gethsemane, Peter was ready to cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest, but shortly later he denied even any association with Jesus. The excitement of the original situation had provoked him to fight for Jesus regardless of the cost, but over the subsequent hours his temperament changed. By the morning he was no longer a fighter, but instead chose denial. Regardless of whether Peter was right in his actions or not, It shows that there is a tendency for enthusiasm to degrade with time. ... Consider Your Ways: The Hebrew phrase that is translated "consider" in Haggai is quite rare in the scripture. It is "suwm (soom) lebab (lay-bawb')", which means "to set/make" your "heart / determination / thinking" but with emphasis is if a command under fear. Apart from Haggai, the closest usage of this phrase is in Deuteronomy where Moses, at the end of his life, urges the people of Israel to consider the words of the law. ... The length of time between the two writings indicates that the quotation of the same phrase is more than just a linguistic coincidence. It is as though Haggai is referring back to this passage to remind the people where they came from and the hope they could have. Those words in Deuteronomy were meant for the Israelites when they first came into the land [from captivity in Egypt]. ... The warning under Joshua the son of Nun was just as applicable under Joshua the son of Josedech. (the high priest during the return). Similarly, the life of Joshua the son of God was a message to "consider your ways." Note: Joshua the Son of God is the man we know as Jesus. Jesus is the English translation of the Greek translation of his original Hebrew name. The Hebrew name is usually directly translated as Joshua, as in the Son of Nun. Just as people have ignored the warnings from the Joshua of old, so it is possible to ignore the message of Jesus. ... While the peoples' hearts had not been perfect, within three weeks of the original prophecy they had obeyed the voice of God and considered their ways. In response to this, God added to their strength to assure them of success.Source: Basic Christian |
In gratitude to God for their safety and wellbeing the Jewish Feast of Purim is established: Esther 9:16-23 But the other Jews that were in the King's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood [in self-defense] for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey [took no loot], On the thirteenth day [the day of the original plot against the Jews] of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof; and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the *fourteenth day of the month Adar [initiating the Jewish Feast of Purim] a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another. And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; ... Esther 10:3 For Mordecai the Jew was next unto King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.Source: Basic Christian |
At Esther’s banquet for the King the King grants her request and saves her and her Jewish people: Esther 7:1-7 So the King and Haman came to banquet with Esther the Queen. And the King said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, Queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the Kingdom. Then Esther the Queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O King, and if it please the King, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the King's damage. Then the King Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the Queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the King and the Queen. And the King arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the Queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the King. ... Esther 7:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the King's wrath pacified.Source: Basic Christian |
Esther 4:5-17 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the King's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the King's gate. And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the King's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the King, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; All the King's servants, and the people of the King's provinces, ***do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the King into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the King shall hold out the golden scepter [rod of authority], that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the King these thirty days. And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. **Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, **Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the King's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and **who knoweth whether thou art come to the Kingdom for such a time as this? Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast [and pray] ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the King, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. - Note: This extreamly important verse tells us how to gain enterance to the King even for the Queen "do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the King into the inner court, who is not called, there is *one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the King shall hold out the golden *sceptre, that he may live." Know for certain the Jesus Christ is the King of the Universe and that to approach His presence [after death] without having touched His scepter [symbol of authority] is to be immediately put to [eternal] death, it is a law of the universe (James 2:8) more certain than the laws of nature [gravity, electricity, etc]. - Also Note: The scepter of Jesus Christ, that Jesus Christ is holding out freely to all mankind is the scepter of His cross (Colossians 1:20). Touch the cross of Jesus Christ in recognition of His power, authority and Kingdom (Luke 23:42-43) and Jesus Christ will give you entrance to enter into His eternal Kingdom.Source: Basic Christian |
A Royal Decree is mistakenly sent out to Kill all of the Jews: Esther 3:7-15 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur [a type of dice], that is, the lot [a type of divination, craft], before Haman from day to day [testing the spirits], and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. And Haman [spiritually influenced] said unto King Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy Kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the King's laws: therefore it is not for the King's profit to suffer them. If it please the King, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the King's treasuries. And the King took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. And the King said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee [the gold was to go to the King], the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. Then were the King's scribes called [by Haman after more divination] on the *thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the King's lieutenants, and to the Governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of King Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the King's ring. And the letters were sent by posts into all the King's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. The posts went out, being hastened by the King's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. *And the King and Haman sat down to drink; **but the city Shushan was perplexed.Source: Basic Christian |
Mordecai and Esther are cousins of the same generation the 3rd generation born in cpativity in Babylon: Esther 2:5-8 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; [Kish] Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah King of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon had carried away [in the 1st captivity with Daniel]. And he brought up Hadassah [Esther], that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. So it came to pass, when the King's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the King's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. ... Esther 2:16-23 So Esther was taken unto King Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. And the King loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the King made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the King. And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the King's gate. Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him. In those days, while Mordecai sat in the King's gate, two of the King's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the King Ahasuerus. And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the King thereof in Mordecai's name. And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the King.Source: Basic Christian |
Queen Vashti is sent away for refusing to answer the King's call: Esther 1:10-19 On the seventh day, when the heart of the King was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the King, To bring Vashti the Queen before the King with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. But the Queen Vashti refused to come at the King's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the King very wroth, and his anger burned in him. Then the King said to the wise men, which knew the times, for so was the King's manner toward all that knew law and judgment: And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the King's face, and which sat the first in the Kingdom; What shall we do unto the Queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the King Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? And Memucan answered before the King and the princes, Vashti the Queen hath not done wrong to the King only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus. For this deed of the Queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the Queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the King's princes, which have heard of the deed of the Queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. If it please the King, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the King give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.Source: Basic Christian |
Of the seven Global Gentile Kingdoms six have already been completed and only the 7th and final Antichrist (Satan incarnate) Kingdom remains to be established here on earth as one of the seven secular Gentile Global Kingdoms. The seventh Global Gentile Kingdom is then to be replaced by the 8th Kingdom the coming Righteous Kingdom of Jesus Christ (Daniel 2:34-35). -- The seven original Gentile Kingdoms each have a unique, dominate characteristic element and theme to each individual Kingdom. 1. Babel - the first and original 'one world government' was headed by the King Nimrod and the primary focus and attribute was 'spiritualism' [counterfeit religion, building a Tower (Temple) that reached into heaven, the beginnings of false god worship in primarily in the various Tammuz (Horus, Ra, Osiris) and Semiramis (Isis, Ishtar, Diana)] myths and legends. 2. Egypt headed by the Pharaoh's was primarily an 'accommodating,' comfort and very social society for its own people, even the mummies were equipped with food and provisions in an attempt to make them comfortable in the afterlife. 3. Babylon (modern Iraq) was headed by King Nebuchadnezzar with 'enchantments,' magic and entertainment being the primary focus of Babylon (i.e. Disneyland). The Kingdom of Persia (modern Iran) headed by King Cyrus was the most 'dignified' of all the Kingdoms with personal dignity being the most noble aspect in ancient Persian and also still in modern Iran as well and also in the modern European country and city of Paris/France a nation highly influenced by ancient Persian culture. The European nation of Greece at the leading of King Alexander [Alexander the Great] then defeated Persia and Greece and with its 'thought provoking intellect' then ruled Jerusalem and the known world. The Roman empire defeated the Greek empire and the Caesars of Rome, characterized by 'efficiency' (Roman roads and slavery) became the sixth and final Global Gentile Kingdom to rule over Jerusalem until the seventh and final Gentile Global Kingdom, the coming Kingdom of Antichrist characterized by 'betrayal and deceit' [practiced against its own people - the seventh Kingdom (Daniel 7:19) is 'diverse' different from the previous six Kingdoms - the seventh Kingdom instead of protecting its own people attacks its own people; exploited workers, fixing higher prices, sexual slavery, false flag operations, abortion, toxic chemicals, tainted food and medicine, etc.] that will rebuild in some form out of the ancient Roman Empire and will control for the last time and only for a short time, the entire globe prior to the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His permanent Kingdom the 8th Global Kingdom the Righteous Kingdom of God with mankind here on earth.Source: Basic Christian |
Esther intervened on behalf of her fellow Jews and won the favor of the King. But a decree could not be broken so another one cancelled the first and the Jews were able to defend themselves against their enemies. God's people are to be a witness wherever they are placed. Mordecai introduced the Feast of Purim in order to celebrate and commemorate the deliverance of the Jews from the hand of Haman. Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant who intercedes on behalf of His people. The Lord's Supper is the New Testament Feast of Purim, a celebration of deliverance and salvation.Source: Basic Christian |
HISTORICITY: A. Although Esther 2:5-7 has been considered a problem in that it was thought to affirm that Mordecai was carried into captivity in 597 and the story of Esther occurred 124 years later; but it is better understood that Kish was the one taken into captivity and that Mordecai was born within Persia. B. Some have objected that Amestris was a powerful wife of Ahasuerus, and her name cannot be connected with either Vashti's or Esther's name: 1. This may be explained by the fact that Ahasuerus had a large harem from which he may have changed wives several times. 2. This may be explained by the fact that it was not uncommon for nobles to have several names in those days (e.g., Xerxes/Ahasuerus). C. Some have objected to Xerxes sending decrees in different languages, but this may have well be due the tolerance of the Persians towards those people whom they had conquered. D. Some have objected to the number of people who were killed on the day of Purim: 1. But large massacres occurred before this time in the Ancient Near East. 2. When 75,000 is extended into the many cities of the Persian empire, it is not implausible. 3. The background of the book of Esther is so full of accurate Persian detail that it may be assumed that this number is also true. E. Some have objected that the feast of Purim is not to be identified with the "lot" but with other systems of celebration like the Persian spring festival, the Babylonian feast, or the Greek pithoigia or "cask-opening" season marked by drinking and giving gifts, *but it has been demonstrated that the term for Purim comes from the Assyrian word puru meaning a "die" or "lot" describing the Persian method of throwing dice which was similar to the Jewish practice of "casting lots". F. This work [Book of Esther] is a theological [words of God] treatise of history in narrative form.Source: Basic Christian |
They advised him to banish Queen Vashti from his presence and find a new queen to replace her, and he agreed. That very day he issued the decree deposing Vashti, vowing never to see her again. In the Hebrew text describing this event the first hidden [acrostic] appearance of God's name [YHWH] appears. The first letters of the Hebrew words for "all the women will respect" in what is now called verse 20 of chapter 1 form the acrostic acronym YHVH [YHWH in English], the initials of God's Name. There are a total of four such appearances. This one is spoken about the queen. The next will be spoken by the queen (5:4) and like it is made up of first letters. In both cases where the acronym consists of first letters the initial facts of an event are being revealed. The third one will be spoken about Haman, (5:13) and the fourth by Haman (7:7). These two are made up of the last letters of the Hebrew words in the respective passages, and both times the final stages of events are being described. All four of these acronyms consist of the letters YHVH. The first and third acronyms are spoken by gentiles and read left to right like all languages west of Jerusalem. The second and fourth are spoken by Israelites and read right to left like all languages east of Jerusalem. There is also a fifth one (7:5) made up of last letters but in reverse order, and in this one the letters used are EHVH, another form of the Name of God, the one He used at the burning bush and that we translate "I am". That makes five concealed appearances of God's name. Five is the number of grace and indeed my story is a beautiful illustration of the Grace of God, **concealed in the Old Testament, but revealed in the New.Source: Basic Christian |
Based on the best-selling novel Hadassah: One Night With The King by Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen, this dramatic big-screen adaptation chronicles a young woman's rise from peasant to princess, her courageous role in the redemption of her people from destruction and death, and her winning of the love of the most powerful man in the kingdom -- by seeking his heart rather than the riches of his kingdom.Source: Basic Christian |
The Bible's book of Nehemiah concludes: Nehemiah 13:26-31 Did not Solomon King of Israel sin by these things? yet among many Nations was there no King like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him King over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. Shall we then hearken [listen] unto you [current Priesthood and leadership] to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives? And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the High Priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me. Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the Priesthood, and the Covenant of the Priesthood, and of the Levites. Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the Priests and the Levites, every one in his business; And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits [tithes]. Remember me, O my God, for good.Source: Basic Christian |
Nehemiah 9:38 And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal [vow] unto it. ... Nehemiah 11:1 And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the Holy City, and nine parts to dwell in other cities. And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. - Note: After the return from Babylon there were not enough survivors from Jerusalem to begin to even fill the city so Jews from the countryside had to be relocated into Jerusalem in order to populate the city.Source: Basic Christian |
Ezra begins to teach the people for the first time from the Hebrew O.T. Bible: Nehemiah 8:4-12 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; for he was above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the Book in the Law of God distinctly [clearly], and gave the sense [the meaning], and caused [taught] them to understand the [Bible] reading. And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the Priest the Scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, *This day is holy unto the LORD your God; *mourn not, nor weep. *For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law [for the first time]. Then he said unto them, Go your way, *eat the fat, and *drink the sweet [wine], and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: *neither be ye sorry; **for the joy of the LORD is your strength. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved (Romans 8:1). And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth [joy], ***because they had understood the Words [of scripture] that were declared unto them. - Note: This is an Amazing, Amazing sequence of Bible passages. Earlier Ezra (Ezra 9:3) had been very upset and very hard on the people however Ezra seemed to realize that Ezra as a Scribe he had the opportunity to read God's word but the people had not yet heard or read God's word and having not heard the Word of God it was impossible for them to obey the Words of God. Ezra then set forth to openly and publically read and teach the Word of God to all the people of Israel and when the people heard the actual Word of God they were deeply repentant and greatly moved and began to cry. Ezra understanding the concept of (Romans 8:1) that there is no condemnation from God for those who seek after God then declared to the people that as they sought the Lord the day is holy and therefore there was no condemnation [even though the people realized they fell so short of what God wanted] but rather to rejoice and to "eat the fat." Now the fat in a Levitical Temple offering was not to be eaten [fat Biblically represents gossip and worry and the worry (fat) was to be given to God to deal with - burnt on the Alter] and Ezra seems to be making a point that animal sacrifices were to be done Only on the Temple Alter [people had been sacrificing on alters on hills] and therefore the alters upon hills were to come down and they were to eat of the fat, as a non-temple everyday meal sacrifice. Ezra is credited with having removed the alters from throughout Israel and replacing the alters [that were not granted by God] with the Synagogues and the teaching and community culture of the Synagogues. - Also Note: When Jesus was on earth He spent much time going both into the Synagogues of Israel and into the Temple in Jerusalem validating both the Synagogue and the Temple as a valid representation of what God wanted Israel to know about Himself and in how God wanted Israel to worship Him. In the passion of the times both the Synagogue Priests and the Temple Priests momentarily rejected Jesus' authority on earth though history has not yet concluded and at the conclusion of history Jesus' authority will be undisputed.Source: Basic Christian |
The Wall of Jerusalem has been completed but the people and the city are not yet in a stable enough position to dedicate the wall and call it a completed work of God: Nehemiah 7:1-6 Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed, That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house. Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded. And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein, These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city ...Source: Basic Christian |
Nehemiah has to stop his work on the physical wall around Jerusalem in order to ensure that the people of Israel and Jerusalem have a society and customs worth of the protection and confinement of a wall: Nehemiah 5:7-12 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury [profiting in times of difficulty]. **Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.Source: Basic Christian |
During a time of much distress and persecution in Jerusalem the Wall of Jerusalem was still able to be rebuilt: Nehemiah 4:1-3 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall. ... Nehemiah 4:6-9 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. ... Nehemiah 4:21-23 So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared. 22 Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day. 23 So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.Source: Basic Christian |
Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem and during the night inspects the still crumbled Wall of Jerusalem: Nehemiah 2:9-18 Then I came to the [Gentile] Governors beyond the river, and gave them the King's letters. Now the King had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. When [the Gentiles] 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. **So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days. And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon. **And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire. Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the King's [Solomon's] pool: but there was no place [the path was blocked by rubble] for the beast [donkey] that was under me to pass. Then went I up in the night by the brook [Cedron], and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned. And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the Priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work. **Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the King's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. - Note: It's though that a primary reason that Nehemiah was so stealth about his inspection of the wall was because he was also inspecting the location of where the Ark of the Covenant was hidden. Nehemiah had a letter from the King to rebuild the wall and the wall was going to get rebuilt regardless of any objections or opposition that anyone might have had so there was no real reason to inspect only the wall by night. Also Note: According to the eyewitness accounts of Ron Wyatt the Ark of the Covenant is indeed hidden in an area of caves and tunnels that are called ' Zedekiah's Cave'. keep in mind that Zedekiah's cave was an area [though called Solomon's Quarry] it was carved out by the Romans starting in 19 B.C. so the Ark of the Covenant would not have been hidden in that last location until very close to 70 A.D. and the end of Roman stone cutting in the cave - in fact there are still partially cut stones in the cave as work was abruptly stopped about 68-70 A.D. during the Jewish revolt against Rome in Israel. So the Ark of the Covenant of Israel was available and in use in Jerusalem and in the Temple up until the destruction of Jerusalem and the 2nd Temple in 70 A.D.Source: Basic Christian |
Nehemiah says a prayer before first enquiring of the King requesting to go to Jerusalem to assist his Jewish brethren in Israel [Nehemiah does not permanently go to Jerusalem he has to return after 11 years in Jerusalem and report back to the King in Persia then he returns for a few more years back to Jerusalem then goes back to Persia for a time, etc.]: Nehemiah 1:5-11 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: 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. We have dealt very corruptly against Thee, and have not kept The Commandments [10 Commandments], nor The Statutes, nor the Judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the Nations: 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 [Jerusalem] that I have chosen to set My Name there. Now these are Thy Servants and Thy People, *whom Thou hast **redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand [on the night of Passover in Egypt (Exodus 6:6, Exodus 13:14-15)]. 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.Source: Basic Christian |
The first order of business upon arrival in Jerusalem at night was to examine and inspect the damaged walls. They immediately began construction and fortification which stirred up the suspicions of the people surrounding Jerusalem. They viewed it as rebellion and began plotting and scheming against the work (Nehemiah 2:20). Numerous schemes were set up to try and ensnare Nehemiah without success. The workers took turns building and watching over the tower. From this incident comes the beautiful symbol of the sword and trowel. Nehemiah addressed the problem of financing the project with grace and mercy by cancelling all debts and not imposing heavy taxes thus easing the burden upon the poor. Nehemiah 5 Yet in spite of all the opposition the wall was built in only fifty two days. Upon completion the people celebrated the festivals of the seventh month, the feast of trumpets, day of atonement and feast of tabernacles, all under Ezra's leadership. Nehemiah began the public reading of the Law of God which convicted the people who had not realised how far short they had fallen during the Exile from God's standards. A National day of prayer and repentance was held on the twenty fourth day of the reading of the Law. The two laws which stood out over all the rest were concerning intermarriage and the keeping of the Sabbath. It was time for national celebration. Led by Ezra and Nehemiah Israel march in a procession around the top of the wall to meet at the Temple for a service of thanksgiving led by a choir and orchestra. After twelve years in Jerusalem, Nehemiah returns to report to the Persian king. 432 B.C. Several years later when he returned to Jerusalem he found that the people had fallen into their old ways. The priest Eliashib had allowed Tobiah, an Ammonite friend of Sanballat to occupy a room in the temple. Nehemiah had the temple cleansed, and reminded the people of their giving commitments under the covenant. He closed the city gates on the Sabbath so merchants could not buy or sell. Mixed marriages were condemned according to the law of God. There were now children who could not speak Hebrew only the language of the Philistines. The book ends with the words 'Remember me, O my God, for good' (Nehemiah 13:31). No matter how strong the wall, if God's people will not live according to God's law there is no protection but only judgment. Christ the fulfillment of Nehemiah also laid the foundation for the New Jerusalem with his own blood even in the face of opposition. God would sovereignly accomplish His redemptive purposes through his agents even in spite of fierce opposition.Source: Basic Christian |
Rebuilding Our Faith: Although the theme of rebuilding Jerusalem's wall is often connected with the Book of Nehemiah, we must understand that the wall is the most visible sign of the community of God's people. The wall is symbolic of their identity because by it they are protected. When we look at the Book of Nehemiah, we will find even more important tasks that must be done to rebuild the people of God. It is inadequate to be satisfied with a city that has tall skyscrapers but does not have law and order. Our society now is coming to grips with what it is like to have a form of organization but disorder in the lives of people. Nehemiah, as a prophet of old, was calling the people to reassemble before God. Each chapter was a special emphasis on a new kind of restoration. The enemies were not located just on the outside of the walls but also on the inside. It was this 'inside' culprit that before had foiled Israel. It is naive to think that restoration of the physical walls of a city is the same as true restoration. We can easily remember a time when the walls of Jerusalem were intact but the evil within the walls provoked God to tear those walls down. But we would be fools to think we can have the inner restoration before outer (virtue before godliness). The perfecting of His people must not just think it is to again live in Jerusalem and "come back to this place." God's idea is not just to get us a ticket to heaven but to truly restore us.Source: Basic Christian |
WHAT DID NEHEMIAH BUILD? Here are the things Nehemiah did in restoring the "Wall" of Jerusalem: 1. Makes an assessment. 2. Goes to the priests and officials and presents his idea and plan. 3. The entire work is divided up and the priests begin working near their homes- their own land. 4. Priests from the surrounding region come in to the city to help. (This is "helping each other.") 5. Enemies begin to mock the workers and Nehemiah. 6. Enemies come together to plot against the workers. 7. The workers begin to pray and to guard themselves day & night. 8. The workers begin to tire. 9. Warnings come of an attack from the enemy (today, this can be prophecies.) Nehemiah redistributes his forces, strengthening weak areas. 10. Nehemiah encourages the workers. Half work (evangelizing) and half guard (prayer & fasting, prostrating before the Lord.) They took their weapons everywhere, even to drink water. 11. Nehemiah comes against usury. He tells the leaders and landowners to walk in fear of the Lord. They forgive debts to borrowers and repay collected interest. Nehemiah required commitments from the nobles and priests to not do this. 12. Nehemiah does not take an official allowance from those who were already heavily burdened. He funds himself, and even gives money to others. 13. The enemy's plot to murder Nehemiah fails, and so he generates false rumors. 14. Work is completed, but must be preserved. Nehemiah sets sentries over the city and leaders to guard their homes. 15. The law of God is carefully read and explained to everyone. Then they celebrate God. 16. The people confess their sins, fast, and humble themselves. 17. The people pray and thank God, proclaiming all the good things He has done. They remember the history of the Hebrews' walk with God.Source: Basic Christian |
WHAT DID NEHEMIAH BUILD? Next, Nehemiah rebuilds the real wall that protects Jerusalem. Ezekiel 22:30: "I looked for somebody that might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one [Until Jesus Christ stood in the Gap for all humanity (Revelation 5:9) and Jesus Christ established and built His Wall of Righteousness in His Christian Church (Revelation 19:8)]." Nehemiah Chapter 13: 1. Ammonites and Moabites are thrown out. Those who follow after others who are against God are thrown out. 2. Tobiah thrown out. Remove from places of honor those which are against the church but are within the church. These are so common place you will overlook them before you will realize they are separate from Christ. 3. Restores apportion for Levites. Give according to Scripture. 4. Assigns positions of responsibility. 5. Restored the Sabbath. 6. Restored the idea of pure marriage. Marry who God selects for you to marry. Use no other system of selection. 7. Exiles political unions from the priesthood. This exonerates the Lord by declaring He is not guilty of deceit by not trusting in the Power of God. The Lord does not need to form alliances with the forces of the world system.Source: Basic Christian |
This message, featuring Teaching Pastor John Schmidt, introduces us to Nehemiah, and was used to start a sermon series looking at Nehemiah's leadership skills.Source: Basic Christian |
Note: This is some great amateur video footage and much thanks go to the people involved in providing it [don't wait for CNN to provide this material to the public] - The video is shot below ground (because the really old archeology stuff is now underground and needs to be either excavated or tunneled into) the video primarily shows three things. - 1. A Tunnel that was a part of the complex tunnel system of ancient Israel and of most ancient cities (it's thought there was a 25 mile tunnel going all the way from Jerusalem to Jericho). - 2. The location where the stones were cut (quarried) from and then used by Herod to expand the Temple and to build the retaining walls (i.e. the modern Wailing Wall) and many of his other projects. - 3. When Herod expanded the Temple in 19 B.C. he pushed dirt out and covered many areas over with dirt to make more room for a larger Temple area on the Temple hill and during Herod's expansion project part of Nehemiah's Wall was covered over with dirt and the video shows some amazing footage of a remaining part the original wall [now underground] that was built or rebuilt with the supervision of Nehemiah. -- Also Note: The myth perpetuated by the Knight Templars and via Rosslyn Chapel (and also the Lincoln Cathedral [1100 A.D.] in Lincolnshire, England) [used by Dan Brown in the book and movie The Da Vinci Code] postulates that the Holy Grail (the Communion Cup of Jesus Christ) is also hidden in the cave (near the Ark of the Covenant) in a middle-chamber (the remains Solomon's Temple chambers are now underground while Herod's Temple was basically expanded over the top of what were Solomon's Chambers - also now called Solomon's Stables). There happens to be a an ancient underground middle chamber there but this was used by Jewish Priests and not the Apostles and Disciples of Jesus and early Christianity. - What is being said in the video is that Nehemiah's concern was not just that the wall was broken down in that one area (by the Temple and by the tombs of the Kings, David and Solomon) it was because the Ark was hidden in that area and with the wall crumbled it could expose the hiding place of the Ark therefore Nehemiah inspected that area at night (Nehemiah 2:11-17). Then with the wall rebuilt the Priests would have the safety to bring the Ark back into the Temple knowing that with the covering and protection of the wall they could again hide the Ark back in a cave-chamber with only a few moments notice. The Ark of the Covenant was probably first hidden away in the days of Isaiah during the attack on Jerusalem by the Assyrians and the Ark had been at times either hidden or within the Temple where it belonged up until and including the days of Jesus Christ and since 70 A.D. the Ark has remained hidden in the nearby system of caves and caverns.Source: Basic Christian |
An on-site look at how archeology in Israel is bringing the Bible to life.Source: Basic Christian |
Last year, Ken Ham, president of Answers in Genesis, delivered some very sobering statistics during our first-ever live video webcast and revealed the reasons behind the collapse of Christianity in the Western world. Now that you know the causes of the collapse, join Ken for The State of the Nation 2 to learn what we can do to call America back to the only sure foundation—biblical authority. Don't miss this free webcast. Mark your calendar for February 16 at 8:00 p.m. (EST) at www.answerslive.org. -- Can I Play This at my Church: Yes. We hope you'll consider gathering with other church groups—or entire congregations—to watch this special event. You'll likely want to play the broadcast on a large screen. To do so, come back on Tuesday, February 16, at 8 p.m. (EST) and load AnswersLive.org on the computer connected to a large screen or projector. Then click the button in the control bar to show the video in full screen. We recommend a very fast computer for this. - Can I watch this after is Webcast: Yes. Come back to AnswersLive.org after 10:00 p.m. (EST) on February 16 to watch the recorded message for free. It will also be available on DVD for purchase later.Source: Basic Christian |
The Biblical Priesthoods (Levitical or Melchizedek the 'King of Righteousness Priesthood') are both based entirely on a family relationship. A person must be born [entirely - N.T.] into the Priestly family [or have entered legally into the Priestly family - O.T.] in order to have access to God through the family and having access to God [as a family member] then having the ability to perform Priestly duties on behalf of man and on behalf of God: Ezra 10:9-17 Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain. And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do. But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing. Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us. Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them. And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month. - Note: There is a New Testament equivalent (Acts 19:13-16) to this Old Testament Priesthood purity where later Jewish Priests were attempting to minister in the name of Jesus [salvation] and were unable to do so because they were not [yet] completly in the [new] family. Being Jewish [having redemption - in a sense being half Christian, like the children in question in ancient Israel were half Jewish but ineligible to minister as Levitical Priests] and not being Christians [not having the full family Salvation of Jesus] they were unable to Minister in the Name of Jesus. -- Acts 19:13-16 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists (Priests), took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits *the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, **We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the *Priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul [a Priest of Jesus] I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.Source: Basic Christian |
The 2nd group of exiles being led by Ezra makes it safely to Jerusalem: Ezra 8:31-36 Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and **He delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way. *And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days. Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the House [Temple] of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the Priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites; By number and by weight of every one [each family group]: and all the weight was written at that time. Also *the children of those that had been carried away {this entire 2nd group of returning Jews was probably born in Babylon}, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all [12 Tribes of] Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD. And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the Governors on this side the river: and they *furthered (improved) the people, and the House of God.Source: Basic Christian |
Ezra is going to Jerusalem with a mandate from the King and with the people capable of carrying out the task of establishing Jewish Torah Law and to solidify Jewish customs and traditions within Jerusalem and throughout the area of Israel: Ezra 7:25-28 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates [officials] and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all [Jews] such as know the Laws of thy God; **and teach ye them that know them not. And whosoever will not do the Law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment. Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the House [Temple] of the LORD which is in Jerusalem: And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel [in Persia] chief men to go up with me.Source: Basic Christian |
The rebuilt Temple is completed and dedicated and the Feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread are observed: Ezra 6:14-22 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered [progressed] **through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And *they builded, and finished it, **according to the Commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes King of Persia [Artaxerxes was the son of Xerxes and grandson Darius I - though not a King at the time Artaxerxes as a clerk of records in Persia was probably who located the original rebuild edict of King Cyrus]. And this House was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the King. And the children of Israel, the Priests [teachers], and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this House of God with joy, And offered at the dedication of this House of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the Tribes of Israel. And they set the Priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the Book of Moses [Genesis - Deuteronomy]. And the Children of the Captivity kept the **Passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month. For the Priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the Passover for all the Children of the Captivity, and for their brethren the Priests, and for themselves. And the Children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat, And **kept the Feast of Unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the King of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the Jouse of God, the God of Israel.Source: Basic Christian |
The rebuilding of the Temple is again challenged by outsiders but this time the leaders of Israel do not slow the rebuilding process so yet another letter is sent to the King in Persia regarding the legality of the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem: Ezra 5:3-5 At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar- boznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall? Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building? But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius [King Darius I]: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.Source: Basic Christian |
Those who oppose the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem are able to get the work stopped for 16 years: Ezra 4:4-16 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, 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. 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. 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. Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: 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, And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnapper brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time. This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time. Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations. Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings. Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king; That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed. We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river. ... Ezra 4:23-24 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. **Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased [for 16 years] unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.Source: Basic Christian |
Work begins on building the 2nd Jewish Temple in Jerusalem: Ezra 3:7-13 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 [just like the building of Solomons Temple] to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia. **Now in the second year of their coming unto the House [Temple] 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 [at verious ages a Levite could assist in Temple work and activity but a Levite had to reach the age of 30 before actually becoming a Levit/Aaronic priest]. 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. ***And when the builders laid the foundation of the [2nd] 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 [and Psalms] of David King of Israel. 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 [Temple] of the LORD was laid. 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 [because the 2nd Temple was going to be much smaller than the 1st temple - until about 19 B.C. when the Roman, Herod would greatly expand the Temple]; and many shouted aloud for joy: 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.Source: Basic Christian |
Ezra 2:61-70 And of the children of the [Zadok] Priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted [ineligible], put from the Priesthood. And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy [Priesthood] things [foods], till there stood up a Priest with *Urim and with *Thummim [the Priests usually not directly being a Prophet used the stones to discern the will of God]. **The whole [first returning] congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore [42,360], Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women. Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five; Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty. And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the House of the LORD [then in ruins] which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the House of God to set it up [rebuild] in His place: They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred Priests garments. So the Priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims [servants], dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.Source: Basic Christian |
Ezra 1:5-11 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered. Also Cyrus the King brought forth the vessels [Temple cups and bowls] of the House of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar [King of Babylon the 3rd Kingdom of the world - Revelation 17:10] had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods; Even those did Cyrus King of Persia [Persian defeated Babylon - In 539 B.C. Cyrus invaded Babylonia - on the 16th day of Tammuz, two days after the capture of Sippara, "the soldiers of Cyrus entered Babylon without fighting" - Cyrus did not arrive until the 3rd of Marchesvan (October)] bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar [probably the Babylonian or Persian name of Zerubbabel], the Prince (a Royalty) of Judah. And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives, Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand. All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem [Zerubbabel led the first of three main returens from Babylon back to Jerusalem]. - Note: Zerubbabel the grandson of Jewish King Jehoiachin he became the Governor of Jerusalem at the return to Jerusalem , Israel was no longer permitted to have a King of its own. Zerubbabel led the first band of Jews, numbering 42,360, who returned from the Babylonian Captivity in the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia in 538 BC. Zerubbabel also laid the foundation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem the next year [the second year of their return to Jerusalem (Ezra 3:8)] (Wiki.com).Source: Basic Christian |
Note: Regarding the Tabernacle and the Temples and the Ark of the Covenant. In reading the Bible's history of ancient Israel regarding the Ark of the Covenant it quickly becomes obvious, painfully obvious, that the Ark of the Covenant is missing from the Holy of Holies more often than it is there. For instance from the time of King Saul until the reign of King Solomon and the building of the 1st Temple the Ark of the Covenant is not in its proper location within the Holy of Hollies. That means that throughout the entire Kingdom of King David the Ark was not in the Holy of Holies and therefore a proper observance of the feast of "The Day of Atonement" could not be observed and fulfilled. In other words it would probably not be possible for the Messiah to arrive (or be born) w/o having had the Ark of the Covenant located inside the Holy of Holies. - If it was necessary in "fulfilling all righteousness" and it probably was then the Ark of the Covenant was within the Holy of Hollies in the 2nd Temple [Cyrus'/Herod's Temple] at the time of the birth of Jesus Christ. -- Having King David as a Biblical example of the Messiah [Jesus Christ] and King Solomon as a Biblical example of the coming Antichrist. -- King David was born in Bethlehem; King Solomon was born in Jerusalem [outside of Bethlehem]. King David was born when the Ark of the Covenant was located within the Holy of Hollies in the Tabernacle at Shiloh. King Solomon was born while the Ark of the Covenant was missing from within the Holy of Hollies, the Tabernacle having been moved from Shiloh to Gibeon without the Ark. - According to the book of Daniel - 'Daniel 9:27 And he [Antichrist] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [7 years]: and in the midst of the week [at 3½ years] he shall cause the [3rd Temple] sacrifice [animal blood sacrifices] and the oblation [Temple offerings] to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate [unholy], even until the consummation [end of the Book of Revelation], and that determined [judgments of Revelation] shall be poured upon the desolate [earth].' - Note: It's possible that what Daniel is prophesying about is a Theological shift and not a Political shift {a point where Antichrist Politics (currently in progress in some form i.e. UN) **completely merges with Antichrist Theology (currently in progress in some form i.e. purposely corrupted Bible versions, NKJV, MESSAGE, NIV)}. The coming 3rd Temple in Jerusalem is briefly going to reinstitute the animal sacrifices of the Eli Priesthood of the Old Testament then as the Antichrist claims to be the true Messiah it seems he will declare himself to be legitimate over Jesus Christ because the Antichrist will have the Ark of the Covenant within the Holy of Holies and of course could claim that Jesus did not - though Jesus did fulfilled all righteousness and if it was necessary then the Ark of the Covent was within the Holy of Holies during the "Day of Atonement" for the year of the birth of Jesus Christ, if it was necessary and it probably was necessary as Jesus was born under the Law (Galatians 4:4) and came to fulfill the Law in order to abolish once and for all the Law. - Therefore there is a possible event where the Antichrist stops the Temple animal sacrifices because he is declaring himself to be the biblical fulfillment and then Theologically switches from the life of the animal blood [Eli's Priesthood] to his counterfeit ministry of [spirit life] through his words and his lies [imitating the Zadok Ministry], initiating the same Theological shift that the Bible initiates in Ministry from the physical life of the blood to the Spiritual life of the Word and completely counterfeiting the life and Ministry of the True Messiah, Jesus Christ.Source: Basic Christian |
From part of a 2007 independent British TV documentary.Source: Basic Christian |
Ron Wyatt's search for the Ark of the Covenant. Both Danny and Ronnie was there when they started the escevations and helped their father.Source: Basic Christian |
Ron Wyatt telling about the discovery of the Ark of the Covenant. This is recorded near the entrance tunnel leading to the Ark.Source: Basic Christian |
Ron Wyatt talks about finding the Ark in a cave North of Jerusalem, and takes questions from the audience.Source: Basic Christian |
Ron Wyatt Discoveries - Ron Wyatt Discoveries of noah's Arc, Ark of the Covenant, Sodom and Gomorra.Source: Basic Christian |
Background: The While Ezra and Nehemiah were originally separate books, they were joined together in the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud. Josephus (c. A.D. 37-100) only mentions the book of Ezra assuming that Nehemiah was joined with it at the time of his writing. The books were first separated in around 200 A.D. by the Church father Origin. The language of the book is late Hebrew with a section in Aramaic (Ezra 4:8-6, 18; 7:12-26), the international language of the day. Aramaic was introduced by King Darius I as the diplomatic language throughout the empire. These portions are texts written between Syrian kings and the Samaritans, which necessitated the international language for diplomacy. The purpose of the book is to give the account of Israel's returning to the land of promise and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and the temple. It is written from a religious rather than historical perspective. It places the emphasis upon a holy nation and a kingdom of priests under God's holy law. King Cyrus of Persia captured Nineveah, the Babylonian capital, in 539 B.C. bringing to an end the Babylonian Exile. Many of the prophets like Isaiah, Micah and Jeremiah all prophesied the Babylonian captivity, the fall of Babylon and their restoration. Jeremiah states that it would last for seventy years. Jeremiah 25:11,12; 29:10. Isaiah mentions by name that Cyrus would be the King who would allow God's people to return Isaiah 44:28. -- **A clay cylinder has been discovered with Cyrus's decree permitting the Jews to return to their land. Under a decree from Cyrus, King of Persia, the Jews were permitted to return to their own land. He even encouraged them in their religion, provided that he be considered the supreme ruler. Under God's hand then Israel was allowed to return to their land and rebuild the temple and reinstate the sacrifices. The first group of exiles who returned numbered about 50,000 in 538 B.C. They took with them many of the furnishings for the temple. Zerubbabel a relative in David's royal line and Joshua who served as high priest both returned with this group. The altar is re-established in chapters 3 and 4. Money is collected to purchase materials from the Phoenicians to build the temple. Construction began in the second year and the foundation of the temple was laid. The older people who remembered the glory and beauty of Solomon's temple wept, ashamed of the work. When the Samaritans wanted to help build the temple they were refused, and so interrupted the building of the temple with violence until 520 B.C. In the second year of Darius the Jews were instructed to resume building. Haggai and Zechariah both encouraged the people in their efforts. Money was taken from the royal treasury to support the project. It took five years to complete the temple. Ezra himself returned to Jerusalem in 457 B.C. with the second group of exiles. He had asked Artaxerxes for permission to return in order to help bring stability to the project. However many stayed behind in Babylon, choosing to support the work with gifts and money.Source: Basic Christian |
The Cyrus cylinder, also known as the Cyrus the Great cylinder, is a document issued by the Persian ruler Cyrus the Great in the form of a clay cylinder inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform script. The cylinder was created following the Persian conquest of Babylon in 539 BC, when Cyrus overthrew the Babylonian king Nabonidus and replaced him as ruler, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The text of the cylinder denounces Nabonidus as impious and portrays the victorious Cyrus as pleasing to the chief Babylonian god Marduk. It goes on to describe how Cyrus had improved the lives of the citizens of Babylonia, repatriated displaced peoples and restored temples and cult sanctuaries. The cylinder was discovered in 1879 by the Assyro-British archaeologist Hormuzd Rassam in the foundations of the Esagila, the main temple of Babylon, where it had been placed as a foundation deposit. It is today kept in the British Museum in London. There have been reports of attempts by the directors of the British Museum and the National Museum of Iran in Tehran to arrange a loan of the Cyrus Cylinder to be temporarily displayed in the National Museum of Iran for a special exhibition. According to the British Museum, the cylinder "reflects a long tradition in Mesopotamia where, from as early as the third millennium BC, kings began their reigns with declarations of reforms." It is composed in a form that broadly matches long-standing Babylonian styles and themes, although the use of the first person marks a striking departure from this pattern. The cylinder may be seen as an example of Cyrus seeking the loyalty of his new Babylonian subjects by stressing his legitimacy as king, and showing his respect for the religious and political traditions of Babylonia. It has been regarded for over a century as an instrument of ancient Mesopotamian propaganda. In the early 1970s, the Shah of Iran adopted it as a symbol of his reign and celebrating 2,500 years of Iranian monarchy, asserting that it was "the first human rights charter in history", **The cylinder has also attracted attention in the context of the repatriation of the Jews to Jerusalem following their Babylonian captivity; it has generally been viewed as corroboration of the Biblical account in the Book of Ezra (see: Ezra 1.1-6, 6.1-5; Isaiah 44.23-45.8; 2 Chronicles 36.22-23). ... Discovery: The cylinder was discovered following an earlier, fruitless excavation by the British archaeologist Austen Henry Layard. In 1850 Layard dug into three mounds on the site of the ruined city of Babylon but found little of importance and concluded that it was not worth his time continuing there. His assistant Hormuzd Rassam, a controversial figure remembered as much for his brutal tactics as his discoveries, returned to the mounds in 1879 on behalf of the British Museum. He uncovered a number of important buildings, most notably the Esagila - a major temple to Marduk, though it was not identified as such until Robert Koldewey's excavation of 1900. Rassam's excavations found a large quantity of business documents and, buried in the temple's foundations, the Cyrus Cylinder. Rassam's excavations went on until 1882. The cylinder was announced to the public by Sir Henry Rawlinson at a meeting of the Royal Asiatic Society on 17 November 1879. Rawlinson's paper on "Notes on a newly-discovered Clay Cylinder of Cyrus the Great" was published in the society's journal the following year.Source: Basic Christian |
The book of Ezra is [slightly] confusing because it starts long before Ezra the scribe comes on the scene. Ezra doesn't appear until chapter 7. About 57 years pass between chapters 6 and 7. We should note that the later period [could] never officially be called a 'kingdom' [Israel would remain w/o a Jewish King] but only a 'people.' **There were at least three waves of returning exiles as Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah all led groups back [there had been three primary waves going into captivity as well, Daniel had been in the first group and Ezekiel was a captive the second group of Jews taken from Jerusalem/Israel to captivity in Babylon. -- Note: Persia (modern Iran) defeated Babylon (modern Iraq) and Persia was freeing some of Babylon's captives]. Ezra and Nehemiah worked together for a period. **The book of Ezra focuses on the rebuilding of the Temple and then it is followed by the book of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall.Source: Basic Christian |
The work is completed in 350 BCE and the Temple is re-dedicated. But it is not the same. The intense spiritually of the First Temple cannot be compared to the Second. The constant open miracles are gone. Prophecy will also disappear during the early years of the second Temple. The Ark of the Covenant is gone—and although there is a Holy of Holies, it stands empty. The Ark—this special gold-lined cedar chest which had contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments—was the place where the Shechina, the Presence of God, descended from heaven between the outstretched wings of the two golden cherubs. What happened to it? The Talmud talks about it and relates two opinions. (1) One opinion says the Babylonians took it into captivity. ***The other opinion says that it was hidden by King Josiah [the last Biblical reference to the Ark being placed back into the Temple is during Josiah's reign (2 Chronicles 35:3)] who had anticipated the impending invasion and destruction. There's a well-known story told in the Talmud of a Cohen, a Priest, who finds a loose stone on the Temple Mount and realizes that's where the Ark is hidden. On the way to tell others about it, he dies. (2) The point of the story is that the Ark is not meant to be found. Not yet. - EZRA AND NECHEMIAH (Nehemiah): The Jews who rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem were faced with many challenges and difficulties. Strong leadership would be essential for them to be able to both rebuilt the Temple and re-establish a strong community. Two individuals played a critical role in the re-establishment of the Jewish community in Israel. One was Ezra. A scribe and scholar and a Jewish community leader in Persia, Ezra, a Cohen, hears that the Jewish community in the Holy Land is floundering with neither king nor prophet. So, he takes with him 1,496 well-chosen men with leadership abilities and comes to the rescue. Ezra is so well thought of in the Talmud that it is written of him that "the Torah could have been given to Israel through Ezra, if not that Moses preceded him" (Sanhedrin 21b). *This high praise goes to Ezra for the spiritual rebuilding of the Jewish people and **his efforts to reinstate Torah law in the land. ... SPIRITUAL VACUUM: Despite Ezra's efforts (and those of the other leaders) the Temple is spiritually a shadow of its former self. The returnees from Babylon are not in a position to rebuild the Temple as splendid as Solomon's. Eventually (circa 30 BC) it will be rebuilt again by Herod the Great, and made into a spectacular structure, but even though it is going to be physically beautiful, it will be spiritually empty when compared with the First Temple. And even though there are going to be High Priests, the institution will become corrupt. According to the Talmud, during the First Temple period of about 410 years, there were only 18 High Priests. During the Second Temple period of 420 years, there were more than 300 High Priests! We know (from the Talmud, Yoma 9a) that Yochanan was High Priest for 80 years, Shimon was High Priest for 40 years, and Yishmael ben Pabi was High Priest for 10 years. That means in the remaining 290 years there were at least 300 priests—one every year or so. What accounts for that? The Talmud tells us that the Holy of Holies was forbidden ground, except for Yom Kippur. On that one day only, the High Priests entered to perform special rites before God. But if he himself was not spiritually pure and unable to focus, he would not be able to stand the intense encounter with God and would die on the spot. We know that during the Second Temple Period a rope had to be tied to the High Priest, so that in case he died, he could be pulled out of the Holy of Holies. Because the whole High Priesthood was a corrupted institution for most of the Second Temple period, the High Priests died or were replaced every year. (4) And yet people clamored for the job, which went to the highest bidder. So the question has to be asked: If he was going to die on Yom Kippur, who would want the position? One possible answer is that many of the candidates strongly believed that their incorrect Temple service was actually the correct way to do it. That is how bad things got. ... LOSS OF PROPHECY: As we saw from the Purim story-by the time we arrive *at the period of the Second Temple, God's presence is hidden, **the Ark of the Covenant is hidden **as is prophecy [there were still Prophets and Prophecy in Israel; Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Simeon, Anna, etc.]. The Talmud says there were definitely individuals living at this time, who, had they lived earlier, would most certainly have been prophets. "There is one among you who deserves that the Shechinah (Divine Presence) should rest on him as it did on Moses, but his generation is not deserving." (Sanhedrin 11a) But the door to prophecy had been slammed in the face of the Jewish people. **And we are told that it will not be opened again until the Messianic Era [the counterfeit Messianic Era - the era of the Antichrist].Source: Basic Christian |
The Bible's book of 2nd Chronicles concludes: 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that **the Word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus King of Persia [the 4th Kingdom of the world - Revelation 17:10], All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of Heaven given me; and He hath charged me to build Him an House [Temple] in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up [return to Jerusalem].Source: Basic Christian |
Jeconiah is captured and deported to Babylon and his Uncle [Zedekiah] becomes the last earthly King to reing for Judah in Jerusalem upon the Throne of King David: 2 Chronicles 36:8-21 8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead. Jehoiachin [aka. Jeconiah] was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem. Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD. And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel. Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy. Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand. And all the vessels of the House of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon. And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons **until the reign of the Kingdom of Persia [Iran]: To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her [70 years of] Sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfil threescore [60] and ten years [70 years].Source: Basic Christian |
Manasseh tries to undue the evil that he initiated in Israel but it's easier to institute evil among the people than it is to initiate goodness among the people: 2 Chronicles 33:9-17 So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God. Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel. Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only.Source: Basic Christian |
After the death of his guardian Priest Jehoiada then Joash became an evil King in Judah: 2 Chronicles 24:14-25 ... And they [Judah] offered burnt offerings in the House of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada [the guardian Priest]. But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died. And they buried him in the city of David among the Kings [David, Solomon, etc.], because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his House [Temple]. Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass. Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear. And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah (Matthew 23:35) the son of Jehoiada (aka Barachias) the Priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you. And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD. Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it. And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus. For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash. And when they were departed from him, for they left him in great diseases, his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David [Jerusalem], but they buried him not in the sepulchres [tombs] of the Kings.Source: Basic Christian |
Athaliah inserts herself as Queen of Israel: 2 Chronicles 22:6-12 And Azariah the son of Jehoram King of Judah went down to see Jehoram [King of Northern Israel] the son of Ahab [and Jezebel] at Jezreel, because he was sick. And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them. And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, for he was hid in Samaria, and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom. *But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and **destroyed all the seed royal of the House of Judah. But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the King, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the King's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the Priest, for she was the sister of Ahaziah, hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not. And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.Source: Basic Christian |
2 Chronicles 10:16-19 And when all Israel saw that the King [Rehoboam] would not hearken [listen] unto them, the people [Ten Northern Tribes] answered the King, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own House. So all [Northern] Israel went to their tents. But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But King Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. And [Northern] Israel rebelled against [Judah] the House of David unto this day.Source: Basic Christian |
King Solomon passes away: 2 Chronicles 9:26-31 And he [King Solomon] reigned over all the kings from the river [Jordan river] even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. And the King made silver [as common] in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the low plains in abundance. And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands. Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat? And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. **And Solomon slept with his fathers [this would indicate that Solomon went to heaven with the others (Abraham, David, etc.)], and he was buried [honorably] in the city [Jerusalem] of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.Source: Basic Christian |
King Solomon and the Levitical Priests dedicate the 1st Temple in Jerusalem: 2 Chronicles 7:1-6 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the [Shekinah] Glory of the LORD filled the House [Temple]. And the Priests could not enter into the House of the LORD, because the Glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S House. And when all the Children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the Glory of the LORD upon the House, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and **worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endureth [eternally] for ever. Then the King [Solomon] and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD. And King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the King and all the people dedicated the [Temple] House of God [in Jerusalem]. And the Priests waited [preformed] on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which {earlier} David the King had made to praise the LORD, because His mercy endureth for ever, {earlier} when David {was still living} praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.Source: Basic Christian |
King Solomon is granted and allowed by God to have 'worldly' wisdom: 2 Chronicles 1:5-13 Moreover the brazen (brass) altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the Tabernacle of the LORD [at Gibeon]: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it [inquired of the LORD]. And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the Tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it. **In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me King over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now *wisdom [lit. administration abilities - Chokmah, H2451] and *knowledge [lit. thought, worldly knowledge - Madda, H4093], that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like. Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon [back] to Jerusalem, from before the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and reigned over Israel. - Note: King Solomon was given worldly knowledge and wisdom from God. King Solomon then used his God given wisdom to seek occult knowledge and experiences.Source: Basic Christian |
Gibeon and Zion: For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt offering, were at that season in the high place at Gibeon. (1 Chronicles 21:29) Only the tabernacle and the altar of offering rested on Gibeon, not the ark. What transpired that the ark would no longer be in the holy of holies? At this point it would be good to do a brief history of how the Ark of the Covenant and the tent of meeting (the tabernacle which came to rest on Gibeon) were permanently separated and how this seeming disaster served to advance God's eternal plan. At first, both the Ark and the tabernacle moved around together from point to point in the Promised Land during the time of the judges. The tent housed the ark when it was stationary. One of the later judges named Eli was also the chief priest and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests before the Lord when the tent of meeting was at Shiloh. One day a woman came and was weeping and groaning in prayer at the door of the tent and Eli rebuked her because he thought she was drunk. Hannah replied that she was not drunk, but rather grieving because she was barren. Eli assured her that God heard her prayer. Soon she conceived and gave birth to a child named Samuel. When the child was weaned, as promised, she brought him to the tabernacle to minister before the Lord as a Nazarite and prophet. Though Samuel was not of the family of the Levites, but of Ephraim, he ministered there at Shiloh before the Lord and God started speaking to him at a very early age. God was about to replace Eli as judge over Israel because he and his sons were corrupt. The Philistines came up to invade Israel and the army of Israel went out to head them off at the pass. The battle was not going well, so someone got the bright idea to fetch the ark of God from Shiloh, believing that God would fight their battle for them because of the presence of the ark. Wrong! Hophni and Phinehas brought the ark to the field of battle, but when the Philistines heard of it they became more determined. They routed Israel, killed the two sons of Eli, and took the ark as a trophy of war. At this point, a runner brought news to Eli that his two sons had been killed and the ark had been lost. Eli was old and obese, and when he heard the ark was in enemy hands he fell backwards off his chair, broke his neck and died. When the pregnant wife of Phinehas heard of the death of her husband and the loss of the ark, she went into labor early and gave birth to a son. She named the child Ichabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured" (1 Samuel 4:21-22, NKJV). Samuel and those who remained at Shiloh packed up the tabernacle and all its furnishings and headed south to avoid the invading Philistines. The tent of meeting finally came to rest on a hill called Gibeon, but without the Ark of the Covenant. The priests who succeeded Eli and his sons continued to minister before the empty tent for many years, though the glory of God's presence was not there. ...Source: Basic Christian |
Spiritual Lessons from the Kings of Judah: From time to time God raised up kings who brought a measure of revival to his people, kings like Solomon, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Hezekiah and Josiah. If you are made a leader, make efforts to bring revival and renewal to your people. Organize retreats, conferences, training sessions, prayer days, camps and other activities to which special speakers are invited and in which there are times of worship, prayer and fellowship. Lead the people back to the Lord. God's people need refreshment in spirit, mind and body.Source: Basic Christian |
The books of Chronicles give another view of Jewish history than that which was recorded in 2 Samuel through 2 Kings. 1 AND 2 Chronicles Background: 1 and 2 Chronicles, like 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Samuel, were not divided into two parts in the Hebrew manuscripts. Chronicles as one book originally went by the name of the "Dairies" or "Journals", being that they were was court records kept by the different kings. Greek translators of the Old Testament referred to these books as "the things omitted", because they supply much information that is not found in the books of the kings. The records of the Chronicles cover a period from the death of Saul (1010 B.C. to the decree of Cyrus (536 B.C.), about a 475-year period. *The whole book for 1 Chronicles, like 2 Samuel, is dedicated to the life of David. It begins with the genealogy of the royal line of David (Chapter 1-9), before surveying key events of the reign of David (chapters 10-29). (For greater depth on the Kings read: Understanding the Kings.) Author: although the author and date are not stated in the text, the Jewish tradition says that Ezra penned Chronicles. Some believe that Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah had the same author. The final verses of Chronicles (36:22) are repeated in Ezra 1:1-3. 1 Chronicles Background: First chronicles places a disproportionate emphasis on the tribes of Judah and Benjamin because Chronicles is not concerned with the Northern Kingdom, but with the Southern Kingdom and the Davidic Dynasty. The whole book of First Chronicles is dedicated to the life of David. It begins with the life of David, and the genealogy of the royal line of David (chapters 1-9), before surveying the key events of the reign of David (chapters 10-29). David desired to build a house (temple) for God. God promised instead to build an everlasting house (dynasty) for David (17:1-15). See 2 Samuel 7:16.Source: Basic Christian |
The Bible's book of 1st Chronicles concludes: 1 Chronicles 29:27-30 And the time that he [King David] reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron [Hebron is south of Jerusalem and is where Abraham was living when Abraham met Melchizedek after his covenant with God], and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. **And he [King David] died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead. Now the acts of David the King, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer, With all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the Kingdoms of the countries.Source: Basic Christian |
King David before he steps down as King of Israel he sets in order the Temple services: 1 Chronicles 24:1-6 Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died (Leviticus 10:1-2) before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office. And {over 450 years later} David distributed them [descendants of Aaron], both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service. And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers. Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar. And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the King, and the Princes, and *Zadok the Priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers of the Priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar [the descendants of Ithamar the brother of Eleazar - both were the surviving sons of Aaron (the Levitical/Aaronic Priesthood)].Source: Basic Christian |
1 Chronicles 22:1-6 Then David said, This is the House of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel. And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God. And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight; Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David. And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death. Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an House for the LORD God of Israel.Source: Basic Christian |
1 Chronicles 16:37-43 So he [King David] left there before the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD *Asaph [Psalms 50 and 73-83] and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required: And Obed- edom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obed-edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters: And **Zadok the Priest [Zadok also dedicated the Temple for King Solomon (1 Chronicles 29:22)], *and his brethren the Priests, before the Tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon, To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which He commanded Israel; And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because His mercy endureth for ever; And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters. And all the people departed {being (Saturday) the close of the Sabbath Day} every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house. - Note: With God's presence in Jerusalem, with King David on the Throne in Jerusalem and Zadok officiating as one of the Priests of Israel the transition from Saul and Eli had been completed and the transition from the Tabernacle/Temple Ministry of animal blood sacrifice to the Ministry of the Holy Word of God, later confirmed, established and completed in the birth, cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ for all mankind was well under way.Source: Basic Christian |
1 Chronicles 12:16-28 And there came of the children of [Tribe of] Benjamin and [Tribe of Judah] Judah to the hold [hideout] unto David. And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it. Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band. And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads. As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh. And they helped David against the band of the rovers: for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host. For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God. And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD. The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war. Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred. **Of the children of [Tribe of Levi] Levi four thousand and six hundred. *And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites [Aaronic Priests], and with him were three thousand and seven hundred; And *Zadok [Zadok is the great-great-great Grandfather of Ezra (Ezra 7:1-5)], *a young man mighty of valour, and of his father's house twenty and two captains. - Note: God was transitioning the Nation of Israel from Saul's reign and Eli's reign into the Davidic Kingdom and the Zadok Priesthood in unison.Source: Basic Christian |
The transition from King Saul's rule to King David's empire and also the transition in the same way from Eli's [physical] Tabernacle Priesthood to Zadok's eventual Temple Priesthood and the Ministry of the Word of God - The Word (Scriptures) of God being a better witness of God than the Ministry of the blood of bulls and goats. The Word (Scriptures) of God containing within it the Promises, Covenants and Revelation of God. - '1 Chronicles 10:13-14 So [King] Saul [King Saul became a Biblical human type of Satan] died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, *even against **the Word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the LORD: therefore He slew him, and turned the Kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.' - Note: In the same way of judgment that King Saul and three of his sons died (1 Samuel 31:6) the Tabernacle High Priest Eli and two of his sons had all also died on the same day enacting the eventual transition of the Priesthood from Eli [the Priesthood of animal blood] to Zadok [the Ministry of the Word of God] (1 Samuel 2:34-35, 1 Samuel 4:11,18) as well as the Kingdom from Saul to David. - Also Note: The Eli Priesthood Ministry [a ministry strictly of animal blood sacrifices] perished in the same way as Saul and like King Saul the Eli Priesthood Ministry perished without writing a single word of Scripture. The Zadok Ministry and the Davidic Kingdom would soon replace the Eli Ministry and Saul's [corrupt] Kingdom and combined the Zadok Ministers [Ministers of the Word of God] and the Davidic lineage would author, preserve, compile and minister the vast majority of the Old Testament of the Holy Bible to the people of God.Source: Basic Christian |
The Aaronic Priesthood: 1 Chronicles 6:49-57 But Aaron and his sons *offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, *and on the altar of incense, **and were appointed for all the work of the place most Holy [Holy of Holies], ***and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son. Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot. And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it. But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh. And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs …Source: Basic Christian |
1 Chronicles 2:1-2 These are the sons of Israel [Jacob - the Twelve Tribes of Israel]; Reuben (the Firstborn but lost his birthright and it was given to Joseph), Simeon, *Levi (Priestly Tribe), and Judah (Kingly Tribe), Issachar, and Zebulun, Dan, *Joseph (received the firstborn double portion of land in the Promise Land - Israel), and Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. ... 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's [Jacob's (Genesis 35:22)] bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy [of Ruben] is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's: - Note: Jacob 'adopted' his Twelve male children [from four different wives] and as the adoption each received an inheritance - the inheritance of Jacob given to him from God, handed down from Abraham and Isaac was the Promise Land, the promises and the Convents between Abraham and God. Jacob gave a portion of his inheritance to each of his Twelve sons and skipping down to Joseph gave Joseph the double portion and since the inheritance was a living inheritance [like heaven is a living inheritance for each of us] Jacob adopted the first two of Joseph's sons as his sons and the two (Grandsons) Manasseh and Ephraim each received and equal inheritance in the Promise Land with their uncles. But Jacob would not adopt any more of Joseph's children is Joseph had more children they would not get their own inheritance but would have to live in one of their brother's inheritance if they were to live in the Promise Land though Jacob didn't have any more sons. -- Genesis 48:5-6 5 And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance. - Also Note: Joseph received the Firstborn double portion inheritance of Israel and it is Jesus Christ the "Firstborn" in status that receives the double portion inheritance in the eternal resurrection life Kingdom. -- Colossians 1:14-18 In [Jesus Christ] whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the *firstborn [in status] of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the Church: who is the beginning, ***the firstborn [resurrection] from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. - Also Note: How even in the genealogy the Book of 1st Chronicles is transitioning from Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and King David directly into Jesus Christ.Source: Basic Christian |
Despite the fact that the period of [Ezra] and the return to Zion was a pivotal transition point between biblical and post-biblical Judaism, very few scholars have focused on this era. Ezra remains an intriguing yet little- known figure. Ezra also instituted a renewed covenant with the people, in which they swore to observe not only the written Torah but also some 10 decrees not explicitly mentioned in the Torah but derived from it through legal interpretation developed by Ezra. Ezra was a man so enthusiastic about spreading Torah that ancient rabbis said of him: "If Moses had not anticipated him, Ezra would have received the Torah."Source: Basic Christian |
Ezra (active 5th century B.C.) was a Hebrew priest, scribe, religious leader, and reformer who vitally influenced Judaism. The son of Seraiah, Ezra was a descendant of the ancient priestly house of Zadok. In 458 B.C., the seventh year of the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Ezra obtained the King's permission to visit Judea, bearing with him the latter's gifts for the Holy Temple. The primary purpose of his mission, however, was to inquire into the deteriorating religious conditions of the Jewish community in Judea. Ezra came at the head of a caravan of about 1,800 men, not including their women and children. They made the 4 month journey from Babylon without the benefit of military escort, thereby demonstrating their trust and reliance upon God. Soon after his arrival in Jerusalem, Ezra proceeded to reorganize the Temple services. In response to his vigorous program to persuade the people to observe the Mosaic Law, they entered into a covenant to keep the Sabbath and the Sabbatical year, as well as other precepts of the Torah. But the problem that perplexed Ezra most was that many of the Judean settlers had taken heathen wives from among the neighboring peoples. Mixed marriages had become so prevalent as to threaten the very survival of the Jewish community. Ezra induced his people to divorce their pagan wives and to separate from the community those who refused to do so. Ezra's action was an extreme measure, but he felt that the critical situation warranted it. It aroused the ire of the Samaritans and other peoples, who resented the affront to their women. In retaliation the Samaritans denounced Ezra to the Persian king for attempting to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, which he evidently was not authorized to do. The King stopped the work, and the rebuilt part was razed. {Note: The Jews had permission (from King Cyrus) to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem it was established by messengers that they could rebuild, later it was also establised (by King Artaxerxes) that they could rebuild the wall around the city of Jerusalem. (Ezra 4:12-24, Ezra 6:1-22, Nehemiah 2:8)} -- The Talmud ascribes a far more important role to Ezra than that recorded in the scriptural book bearing his name. The Talmud asserts that Ezra would have been worthy of having the Torah given through him to Israel had not Moses preceded him. It also attributes to him many ancient laws, perhaps to give them prestige and authority. It states that he introduced the use of the square Hebrew script. Ezra also is said to have determined the precise text of the Pentateuch. Tradition regards him, moreover, as the founder of the Kenesset Hagdolah, the Great Assembly, which exercised supreme religious authority until the end of the 4th century B.C. Scholars believe it was Ezra who replaced the altars and shrines in the villages with synagogues. Other prominent Jewish religious customs are associated with Ezra, who is generally credited with having removed the Torah from the monopoly of the priesthood and democratized it by teaching it to the people. Finally, Ezra is regarded as the savior of the national and religious life of Judaism at a most critical period.Source: Basic Christian |
Brief Summary: The first 9 chapters of 1 Chronicles are dedicated to lists and genealogies. Further lists and genealogies are scattered throughout the rest of 1 Chronicles. In between, the Book of 1 Chronicles records David's ascension to the throne and his actions thereafter. The book concludes with David's son Solomon becoming King of Israel. Briefly outlined, the Book of 1 Chronicles is as follows: Chapters 1:1-9:23 - Selective Genealogies; Chapters 9:24-12:40 - David's ascent; Chapters 13:1-20:30 -David's reign. - Foreshadowings: In David's song of thanksgiving to God in 1 Chronicles 16:33, he refers to the time when God will come "to judge the earth." This foreshadows Matthew 25, in which Jesus describes the time when He will come to judge the earth. Through the parables of the ten virgins and the talents, He warns that those who are found without the blood of Christ covering their sins will be cast into "outer darkness." He encourages His people to be ready because when He comes, He will separate the sheep from the goats in judgment. - Part of the Davidic Covenant which God reiterates in chapter 17 refers to the future Messiah who would be a descendant of David. Verses 13-14 describe the Son who will be established in God's house and whose throne will be established forever. This can only refer to Jesus Christ. - Practical Application: Genealogies such as the ones in 1 Chronicles may seem dry to us, but they remind us that God knows each of His children personally, even down to the number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30). We can take comfort in the fact that who we are and what we do is written forever in God's mind. If we belong to Christ, our names are written forever in the Lamb's book of Life (Revelation 13:8).Source: Basic Christian |
The current plan for the 'blog Bible Study' is to complete the study in 10 segments: 1. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua 2. Matthew, James, Romans, Galatians, Hebrews 3. Judges, Ruth, 1st Samuel, 2nd Samuel, 1st Kings, 2nd Kings 4. Jonah, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum {Early period Prophets - Assyrian activity, attack on Jerusalem thwarted} 5. Jeremiah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Obadiah, Daniel, Ezekiel {Middle period Prophets - destruction of Jerusalem, Solomon's Temple destroyed and the Babylonian captivity} 6. Luke, Acts, 1st Corinthians, 2nd Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st Thessalonians, 2nd Thessalonians 7. Mark, 1st Timothy, 2nd Timothy, Titus, Philemon, 1st Peter, 2nd Peter 8. Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Lamentations 9. 1st Chronicles, 2nd Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, Joel, Malachi {Later period Prophets - The return from Babylon, awaiting the coming Messiah} 10. John, 1st John, 2nd John, 3rd John, Jude, Revelation Source: Basic Christian |
Do you visit Christian web sites or receive daily devotional emails? Ever want to look up a scripture fast? InstaVerse™ by WORDsearch will let you instantly see the actual Bible text for scripture references like John 3:16 - just point your mouse at it, and the text pops up in your preferred translation! The best part is that InstaVerse with the KJV Bible is FREE!Source: Basic Christian |
The King James Version (KJV) 1611 with the Words of Jesus Formatted in Red is a complete Bible containing both the Old and the New Testaments.Source: Basic Christian |
A Complete handy Reference - Study Guide/Tutorial. It covers 132 Christian Subjects and Topics from Adoption - Yahweh in an easy to read and understand format. An extensive resource, unparalleled in convenience and ease of use yet advanced in topic research.Source: Basic Christian |
Mr. Missler is the chairman of Koinonia House (K-House), a non-profit organization which is dedicated to the development and distribution of materials for encouraging and facilitating serious study of the Bible as the inerrant Word of God. K-House was founded by Chuck and Nancy Missler, and moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in 1992. K-House now reaches tens of thousands through its monthly newsletter, radio shows, cassette tapes, and conferences. More than eight million study tapes have been distributed in the U.S. and in over 35 countries around the world.Source: Basic Christian |
Find out what you can do with The Word: In the Beginning was the Word Bible software (The Word) was created in order to be a valuable, everyday tool for every Christian that wishes to read and study the Bible, the Word of God. We believe that In the Beginning was the Word Bible Software is one of the very best Bible study software programs available, commercial or otherwise. The Word is comparable to and in many cases, if not most, better than its commercial counterparts. Although the price tag for The Word is free, do not be fooled into thinking that its price tag reflects its feature list. ... The Word is designed to be a tool for everyday use, always running in the background and ready to respond whenever you need to look-up a verse, read the Bible, or study a passage or theme of the Bible in depth. It's quick to load, easy to customize and intuitive to use. We feel that its value and quality cannot be fully presented through a feature list, so we urge you to try it out. Each little detail has been carefully contemplated, designed and implemented with many options and customizations. This is exactly what makes people stick with The Word, once they give it a try. That's the best way to make up your mind too!Source: Basic Christian |
There are few things more important to Christian life than prayer. Prayer is our method of communication with our Lord and Creator. And yet far too few understand prayer or have taken any time to study it. As I prepared this study, I was impressed more and more about how prayer is centered on relationships. Just like in any other relationship, if we don't communicate, the relationship is strained. When we don't communicate with God, our relationship with Him is strained. This study is based on Andrew Murray's classic, "With Christ in the School of Prayer." Several quotes are taken from there and are noted throughout the text. The studies do not cover every chapter in the book but instead give a highlight of the overall theme Murray writes about. The chapter on the Prayer of Corporate Repentance is my own addition and is not based upon the book.Source: Basic Christian |
Probably one of the most common reasons why Christians don't study the Bible is based on this complaint, "I just don't understand it!" Before you start each study session, begin by praying and asking God to open your spiritual understanding. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (NIV) So, as you pray, realize that the words you are studying are inspired by God. Psalm 119:130 tells us, "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." (NIV).Source: Basic Christian |
Underscoring: It is often wise to underscore or underline key words or phrases that you want to stand out in order to find them quickly. I use two colored fine-line pens for my underscoring, black for generally important verses and red for very important verses. Do not overdo this by underlining every time a new thought strikes you or the time will come when you will have more underlined than non-underlined and this can lead to a confusing hodgepodge. ... COLOR TOPIC(S) TO REMEMBER COLOR - TOPIC: Light Blue - Prayer - Think of prayers going up into a BLUE sky. Dark Blue - Healing/Sickness - Think of BLUE cross or a dark BLUE wound. Orange - Resurrection - Sons of God RISING (remember: SUNRISE). Red - Sabbath and Holy Days - Stop, Rest, Relax, (Think of a STOP light). Pink - Marriage/Divorce - Think of PINK, fluffy clouds of marriage. Light Green - Millennium/God's Kingdom - When earth will be GREEN & beautiful. Dark Green - Man's Mortality - Man's days are like GRASS - Psalm 103:15. Black/Gray - Satan/Demons (spiritual warfare) - EVIL, Darkness, Blackness. Purple - Promises to Israel and Heirs - Purple color of ROYALTY. Yellow/Gold - Law and Commandments - GOLDEN rule; Law worth more than GOLD. Brown - Repentance/Baptism - Picture AUTUMN LEAVES falling, dying of old self. {Feel free to use any colors in any way, in any combination and also not to use any color codes at all.}Source: Basic Christian |
SAKURA-Pigma Micron Pens #05.45mm. Heritage Collection (1 each): Sepia, Royal Blue, Burgundy, Hunter Green, Blue/Black, Fresh Green. A fine point drawing and writing pen offering a waterproof quick drying pigment ink. Micron pens will not clog or dry out. Ink will not feather or bleed through even the thinnest papers and is smear proof once dry. The pigment in the ink remains colorful and will not spread when applied. It is fade proof against sunlight or UV light; and is permanent and washable on cotton fabrics. Archival Quality. Acid Free. Imported.Source: Basic Christian |
The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible combines essential tools for Hebrew and Greek with translations that accurately and clear. An easy-to-use style plus the benefits of the Strong's Dictionary numbering system makes this study Bible one for every student of God's Word, no matter what age. The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible is a complete English Bible text for cross-reference study to the original languages from which the Bible was translated. Key Features: Book Introductions - Footnotes on Key Passages - Red Letter Edition - System of Study - Key Words in the English Text Identified by James Strong's Numbering System - Codes in the New Testament Text Identify Grammatical Structure of Key Greek Words - Notations Explain the Significance of the Grammatical Codes - Hebrew and Greek Word Studies - Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries - Center-column Reference System - Concordance.Source: Basic Christian |
The Jesus Bible shows that the real Jesus -- as described throughout all of Scripture -- is alive today and relevant to everyday life. Through The Jesus Bible, you will meet the Savior and experience his ability to break through all boundaries, all preconceived ideas, and all stereotypes. Special Features: 500 unexpected notes show how we can find Jesus in unexpected situations - 100 Real Expressions devotionals that are tied to Bible characters, and are based on stories from real teens - 600 X-Focus call-outs highlight key Scripture verses and passages that address God's plan of salvation through Christ - 24 Explicit Answers show key sayings of Jesus spread throughout the Bible - 200 Xtraordinary, But True articles in the OT highlight unusual stories of people and prophets and show their relevance to today - New Living Translation - 9 point text - Two-column layout - Softcover.Source: Basic Christian |
Monthly Memo: Fall 2009: Bible Study, Prayer, Devotions and Fellowship - 1. The Basic Christian info/news feed is probably going to transition this fall from the conspiracy, headline news events of the day into a more Bible, Christian doctrine and current Christian seminar-events centered info/news feed. 2. I'm thankful for the patience that everyone had while we covered so many difficult topics in such a short period of time. I always try to maintain a focus that people are looking at the material and I defiantly try to spread the material out not putting too much of a burden on people at any one time. When Basic Christian started as a discussion forum it was basically all interaction all the time but now without a forum the website has little or no interaction though I still keep in mind the interaction of the past forum and do try not to overload everyone. 3. The Summer 2009 links to other websites and particularly to the Podcast Shows have been some of the best links that the Basic Christian website has been able to provide and I'm very grateful to all of the Podcast ministries for providing such a great and challenging time of Christian growth for everyone involved. 4. There are more Mp3s and now Video downloads available via Basic Christian. Some of the material tends towards conspiracy topics and some of it is a bit on the fire and brimstone side and it isn't necessarily what I would normally provide however these are materials that are increasingly being removed from the internet and becoming harder to locate so they are the files being provided in order to give others an additional chance to obtain them. In other words Hill Song videos are not disappearing from the internet but the conspiracy, hidden news materials and mature preaching topics are harder to locate and obtain so therefore those are the materials that are being provided. -- Thanks again to everyone for sticking it out through so much material and through so much unplanned controversy. I personally look forward to spending much more time in Bible study, in personal prayer time, in devotions and in fellowship this fall and into next spring. I'm really looking forward to [Edit: Studying through the Bible in the past it has] changed my life for the better so I'm very much looking forward to spending some daily [Edit: in Bible study, devotions, prayer, fellowship and Christian service]. All the very best! God Bless you, David Anson Brown.Source: Basic Christian |
Savevid.com is a tool which gives you the ability to download videos from streaming video sites. You can download videos from Youtube, Google Videos, Metacafe, Spike and more in FLV, AVI, MOV, MPG or WMV formats.Source: Basic Christian |
Each Mp3 or Video offers important information, encouragement or teaches an important Biblical concept.Source: Basic Christian |
Each Mp3 or Video offers important information, encouragement or teaches an important Biblical concept.Source: Basic Christian |
It is our Commitment to provide a Varity of FREE and useful Downloads. It is also our Commitment to provide them in a convenient way without pop-up advertisements, redirects and other annoying interferences between you and the information you are seeking. We also encourage everyone to have a safety offline backup version of the Basic Christian material.Source: Basic Christian |
