But . . . not to worry - the next study has been planned and you will LOVE IT!!! "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy With God in the Busyness of Life"
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
We were to read Nehemiah chapters 1, 2, 6 and 8:
Nehemiah was a contemporary of Ezra. He led the nation of Israel to a religious reform and spiritual awakening.
The lessons we can learn from him are:
- The first step in any venture is to pray to God
- That people under God's direction can accomplish the "impossible" tasks.
- There are two parts to real service for God . . . 1) talking with Him and 2) walking with Him.
What do we know about Nehemiah?
- He was the cup bearer to the King
- This Scripture takes place in the 20th year of the king's reign
- Ezra went to Jerusalem in the 7th year of the king's reign
- Nehemiah becomes Governor of Judah for 12 years
- He causes the wall of Jerusalem to be rebuilt in 52 days - this spoke to his skills to manage and administer the tasks required (You COULD say he was a GREAT project manager ;-)
- He had strong personal faith and conviction of divine guidance and help.
- He had to overcome hostility and intimidation from powerful neighboring authorities in Samaria, Ammon and Arabia
- (Not part of our reading but in surrounding chapters)
- . . . (Ch. 5) He required economic justice - a few rich Jews were exploiting a food shortage by exacting high interest from poorer brothers.
- . . . (Ch. 10) He was involved in developing a document for the Jewish community to pledge their support to temple personnel and offerings
- . . . (Ch. 13) Observance of the Sabbath and addressing problems of marriage to non-Jews.
To give you a visual of real life pictures of gates and walls in Jerusalem I have included the pictures below I took in May/June 2014. You will see that the Golden Gate has been sealed and cemeteries have been placed in front of it.
Leviticus 21:1 tells us the law that "The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: 'A priest must not make himself ceremonially unclean for any of his people who die," and Leviticus 21:11 tells us "He must not enter a place where there is a dead body. He must not make himself unclean, even for his father or mother,"
When the Muslims claimed this area they sealed the gate and strategically placed their cemeteries in front of it to prevent Jesus' second coming. WE all know that there is NOTHING man can do that will ever prevent our Lord from fulfilling His plan!