DOCSLIB.ORG

Nehemiah 10 Grace Emmanuel Church 01/07/17 ______We’Re Right in the Middle of One of the Really Great Stories in the Bible

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Nehemiah 10 Grace Emmanuel Church 01/07/17 ______We’Re Right in the Middle of One of the Really Great Stories in the Bible Nehemiah 10 Grace Emmanuel Church 01/07/17 _______________________________________________________________________ We’re right in the middle of one of the really great stories in the Bible. So many people, even those who read their Bible regularly have told me that these real life Bible characters…are moving from being just interesting words on a page…to real people who really lived, who really faced satan’s opposition in their lives, who in the power of Almighty God broke through the opposition and achieved great things for God that (obviously) we are still talking about today 2500 years later. Nehemiah, little Jewish boy… grew up living 1000 miles away from Israel, in Persia because: 1) He had been adopted by Persian parents when he was a baby 2) His parents had moved to Persia in search of jobs in a rug factory 3) His parents had been forcibly exiled there when Jerusalem was attacked and destroyed 4) None of the above _______________________________________________________________________ When Nehemiah grows up he is famous for: 1) Landing in a lion’s den where he is miraculously preserved by God 2) Being one of three Hebrews thrown into a fiery furnace 3) Marrying into Persian royalty and saving his fellow Jews from death 4) Prophesying about Jerusalem rising again and becoming the birth place of the Messiah. Nehemiah in this story moves from: 1) Cupbearer to the King in Persia to rebuilder of Jerusalem’s walls 2) Personal advisor to the King fighting against Jerusalem’s enemies 3) Signet ring holder for the King Governor of all Judean _______________________________________________________________________ Nehemiah is most famous for: 1) Setting up Persian rug factories in Israel 2) Establishing the first Persian windmill farm in Israel 3) Building huge underground refrigerators like they had in Persia 4) Rebuilding 2.5 miles of walls in 52 days (Not 8” but 8’; not 8’ high but 36’) 1 _______________________________________________________________________ Nehemiah was called by God to turn this pile of ruins Into this thriving city: (70 years in Persia increased their technology greatly) ________________________________________________________________________ Because this was not really about broken down walls…it was about rebuilding the birthplace of the coming Messiah…. It was because satan has a track record of trying (unsuccessfully to stop God at every junction of time), only to be bested by God over and over and over again… And this would be yet one more time when satan would pour all of his evil arsenal at God’s children only to come out wining with his claws clipped. Satan tried then…and some of us have acknowledged…that’s he’s tried to use the same exact tired tactics on you, and me, just in the last week…two weeks! 1) Satan’s Tactic # 1) Anger… against you. (4:1 Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage…) 2) Satan’s Tactic # 2: Mockery, Deception - The word satan means: adversary; one who plots against another. 3) Satan’s Tactic # 3 – “Onslaught” of vicious attacks (4:8 They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion…) 4) Satan’s Tactic #4 ; Discouragement, frustration, exhaustion! (4:10… there is so much rubble to be moved ) 5) Satan’s Tactic #5; Negativism (4:12 The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again) 6) Satan’s Tactic #6 : Fear – 4:14 “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious!) 2 ________________________________________________________________________ When those tactics failed…and the walls got closer and closer to completion…in an unbelievably record time. (satan finally gave up and went off into the corner nursing his battered ego? Yes?? No!... he pours coal onto the fire!) And it’s almost like the harder satan tries…the more God pours in his supernatural power…. Imagine that? Pastor Mitchell shared with us yesterday, at the men’s (steak and egg) breakfast…that satan is thoroughly aware of what God is up to. He is far more familiar with the Bible than many Christians are. He’s been staring at the OT for 3500, and the NT for 2000 years. He is perfectly aware that everything God said he was going to do…He has done! Pastor Mitchell reminded us that satan believes what God says, more than many Christians do! That doesn’t mean he is not going to scramble tooth and claw to try to defeat God and his children right up to the day Jesus drops him into the Lake of Fire. He is the ultimate Narcissist… the father of narcissism! He always thinks he is right even though he has been proven wrong 10 billion times! So as the walls are nearing completion, when every strategy has been tried to bring God’s children to their worn-out knees. Satan just pours on the fuel and tries a new tack. Which I’m sorry to tell you is exactly what he is going to do in the life of every child of God this coming week. I would love it if we all got a two week vacation from the evil one’s attempts to disrupt our lives every 6 months or so…. “but alas…it’s not to be!” We all have a ten billion year break coming from him just around the corner… and that will be just the beginning! In the mean time we would be smart to look hard at the Nehemiah account….and how he/they completely and consistently beat back satan’s attempts to stop them _______________________________________________________________________ If you are a construction type (which I have a history of myself)… you are not looking at this wall construction with rose tinted glasses. How many jobs did you ever do when a project that should have taken a year, was finished in 52 days? When did all of your workmen/women get along with each other perfectly… and every single person do their job with absolute accuracy and precision? This whole city sits up on Mount Moriah. They were surrounded with hostiles on every side. Do we think their supply of millions of tons of hewn rocks were all sitting in neat piles waiting for them…or did they have to climb down off the mountain, fight their way through their angry pagan neighbors…. to bring in thousands of loads of rock? 3 People doing hard labor had to eat…lots! They sure weren’t growing vegetables and grazing cows in the middle of that town. Somebody had to brave the hostile neighboring people, the rustlers stealing their livestock, and the purposely-set fires intended to burn them out, their tools mysteriously going missing in the middle of the night. The whole task here was a whole lot bigger than just slapping one stone on top of another. ______________________________________________________________________ I’m purposely bringing in other elements of these people’s lives because it more closely matches our own. Some of you thought last year that nothing worse could possibly happen to you, only to have something worse happen. Some of you worked so hard to get a job only to have it vanish. Some worked tirelessly to buy something only to have it break, or maybe someone else broke it for you. Some worked so hard to build relationships only to have them melt away like steam. Sometimes it’s hard to align the presence of evil, and the reality of living in a sin-cursed world…with our understanding of a sovereign, gracious, loving God who loved us so much that he came to this earth to give his life as a sacrifice for our sins. Do you ever look up to God and say, God I know you love me but I am under siege right now… from the adversary and his forces of evil. I believe with all my heart that you have an eternal future waiting for me in heaven, where I will finally be free of the spiritual warfare that fills my present….But God could you please right now give me a little of heaven to go to heaven in? ________________________________________________________________________ Can you imagine Nehemiah’s conversations with God. Remember there are twelve prayers in thirteen chapters. There is no other book in the Bible like that I don’t think. And that’s all that are in writing. There were probably hundreds… thousands of cries out to God in the middle of sleepless nights as Nehemiah tried to do the impossible thing God had called him to. “God you called me here to do this great work… Building these walls is a monumental task. That alone would consume all of our time and energy.” But God from the moment we started… we’ve had these satan-inspired, adversary-driven pagans doing everything they can think of to stop our forward momentum… God are you aware of what they are doing to us. Are you aware of the roadblocks they are throwing in front of what you have so clearly called me/us to do? God it doesn’t make any sense to my small finite human terribly tired brain! 4 _______________________________________________________________________ I had a day this week where I was actually privately worshipping God…but cascading through my brain came this whole series of some of the most awful, absurd things that have happened in my life. I was, at that point, saying “thank you God for bringing me through things that the adversary undoubtedly put there to stop me cold in my tracks”…. But aren’t we tempted to say: God why allow difficult things to start with.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Megillat Esther
    The Steinsaltz Megillot Megillot Translation and Commentary Megillat Esther Commentary by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz Koren Publishers Jerusalem Editor in Chief Rabbi Jason Rappoport Copy Editors Caryn Meltz, Manager The Steinsaltz Megillot Aliza Israel, Consultant Esther Debbie Ismailoff, Senior Copy Editor Ita Olesker, Senior Copy Editor Commentary by Chava Boylan Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz Suri Brand Ilana Brown Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd. Carolyn Budow Ben-David POB 4044, Jerusalem 91040, ISRAEL Rachelle Emanuel POB 8531, New Milford, CT 06776, USA Charmaine Gruber Deborah Meghnagi Bailey www.korenpub.com Deena Nataf Dvora Rhein All rights reserved to Adin Steinsaltz © 2015, 2019 Elisheva Ruffer First edition 2019 Ilana Sobel Koren Tanakh Font © 1962, 2019 Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd. Maps Editors Koren Siddur Font and text design © 1981, 2019 Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd. Ilana Sobel, Map Curator Steinsaltz Center is the parent organization Rabbi Dr. Joshua Amaru, Senior Map Editor of institutions established by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz Rabbi Alan Haber POB 45187, Jerusalem 91450 ISRAEL Rabbi Aryeh Sklar Telephone: +972 2 646 0900, Fax +972 2 624 9454 www.steinsaltz-center.org Language Experts Dr. Stéphanie E. Binder, Greek & Latin Considerable research and expense have gone into the creation of this publication. Rabbi Yaakov Hoffman, Arabic Unauthorized copying may be considered geneivat da’at and breach of copyright law. Dr. Shai Secunda, Persian No part of this publication (content or design, including use of the Koren fonts) may Shira Shmidman, Aramaic be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embedded in critical articles or reviews.
    [Show full text]
  • Book of Nehemiah - Thorough
    Book of Nehemiah - Thorough In the earliest form of the Hebrew canon known to us the books of Ezra and Nehemiah were united in one, under the name of "The Book of Ezra." After a while, a division was made, and the two books which we now recognize were distinguished as "the First Book of Ezra" and "the Second Book of Ezra" Later still - probably not until toward the close of the fourth century - the Second Book of Ezra came to be known as "the Book of Nehemiah." The Book of Nehemiah is composed of four quite distinct sections: (1) Neh. 1-7 containing the record of the 20th year of Artaxerxes (or 445-444 B.C.), but composed by Nehemiah at least twelve years later Neh 5:14. (2) the second section of the work consists of Neh. 8-10, and contains a narrative of some events belonging to the autumn of 444 B.C. In this portion Nehemiah is spoken of in the third person; פחה he is called the Tirshatha (Neh. 8:9)," whereas in the earlier chapters his title is always pechâh ("governor") (Neh. 5:14); and Ezra holds the first and most prominent position. The style of this portion of the book is markedly different from that of the earlier and later chapters; and critics are generally agreed that it is NOT from the hand of Nehemiah. Some assign it to Ezra; others conjecture Zadok (or Zidkijah), Nehemiah's scribe or secretary Neh 13:13, to have been the author. (3) Neh. 11-12:26, which consists of six important lists.
    [Show full text]
  • Wordplay in Genesis 2:25-3:1 and He
    Vol. 42:1 (165) January – March 2014 WORDPLAY IN GENESIS 2:25-3:1 AND HE CALLED BY THE NAME OF THE LORD QUEEN ATHALIAH: THE DAUGHTER OF AHAB OR OMRI? YAH: A NAME OF GOD THE TRIAL OF JEREMIAH AND THE KILLING OF URIAH THE PROPHET SHEPHERDING AS A METAPHOR SAUL AND GENOCIDE SERAH BAT ASHER IN RABBINIC LITERATURE PROOFTEXT THAT ELKANAH RATHER THAN HANNAH CONSECRATED SAMUEL AS A NAZIRITE BOOK REVIEW: ONKELOS ON THE TORAH: UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE BOOK REVIEW: JPS BIBLE COMMENTARY: JONAH LETTER TO THE EDITOR www.jewishbible.org THE JEWISH BIBLE QUARTERLY In cooperation with THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE JEWISH AGENCY AIMS AND SCOPE The Jewish Bible Quarterly provides timely, authoritative studies on biblical themes. As the only Jewish-sponsored English-language journal devoted exclusively to the Bible, it is an essential source of information for anyone working in Bible studies. The Journal pub- lishes original articles, book reviews, a triennial calendar of Bible reading and correspond- ence. Publishers and authors: if you would like to propose a book for review, please send two review copies to BOOK REVIEW EDITOR, POB 29002, Jerusalem, Israel. Books will be reviewed at the discretion of the editorial staff. Review copies will not be returned. The Jewish Bible Quarterly (ISSN 0792-3910) is published in January, April, July and October by the Jewish Bible Association , POB 29002, Jerusalem, Israel, a registered Israe- li nonprofit association (#58-019-398-5). All subscriptions prepaid for complete volume year only. The subscription price for 2014 (volume 42) is $60. Our email address: [email protected] and our website: www.jewishbible.org .
    [Show full text]
  • March 25, 2018 ALWAYS LEARNING…EZRA/NEHEMIAH Lesson 10: Nehemiah 11-12
    March 25, 2018 ALWAYS LEARNING…EZRA/NEHEMIAH Lesson 10: Nehemiah 11-12 ICE BREAKER: Imagine that you could own any wild/exotic animal as a pet and you get to choose the one your going to own. Not to worry, this wild animal has suddenly become tame and house trained the moment it comes into your possession. What wild/exotic animal would you choose? ALWAYS LEARNING BY… I. Seeking God first. A. Take the time to read Psalm 100 aloud. Relish the words! II. Studying His Word (Who, What, Where, When, Why and How) A. How was it determined who would live in Jerusalem? B. Nehemiah 11:1 calls Jerusalem a “holy city”. This phrase is used here, in Nehemiah 1:18; in Isaiah 48:2 and in Isaiah 52:1. What can you learn from these references? C. What does the word “holy” mean? D. What can you learn about the different groups of people in these two chapters? (gatekeepers, etc.) E. What happened at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem? III. Searching Resources A. Look at some cross-references and commentaries to learn more about the priests and Levites. What did you learn? IV. Sharing with one another (Believers) A. I remember a friend telling me that when they moved to a new place they went through each room thanking the Lord for it and dedicating their new place to the Lord. Consider doing this with where you live now: whether it is a room, apartment, house or dorm room. V. Serving the Lord (Reaching the Unbelievers) A.
    [Show full text]
  • Nehemiah 10:28-39) “The Christian Should Never Worry About Tomorrow Or Give Sparingly Because of a Possible Future Need
    A Study of the Book of Nehemiah Calling for Dedication: Leading with Priorities (Nehemiah 10:28-39) “The Christian should never worry about tomorrow or give sparingly because of a possible future need. Only the present moment is ours to serve the Lord, and tomorrow may never come. Money is really worth no more than as it can be used to accomplish the Lord’s work. Life is worth as much as it is spent for the Lord’s service.” ~ George Muller I. Overview Upon rehearsing God’s faithfulness, compassion, and mercy throughout Israel’s history in chapter 9, the Israelites respond with gratitude, repentance, and commitment. There is a reversal of priorities as the people dedicate themselves to the Lord. In so doing, the Israelites make an oath with the Lord that entails specific applications of the Law. They establish concrete ways in which they can walk in obedience to the Lord. II. Declaring an Oath of Obedience (10:28-39) A. Overview of the Oath (vv. 28-29) There are 84 individuals who sign this oath (Neh 10:1-27). These signers include twenty- two priests, seventeen Levites, and forty-four leaders of the people. v. 28 - After a list of signatories to this oath, the text resumes and fills out the declaration made in 9:38. The list indicates that all ages who could understand are sharing in this oath. The list also “portrays the people as an ordered company, enrolled in its traditional groups” (Kidner, Ezra, Nehemiah, 115). “The curse and an oath” implies that the Israelites “recognize the justice of incurring the wrath of heaven should they depart from the commitment they now give” (McConville, Ezra and Nehemiah, 130).
    [Show full text]
  • Ezra Commentaries
    Ezra Commentaries 2 CHRONICLES NEHEMIAH Ezra Reads the Law to the People by Gustave Doré Click charts to enlarge Charts from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Introduction and Chart of Ezra - Swindoll The Persian Empire at the Time of Ezra c. 458 B.C. During the time of Ezra the Persian Empire had reached its greatest extent, engulfing nearly the entire Near East. In 539 B.C. the Persians under Cyrus the Great defeated the Babylonians and absorbed their territory into the empire, including the lands of Israel and Judah (known as Beyond the River). The next year Cyrus allowed the people of Judah to return home under the leadership of Zerubbabel and rebuild the temple of the Lord. Later, around 458 B.C., another group of Judean exiles returned under Ezra’s leadership. (ESV.org) Kings of Persia Mentioned in Ezra–Nehemiah Cyrus 539–530 B.C. Darius I 522–486 Xerxes (Ahasuerus) 485–464 Artaxerxes I 464–423 EZRA RESOURCES Esther Commentary, Sermon, Illustration, Devotional CHRONOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIP OF EZRA-NEHEMIAH-ESTHER 538-515BC 483-473BC 457BC 444-425BC Ezra 1-6 Book of Esther Ezra 7-10 Book of Nehemiah 13 Year Second Return First Return Third Return 58 Year of Jews from Gap of Jews from of Jews from Gap Babylonian Babylonian Exile Babylonian Exile Exile EZRA: RESTORATION AND REFORM Restoration of the Temple Reform of the People Under Zerubbabel Under Ezra First Return Construction of Second Return Restoration To Jerusalem The Temple to Jerusalem of the People Ezra 1:1-Ezra 2:70 Ezra 3:1-Ezra 6:22 Ezra 7:1-8:36 Ezra 9:1-Ezra 10:44 First Return Second Return of 49, 897 of 1754 22 Years 1 Year (538-516BC) (458-457BC) Key Passages: Ezra 1:3, Ezra 2:2, Ezra 6:21, 22, Ezra 7:10 Key Words: Went up (Ezra 1:11, 7:1, 6, 7, 8:1), Jerusalem (48x), Decree (17x), House of the LORD (Ezra 1:3, 5, 7, 2:68, 3:8, 11, 7:27, 8:29), Law (...of the LORD, ...of Moses, ...of God) (Ezra 3:2, 7:6, 10, 12, 14, 21, 26, 10:3) CHRONOLOGY OF EZRA Cyrus king of Persia captures Babylon 539 B.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Nehemiah 10 I
    The Covenant Sealed Chapter Outline Nehemiah 10 I. Confirmation: Nehemiah 10:1-31 A. Signers: Nehemiah 10:1-27 B. Sincerity: Nehemiah 10:28-31 Nehemiah 10:1-31 Confirmation: II. Commitment: Nehemiah 10:32-39 Signers A. Ordinances: Nehemiah 10:32-33 The Jews were in the middle of a revival and in B. Obligation: Nehemiah 10:34-39 this chapter we find them making a commitment to serve the LORD. This was due to the reading of God’s Word, which produced conviction that led to confession resulting in commitment (Hebrews 4:12). Together, they made a covenant before the LORD to follow after His ways. The importance placed on this covenant is seen in the fact that the entire nation sealed it, with the rulers leading the way. It was a great day in the land, God's people looked to Him (Psalm 105:4). Those in positions of leadership led the way in following the Word of God, with Nehemiah going out in front. His example encouraged others to follow the LORD. God fearing rulers are a blessing to those they lead. Next we find the priests were listed, a total of 17. These descendants of Levi and Aaron were responsible for serving the LORD in the temple. By joining Nehemiah in sealing the covenant they helped unite the nation after the LORD. The Levites were also involved in the signing, 21 total. They were descendants of Levi but not Aaron, so they worked in the temple but were not involved with the “The greatest and best men in sacrifices.
    [Show full text]
  • Nehemiah 10:1-39 – Study Leader’S Questions 1
    Nehemiah 10:1-39 – Study Leader’s Questions 1. What was done by the people named in Nehemiah 10:1-27? What is the significance of this act? 2. What do the four phrases used to describe the Word of God mean (Nehemiah 10:29)? 2.1. The Law 2.2. The Commandments 2.3. The Regulations, ordinances 2.4. The Decrees, statutes? 3. What did they promise to do in Nehemiah 10:30? In what ways should we follow their example? 4. What promises did they make in Nehemiah 10:31? In what ways should we follow their exam- ple? 5. What areas of life were affected by their covenant with God? 6. In what concrete ways did the people plan to show their devotion to God (Nehemiah 10:39)? In what ways should we follow their example? 7. Why does God desire the first and best of our resources (Nehemiah 10:35-37)? 8. What principles from Israel’s covenant with God are applicable today? 2 Nehemiah 10:1-39 – Answers to Questions See Dr Ruckman’s commentary The Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther pp 301-312 and the Ruckman Reference Bible pp 708-709 for detailed comments, especially on the recurrence of Old Testament names; “Jeremiah,” “Obadiah,” “Daniel,” “Baruch,” “Benjamin,” “Adonijah, “Zadok” Nehe- miah 10:2, 5, 6, 7, 16, 21 indicating a future return of Old Testament times and the full restoration of Israel. 1. What was done by the people named in Nehemiah 10:1-27? What is the significance of this act? They “separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God” according to “knowledge, and...understanding” Nehemiah 10:28.
    [Show full text]
  • Leaders Guide Nehemiah 10
    Change is dicult for most of us. We spend a lot of time ghting against it. Think about a time when you had to make a change you did not want to make. What was the outcome? Are you better for it? If not, why not? QUESTIONS We have looked at the people in Jerusalem rebuilding the wall, being convicted of their sins, listening to the word for many hours and making agreements to change. This week, we see the people committing to these changes. Read Nehemiah 9:38, 10:28-39. 1) The people of Jerusalem were looking change right in the face. They had been through a lot while rebuilding the wall. They were now faced with evaluating who they were and who they wanted to become. What changes were going to be required of them? a. They had to move beyond believing in God to living for Him. b. They had to obey God. c. They were going to have to move from their complacency to people of action for God. d. They had to begin again to support the synagogue. e. They had to reorder their priorities. f. They were to begin to identify themselves as people of God, a people set apart. 2) The people were called to identify themselves as people of God, set apart. What would that require? a. Honor God in their marriages. Not to be unequally yoked. b. Honor God by observing the Sabbath. A weekly reminder that they were the people of God and that they should protect their identity as God’s people from being diluted by those who do not believe in the same God, thus changing who God is to the Jewish people.
    [Show full text]
  • Ezra/Nehemiah Introduction the Story of the Return of the Exiled from Babylon in 538 BCE Is Told in Ezra/Nehemiah
    Ezra/Nehemiah Introduction The story of the return of the exiled from Babylon in 538 BCE is told in Ezra/Nehemiah. Cyrus granted permission to a select group of exiles to return to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. These two books, in Hebrew Scriptures, ought to be considered as one book by readers, since it is only when these are read together that one gains information concerning the re-establishment, not only of the temple and temple worship but also about the structure of the community during this difficult time. In Hebrew Scriptures they are written as one book, though in translation they generally appear, as in our English Bibles, as two distinct books. Tradition says they were written by the Chronicler (i.e. the writer of I & II Chronicles). Whether this is true is not clear to scholars, though many feel that a chronicler did a compilation from a number of different sources to form the books of Ezra/Nehemiah. Why did Cyrus permit the return of some of the exiles? Jeremiah had set a prophetic time limit for the exiles but it is doubtful that Cyrus ever heard about it. Perhaps Cyrus felt he needed all the help he could get and by rebuilding the temple he would curry the favor of the God of Jerusalem, thus strengthening his rule. A reference is made in the footnotes to the Elephantine Papyrus. Additional examination of that text, written in Egypt, finds that the names of several persons in Nehemiah are referred to in the Elephantine Papyrus. Brief quotations of Ezra/Nehemiah are found in the Dead Sea Scrolls found in cave 4, numbered as 4QEzra, quoting Ezra 4:2 - 6; 9 - 11; 5:17 - 6:5.
    [Show full text]
  • Ezra Nehemiah
    VOLUME 11 OLD TESTAMENT NEW COLLEGEVILLE THE BIBLE COMMENTARY EZRA NEHEMIAH Thomas M. Bolin SERIES EDITOR Daniel Durken, O.S.B. LITURGICAL PRESS Collegeville, Minnesota www.litpress.org Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert C. Harren, J.C.L. Imprimatur: W Most Reverend John F. Kinney, J.C.D., D.D., Bishop of Saint Cloud, Minnesota, December 12, 2011. Design by Ann Blattner. Cover illustration: Square Before the Watergate by Hazel Dolby. Copyright 2010 The Saint John’s Bible, Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Photos: pages 20, 24, Wikimedia Commons; page 80, Thinkstock.com. Maps on pages 110 and 111 created by Robert Cronan of Lucidity Design, LLC. Scripture texts used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edi- tion © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. © 2012 by Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, microfilm, micro fiche, mechanical recording, photocopying, translation, or by any other means, known or yet unknown, for any purpose except brief quotations in reviews, without the previous written permission of Liturgical Press, Saint John’s Abbey, P.O. Box 7500, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321-7500. Printed in the United States of America. 123456789 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Bolin, Thomas M.
    [Show full text]
  • The Book of Nehemiah 1 the Words of Nehemiah the Son of Hachaliah
    Nehemiah 1:1 1 Nehemiah 1:9 The Book of Nehemiah 1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. 4 ¶ And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, 5 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: 6 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. 7 We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. 8 Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: 9 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 Nehemiah 1:10 2 Nehemiah 2:7 from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.
    [Show full text]