"It seems odd that the awareness of God, or even the people of God, brings out the worst in some people. God, the source of all goodness and blessing and joy, at times becomes the occasion for nearly unimaginable acts of cruelty, atrocity, and evil."
~Eugene Peterson
King Xerxes ruled from India to Ethopia and his palace was in Susa. In his 3rd year of reigning these 127 provinces, he held a banquet for all the officials and ministers. Military personnel from Persia and Media were also invited as well as each prince and governor from each province. Xerxes showcased his palace for 6 mths and thew a party for everyone in Susa that lasted an entire week. The kings summer house was the location of the party and no expense was spared. White and blue linen curtains w/ purple and silver cords lined the marble columns in the courtyard. Couches made of silver and gold rested on beautiful mosaic pavement consisting of porphyry, marble, mother of pearl, and a variety of colored stones. The guests could drink as much wine as they wanted with wait staff readily available. However, Queen Vashti (wife to Xerxes), threw her own party for women inside the palace. A drunken king Xerxes had his 7 personal servants, all eunuchs, bring him his queen wearing her royal crown b/c he wanted to show her off. Vashti refused, which angered the king. Xerxes summoned his counsel, which consisted of the 7 highest ranking princes in Persia and Media. His counselors were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. King Xerxes wanted to see if there was anything legal he could do to Vashti for denying his request. Memucan stated, "It's not only the king Queen Vashti insulted, it's all of us, leaders and people alike in every last one of king Xerxes' provinces...when the women hear if they'll start treating their husbands with contempt...is this what we want, a country of angry women who don't know their place?" In my opinion, Memucan needs a good slap for that comment. King Xerxes liked what Memucan proposed so he recorded in the laws of Persia and Medes that queen Vashti was permanently banned from his presence and her royal position would be given to a woman who knew her place. A notice was sent to each province stating men were the master of the house. Xerxes regretted his decision once he cooled off. His attendants began searching for virgins to present to the king and had officials from each province bring them to Susa. Hegai, one of the kings eunuchs, would be in charge of the women and would make sure they did their beauty treatments in order to look their best when presented to the king.
Mordecai was a Benjamanite, who lived in the palace in Susa. His ancestors were taken from Jerusalem with the exiled Israelites and carried off with King Jehoiachin of Judah by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon into exile. Mordecai raised his cousin Hadassah, otherwise known as Esther. When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her and raised her as his own daughter. Esther was one of the beautiful women given to Hegai for Xerxes. Hegai favored Esther and started her beauty treatments, ordered food, and even gave her 7 maids from the palace. She was given the best room to stay in as well. However, Esther didn't reveal her Jewish background as advised by Modecai, who checked on her daily. After each girl completed 1 year of beauty treatments, they were allowed to see king Xerxes. I wonder what the beauty treatments consisted of...laser hair removal, permanent make up, botox? Just kidding :) The ladies endured 6 months of myrrh oil treatments initially and then 6 months with perfume and various cosmetics (http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-myrrh-essential-oil.html). When it was time for the girl to go to the king, she was given whatever she wanted to take with her when she left the harem for the king's quarters. She would go there in the evening. Come morning, she would return to a second harem overseen by Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch in charge of the concubines. Unless the king liked you and asked specifically for you, you'd never go back to the king. When it was Esther's turn, she didn't take anything that Hegai didn't suggest and was taken to the royal palace in the tenth month in the seventh year of the king's reign. Xerxes fell in love with her and was crazy about her. He put a crown on her head and she was made queen. A banquet was held in her honor and a holiday was proclaimed in all provinces and gifts were given out. Although it was a time of celebration, Bigthana and Teresh, 2 of the kings eunuchs who guarded the entrance of the kings gate, schemed up a plan to kill Xerxes. Guess who just happened to be sitting close by...Mordecai! Mordecai told Esther the plan and she reported to Xerxes. The 2 eunuchs were hanged after further investigation was completed.
King Xerxes made Haman the highest ranking official in the government and commanded his servants to bow down before him. Mordecai refused and the kings servants asked him over and over why he wouldn't. They ended up going to Haman and he was outraged by Mordecai's disobedience. In the meantime he also learned Mordecai's ethnic background. From that moment on, Haman began looking for a way to eliminate Jews, including Mordecai, throughout Xerxes' kingdom. Haman went straight to king Xerxes and spoke badly about the Jews. He told the king the Jews were odd, explained how different their customs were, and tattled about their disregard for the kings laws. Haman told Xerxes the Jews weren't to be tolerated and asked if he could take them out. He even volunteered to fund the operation himself putting 375 tons of silver in the royal bank. Xerxes gave Haman his signet (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/signet) and told him to do what he wanted. The king's secretaries wrote up a bulletin and couriers set out for all the provinces in Xerxes' kingdom. The bulletin stated the elimination of all Jews all in one day-the 13th day of the 12th month (Adar:the sixth month of the civil year; the twelfth month of the ecclesiastic year in the Jewish calendar (in February and March)).
Mordecai ripped his clothes and dressed in sackcloth and ashes when he learned of Haman's execution plan. He cried loudly in the streets and went only a little ways from the kings gate for no one wearing sackcloth was allowed to enter. The Jews of the land wept and fasted. One of Esther's maids and eunuchs informed her of this terrible event and she was completely shocked. Mordecai didn't accept the clean clothes she sent to him. Hathach, Esther's royal eunuch, was sent to Mordecai to get the scoop. Hathach learned of the money Haman was depositing and also retrieved a copy of the bulletin. Mordecai wanted Esther to go on behalf of the Jews to the king and plead for their lives. She reported back to him that the penalty to an uninvited visit to the king was death. Mordecai, through Hathach, sent her a message saying, "Don't think that just because you live in the king's house you're the one Jew who will get out of this alive. If you persist in staying silent at a time like this, help and deliverance will arrive for the Jews from someplace else; but you and your family will be wiped out. Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for such a time as this." Esther's answer to Mordecai was to gather all the Jews living in Susa and instruct them to fast. They weren't to eat or drink for 3 whole days. Esther and her maids would also fast. If everyone did this, she'd go to the king.
Three days passed and Esther dressed in royal attire and took a seat in the inner court in front of the kings throne room. Xerxes was on his throne facing the entrance and was pleased to see her. She approached him and touched his golden scepter. Xerxes asked,"And what's your desire Queen Esther? What do you want? Ask and it's yours-even if it's half my kingdom!" Esther replied, "If it may please the king, let the king come with Haman to a dinner I've prepared for him." The king and Haman joined Esther for dinner that evening. Xerxes asked Esther again waht she wanted and she suggested they come the next night and she'd give him a straight answer. Haman was carefree when he left the palace, then saw Mordecai by the kings gate. Holding in his anger, he went home and bragged about his wealth, his sons, and being honored by the king. He even boasted about their dinner with Esther but claimed he couldn't enjoy anything because of Mordecai. Zeresh, Haman's wife, and his friends suggested building a 75 ft gallow and speak to Xerxes in the morning about getting an order for Mordecai's death and then he would have a good time at dinner.
That night, Xerxes was restless and couldn't sleep. The day to day journal of events were read to him and the story about Mordecai exposing the plot of Xerxes' death was told. The king asked if he'd been given anything in honor of this and his servants said no. Xerxes asked if anyone was out in the court and just about the time is when Haman came into the outer court of his palace to talk to him about the hanging. His servants told him Haman was there and Xerxes asked,"What would be appropriate for the man the king especially wants to honor?" Haman, extremely full of himself, assumed the king was referring to him so he said the man should get a royal robe worn by the king. He should also receive a horse ridden by the king and then given the robe and the horse to the kings most noble prince. He would then robe the man who was to be honored and the prince should lead him on horseback through the city, proclaiming his honor. Delighted, the king told Haman to not waste any time and do what he proposed to Mordecai. Haman did this promptly, then fled to his home in shame. Haman told Zeresh and his friends. Zeresh said,"If this Mordecai is in fact a Jew, your bad luck has only begun. You don't stand a chance against him. You're as good as ruined."
At the second dinner with Esther, she told the king, "If I have found favor in your eyes, O King, and if it please the king, give me my life, and give my people their lives. We've been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed-sold to be massacred, eliminated. If we had just been sold into slavery, I wouldn't even have brought it up; our troubles wouldn't have been worth bothering the king over." Upon hearing this, Xerxes exploded with anger asking who could've possible done this. Um, hello you told Haman he could do this! Must've had a brain fart. Anyway, Esther told Xerxes it was Haman. I'm sure Haman wanted to crawl in a hole and die at this point. Xerxes stormed out into the garden and Haman pleaded with Esther for his life. Xerxes walked in seeing him grovel and shouted,"Will he even molest the Queen while I'm just around the corner?" Just then Harbona, one of the king's eunuchs, exclaimed,"Look over there! There's the gallows that Haman built for Mordecai, who saved the kings life." Xerxes wanted Haman hanged on them so that's what happened.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Day 36
The priests and Levites purified themselves for the dedication of the wall around Jerusalem. They did the same for the people of Israel, the gates, and the wall. Nehemiah called the leaders of Judah up and made 2 large groups and placed them in specific areas around the wall.
Before Nehemiah's time in Jerusalem, Eliashib (a priest), had been appointed as supervisor of the storerooms of the Temple of our God and was also a relative of Tobiah. Eliashib converted a large storage room and placed it at Tobiah’s disposal, which had previously been used to store grain offering ingredients, incense, worship vessels, and the tithes of grain, wine, and oil for Levites, singers, security guards, and offerings for priests. On the day of dedication, men were chosen to be in charge of the offering storeroom, first fruits, and tithes. It was their duty to make sure the amount stated in the Book of Revelation for priests and Levites was brought from farms in association with the towns. A daily allowance was given to singers and security guards. Zerubbabel and Nehemiah also set aside what went to the Levites and they followed suit for the Aaronites.
Nehemiah traveled to Babylon in Artexerxes' 32 yr of reigning but eventually came back to Jerusalem. When Nehemiah learned of Eliashib's evil act, he was really angry. Nehemiah threw everything belonging to Tobiah in the street and demanded the rooms be purified. He brought back the articles for God’s Temple, the grain offerings, and the frankincense. Nehemiah also learned the Levites didn't receive their portion of food so they went back to their farms along w/ the singers. He confronted the city officials and asked them why the Temple had been abandoned. All the Levites were brought back again and given their proper duties. The people of Judah began bringing their tithes of grain, new wine, and olive oil to the Temple storerooms. Shelemiah (a priest), Zadok (a scribe), and Pedaiah (a Levite) were put in charge of the storeroom because of their excellent reputations. It was their job to make sure their fellow Levites got what they needed.
Nehemiah also discovered people were selling items, treading wine presses, and loading up supplies on the Sabbath. The leaders of Judah were confronted once again. Nehemiah ordered doors be shut and not opened until the end of the Sabbath day. Some of Nehemiah's servants were placed at the various gates to insure nothing was sold. The Levites cleansed themselves and assumed guardianship of the gates to keep the Sabbath holy. Nehemiah learned Jews married women from Ashdod, Amnon, and Moab even though they weren't supposed to. Their offspring knew the Ashdod language but couldn't speak the language of Judah at all. He gave these men what was coming to them by yelling at them, slapping others, and jerked the rest of them around by their hair. Nehemiah made them swear to God: "Don't marry your daughters to their sons; and don't let their daughters marry your sons—and don't you yourselves marry them!" He went on to say, "Didn't Solomon the king of Israel sin because of women just like these? Even though there was no king quite like him, and God loved him and made him king over all Israel, foreign women were his downfall. Do you call this obedience—engaging in this extensive evil, showing yourselves faithless to God by marrying foreign wives?" Nehemiah cleansed the men from everything foreign.
Before Nehemiah's time in Jerusalem, Eliashib (a priest), had been appointed as supervisor of the storerooms of the Temple of our God and was also a relative of Tobiah. Eliashib converted a large storage room and placed it at Tobiah’s disposal, which had previously been used to store grain offering ingredients, incense, worship vessels, and the tithes of grain, wine, and oil for Levites, singers, security guards, and offerings for priests. On the day of dedication, men were chosen to be in charge of the offering storeroom, first fruits, and tithes. It was their duty to make sure the amount stated in the Book of Revelation for priests and Levites was brought from farms in association with the towns. A daily allowance was given to singers and security guards. Zerubbabel and Nehemiah also set aside what went to the Levites and they followed suit for the Aaronites.
Nehemiah traveled to Babylon in Artexerxes' 32 yr of reigning but eventually came back to Jerusalem. When Nehemiah learned of Eliashib's evil act, he was really angry. Nehemiah threw everything belonging to Tobiah in the street and demanded the rooms be purified. He brought back the articles for God’s Temple, the grain offerings, and the frankincense. Nehemiah also learned the Levites didn't receive their portion of food so they went back to their farms along w/ the singers. He confronted the city officials and asked them why the Temple had been abandoned. All the Levites were brought back again and given their proper duties. The people of Judah began bringing their tithes of grain, new wine, and olive oil to the Temple storerooms. Shelemiah (a priest), Zadok (a scribe), and Pedaiah (a Levite) were put in charge of the storeroom because of their excellent reputations. It was their job to make sure their fellow Levites got what they needed.
Nehemiah also discovered people were selling items, treading wine presses, and loading up supplies on the Sabbath. The leaders of Judah were confronted once again. Nehemiah ordered doors be shut and not opened until the end of the Sabbath day. Some of Nehemiah's servants were placed at the various gates to insure nothing was sold. The Levites cleansed themselves and assumed guardianship of the gates to keep the Sabbath holy. Nehemiah learned Jews married women from Ashdod, Amnon, and Moab even though they weren't supposed to. Their offspring knew the Ashdod language but couldn't speak the language of Judah at all. He gave these men what was coming to them by yelling at them, slapping others, and jerked the rest of them around by their hair. Nehemiah made them swear to God: "Don't marry your daughters to their sons; and don't let their daughters marry your sons—and don't you yourselves marry them!" He went on to say, "Didn't Solomon the king of Israel sin because of women just like these? Even though there was no king quite like him, and God loved him and made him king over all Israel, foreign women were his downfall. Do you call this obedience—engaging in this extensive evil, showing yourselves faithless to God by marrying foreign wives?" Nehemiah cleansed the men from everything foreign.
Day 35
Sanballet and the rest of the people w/ him sent Nehemiah a message to meet w/ them at Kephirim in Ono Valley. Knowing he would be harmed, Nehemiah's messengers replied he was too busy working. The 5th time of playing cat and mouse, Sanballet suggested the Jews were going to rebel, which is why the wall was being repaired. Rumor had it that Nehemiah wanted to be king but he set the story straight. Shemaiah met w/ Nehemiah and he knew he wasn't sent by God because of his suggestion to use the Temple as a hideout. Surely he was sent by Sanballet.
They wall was completed after 52 days. Nehemiah and the Jews didn't receive anymore threats. Hanini was appointed by Nehemiah along with Hananiah, captain of the citadel, to be in charge of Jerusalem. Nehemiah's order was that the city gates stay closed until the sun came up. The guards on duty were to bar the gates.
The people of Israel gathered around the town square and asked Ezra to bring the Book of the Revelation of Moses. Ezra read the book to them from early in the day until noon. They all listened intently. The Israelites wept and worhiped God for it was a holy day. Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites explained the text to the people and made sure they understood. The Book of Revelation commanded they live in booths during the 7 month festival. The people set out to find branches and made booths on their roofs, in courtyards, and in the Temple courtyard. They celebrated for 7 days. On the 24th day, the congregation fasted, dressed in burlap, and covered their faces in burlap as a sign of repentance. They broke ties with foreigners and confessed their sin.
The leaders of the people of Israel were living in Jerusalem, so the rest of them drew lots to get 1 out of 10 to move there. The other 9 remained where they were. When the city wall was to be dedicated, the Levites were summoned from their homes to carry out thanksgiving hymns and songs. Cymbals, harps, and lutes were played.
They wall was completed after 52 days. Nehemiah and the Jews didn't receive anymore threats. Hanini was appointed by Nehemiah along with Hananiah, captain of the citadel, to be in charge of Jerusalem. Nehemiah's order was that the city gates stay closed until the sun came up. The guards on duty were to bar the gates.
The people of Israel gathered around the town square and asked Ezra to bring the Book of the Revelation of Moses. Ezra read the book to them from early in the day until noon. They all listened intently. The Israelites wept and worhiped God for it was a holy day. Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites explained the text to the people and made sure they understood. The Book of Revelation commanded they live in booths during the 7 month festival. The people set out to find branches and made booths on their roofs, in courtyards, and in the Temple courtyard. They celebrated for 7 days. On the 24th day, the congregation fasted, dressed in burlap, and covered their faces in burlap as a sign of repentance. They broke ties with foreigners and confessed their sin.
The leaders of the people of Israel were living in Jerusalem, so the rest of them drew lots to get 1 out of 10 to move there. The other 9 remained where they were. When the city wall was to be dedicated, the Levites were summoned from their homes to carry out thanksgiving hymns and songs. Cymbals, harps, and lutes were played.
Day 34
High priest Eliashib and his fellow priests repaired the sheep gate and hung the doors on it. After that was completed, they went to work on the Tower of the Hundred (one of the towers in the Jerusalem wall) and Hananel. The Hassenaah brothers worked on the fish gate. Meremoth, Meshullam, Zadok, and the Tekoites worked hand in hand with them. Meshullam and Joida worked on the Jeshanah Gate. Melatiah, Jadon, and men from Gideon and Mizpah worked with them. They also had help from Uzziel (goldsmith guild) and Hananiah (a perfumer). Collectively, they rebuilt the Jerusalem wall as far as the broad wall.
Rephaiah, mayor of a half district in Jerusalem, worked w/ Jedaiah and Hattush to rebuilt the front of his house. The tower of furnaces was worked on by Malkijah. Shallum was mayor over the other half district of Jerusalem and had help from his daughters in working on the project. Hanun with the help of people from Zanoah rebuilt the valley gate and also repaired 1500 ft of wall all the way to the dung gate. Malkijah repaired the dung gate and Shallum rebuilt the fountain gate as well as the wall of the pool of siloam at the kings garden. Nehemiah, mayor of half the district of Beth Zur, worked from the tomb of David to the house of heroes. Levites under Rehum worked alongside Hashabiah, mayor over half the district of Keilah. The Levite brother worked next to them under Binnui, mayor of the other half of Keilah.
Ezer rebuilt the section in front of the ascent to the armory as far as the angle. Baruch rebuilt from the angle to the door of the house of Eliashib. Meremoth started at Eliashib's door to the end of the house and priests went on from there. Benjamin, Azariah, and Hasshub worked on the section of wall in front of their homes. Binnui worked on the section by Azariah's house to the angle at the corner. Palal worked on the section opposite the angle and the projecting tower from the upper palace near the court of the guard. Alongside Palal, was Pedaiah and the temple support staff. They worked up to the section opposite the water gate east of the projecting tower. Men from Tekoa worked on the section of wall by the projecting tower to the ophel wall. Priests worked above the horse gate and repaired the wall in front of each of their houses. The next section was worked on by Zadok, Shemaiah Hananiah then Meshullam. Malkijah repaired the wall as far as the house for the temple support staff up to the inspection gate to the upper room at the corner.
While all this building was happening, Sanballet was extremely angry. His colleagues had the same feelings. Nehemiah prayed to God because he knew people hated what they were trying to accomplish. Because the workers were diligent, the whole wall was joined together and halfway to its intended height by this point. Sanballet, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites decided to join forces and go to battle against Jerusalem. Nehemiah again prayed to God. Armed guards were stationed around vulnerable places around the city wall and Nehemiah told everyone, even nobles and officials to not be afraid and fight for their families. The guards were on duty around the clock. Word spread quickly throughout Judah that the builders were exhausted and were too stressed to continue working, but despite that the laborers kept on working. Half of the laborers worked while the others stood guard with lances, shields, bows, and mail armor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_%28armour%29). Military officers were back up for everyone rebuilding the wall. Common laborers worked with one hand and a weapon in the other. Every builder wore a knife strapped to his side and Nehemiah kept a trumpet by him in case of emergency. When the workers heard the trumpet, they were all supposed to gather together.
The people began to protest. Some said they needed food for their large families while others stated they were having to mortgage homes, fields, and vineyards to get enough grain to keep them from starvation. Some people had to sell their children into slavery. Nehemiah grew very angry as he listened to their complaints and told nobles and officials, "Each one of you is gouging his brother." A meeting was called by Nehemiah and he told the people what they were doing was wrong and asked if they still feared God. He asked them if they cared what their enemy nations thought. Nehemiah told the nobles and officials and everyone present to give the homes, fields, and vineyards back and forgive their claims on money, grain, wine, and olive oil. They agreed and gave it back. The priests were gathered and made a covenant with Nehemiah.
From the time Artaxerxes appointed Nehemiah governor of Judah, neither Nehemiah nor his brothers used the food allowance. In 12 years, previous governors oppressed the people by taxing 40 shekels of silver a day for food and wine. Nehemiah had more important things to accomplish and fed 150 Jews and officials as well as some people from other surrounding areas. One ox, 6 sheep, and chickens were prepared daily and wine was delivered every 10 days.
Rephaiah, mayor of a half district in Jerusalem, worked w/ Jedaiah and Hattush to rebuilt the front of his house. The tower of furnaces was worked on by Malkijah. Shallum was mayor over the other half district of Jerusalem and had help from his daughters in working on the project. Hanun with the help of people from Zanoah rebuilt the valley gate and also repaired 1500 ft of wall all the way to the dung gate. Malkijah repaired the dung gate and Shallum rebuilt the fountain gate as well as the wall of the pool of siloam at the kings garden. Nehemiah, mayor of half the district of Beth Zur, worked from the tomb of David to the house of heroes. Levites under Rehum worked alongside Hashabiah, mayor over half the district of Keilah. The Levite brother worked next to them under Binnui, mayor of the other half of Keilah.
Ezer rebuilt the section in front of the ascent to the armory as far as the angle. Baruch rebuilt from the angle to the door of the house of Eliashib. Meremoth started at Eliashib's door to the end of the house and priests went on from there. Benjamin, Azariah, and Hasshub worked on the section of wall in front of their homes. Binnui worked on the section by Azariah's house to the angle at the corner. Palal worked on the section opposite the angle and the projecting tower from the upper palace near the court of the guard. Alongside Palal, was Pedaiah and the temple support staff. They worked up to the section opposite the water gate east of the projecting tower. Men from Tekoa worked on the section of wall by the projecting tower to the ophel wall. Priests worked above the horse gate and repaired the wall in front of each of their houses. The next section was worked on by Zadok, Shemaiah Hananiah then Meshullam. Malkijah repaired the wall as far as the house for the temple support staff up to the inspection gate to the upper room at the corner.
While all this building was happening, Sanballet was extremely angry. His colleagues had the same feelings. Nehemiah prayed to God because he knew people hated what they were trying to accomplish. Because the workers were diligent, the whole wall was joined together and halfway to its intended height by this point. Sanballet, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites decided to join forces and go to battle against Jerusalem. Nehemiah again prayed to God. Armed guards were stationed around vulnerable places around the city wall and Nehemiah told everyone, even nobles and officials to not be afraid and fight for their families. The guards were on duty around the clock. Word spread quickly throughout Judah that the builders were exhausted and were too stressed to continue working, but despite that the laborers kept on working. Half of the laborers worked while the others stood guard with lances, shields, bows, and mail armor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_%28armour%29). Military officers were back up for everyone rebuilding the wall. Common laborers worked with one hand and a weapon in the other. Every builder wore a knife strapped to his side and Nehemiah kept a trumpet by him in case of emergency. When the workers heard the trumpet, they were all supposed to gather together.
The people began to protest. Some said they needed food for their large families while others stated they were having to mortgage homes, fields, and vineyards to get enough grain to keep them from starvation. Some people had to sell their children into slavery. Nehemiah grew very angry as he listened to their complaints and told nobles and officials, "Each one of you is gouging his brother." A meeting was called by Nehemiah and he told the people what they were doing was wrong and asked if they still feared God. He asked them if they cared what their enemy nations thought. Nehemiah told the nobles and officials and everyone present to give the homes, fields, and vineyards back and forgive their claims on money, grain, wine, and olive oil. They agreed and gave it back. The priests were gathered and made a covenant with Nehemiah.
From the time Artaxerxes appointed Nehemiah governor of Judah, neither Nehemiah nor his brothers used the food allowance. In 12 years, previous governors oppressed the people by taxing 40 shekels of silver a day for food and wine. Nehemiah had more important things to accomplish and fed 150 Jews and officials as well as some people from other surrounding areas. One ox, 6 sheep, and chickens were prepared daily and wine was delivered every 10 days.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Day 33
Ezra was a well educated man, who knew the Revelation of Moses well. God's hand was over him and king Artaxerxes found favor in him. Priests, singers, Levites, temple slaves, and temple security guards went with Ezra to Jerusalem. This was in Artaxerxes' 7th year of reigning.
Artaxerxes wrote Ezra a letter explaining his approval of this voyage. He gave him silver, gold, and donated offerings to purchase bulls, rams, lambs, and other ingredients for offerings. When they arrived, they waited 3 days then silver, gold, and vessels were weighed. Eleazar, Levites Jozabad and Noadiah, and Meremoth the priest did the sorting. The Israelites who were once exiled offered a whole burnt offering to God, which included 12 bulls, 96 rams, and 77 goats. Twelve goats were also sacrificed for an absolution offering. The leaders came to Ezra and told him the people of Israel hadn't kept distance from their neighbors with all their pagan ideas (Caananites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites). Some daughters married into their families and when Ezra learned this happened, he ripped his clothes in distress!!! He even pulled out some of his hair. During the evening sacrifice, Ezra dropped to his knees and prayed to God. He was so ashamed by what the Israelites did and their sin was so abundant. They threw God's commands to the wind and did what they wanted. Ezra asked God if he was angry enough to wipe the Israelites out completely. As Ezra prayed, a large number of people gathered around him. Shecaniah spoke on their behalf and admitted what they did, saying not all hope was list. He suggested making a promise to God agreeing to do away with all the wives and children. Ezra took initiative and had all the Israelite leaders, priests, Levies, and the people of Israel swear to carry out what Shecaniah proposed.
A summons was sent out for all those exiled throughout Judah and Jerusalem to meet in Jerusalem. If they weren't there within 3 days, the person's possessions would be taken away and given to those who were previously exiled. All the men from Judah and Benjamin arrived in time and were anxiously aggravated about the relentless rain. Ezra stood before them and urged them to confess and separate from their foreign wives. The whole group of men said they'd obey. The men suggested their leaders act on their behalf and have everyone who lives in the cities come at a specific time since there was so many people and it was the rainy season. Elders and judges from that city would come with them. The only people who opposed this plan were Jonathan and Jahzeiah. The plan was put into action and Ezra chose family heads and sat down with them on the 1st day of the 10th month. By the first day of the 1st month, they were finished going through all the men who took a foreign wife. The men all promised to divorce their wives and this was sealed by a handshake. Because of their guilt, they sacrificed a ram for a compensation offering.
Work, by it's very nature, is holy. The biblical story is dominated by people who have jobs in gardening, shepherding, the military, politics, carpentry, tent making, homemaking, fishing, and more. Nehemiah is one of these. He started out as a government worker in the employ of a foreign king. The he became-and this is the work he tells us in these memoirs-a building contractor, called into rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem."
~Eugene Peterson
In the month of Kislev (http://www.inner.org/times/kislev/kislev.htm) in the 20th year, Nehemiah was in the palace complex at Susa, where he worked as a cup bearer. His brother, Hanini, had just arrived with some fellow Jews. They told him how the living conditions of the Israelites were pathetic and the city wall was in ruins. Nehemiah mourned and fasted over this and prayed to God.
Artaxerxes was in his 20th year of reigning and it was the month of Nisan. Nehemiah served wine to the king and Artaxerxes asked him if he was sick or depressed. Nehemiah grew agitated and stated, "Long live the king! And why wouldn't I be depressed when the city, the city where all my family is buried, is in ruins and the city gates have been reduced to cinders?" Artazerxes asked how long the work would take and when he would be coming back. Nehemiah gave him a time and received approval. He asked the king to proved him with letters to the governors across the Euphrates stating his travel was authorized through to Judah. He also asked that Asaph supply timber for the Temple fortress, the city wall, and the house where he'd be living. The king even sent a cavalry escort with Nehemiah. Sanballet the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite were angry anyone would even pursue the interested of the Israelites. Once in Jerusalem, Nehemiah went past the valley gate toward the dragons fountain to the dung gate. He then crossed the fountain gate to the kings pool but the donkey he rode didn't have enough room to go through. Nehemiah inspected the city wall in secret. He then told the Jews, priests, nobles, and local officials how God and king Artaxerxes supported him coming to help repair the city wall. The people were ready to get started!
Artaxerxes wrote Ezra a letter explaining his approval of this voyage. He gave him silver, gold, and donated offerings to purchase bulls, rams, lambs, and other ingredients for offerings. When they arrived, they waited 3 days then silver, gold, and vessels were weighed. Eleazar, Levites Jozabad and Noadiah, and Meremoth the priest did the sorting. The Israelites who were once exiled offered a whole burnt offering to God, which included 12 bulls, 96 rams, and 77 goats. Twelve goats were also sacrificed for an absolution offering. The leaders came to Ezra and told him the people of Israel hadn't kept distance from their neighbors with all their pagan ideas (Caananites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites). Some daughters married into their families and when Ezra learned this happened, he ripped his clothes in distress!!! He even pulled out some of his hair. During the evening sacrifice, Ezra dropped to his knees and prayed to God. He was so ashamed by what the Israelites did and their sin was so abundant. They threw God's commands to the wind and did what they wanted. Ezra asked God if he was angry enough to wipe the Israelites out completely. As Ezra prayed, a large number of people gathered around him. Shecaniah spoke on their behalf and admitted what they did, saying not all hope was list. He suggested making a promise to God agreeing to do away with all the wives and children. Ezra took initiative and had all the Israelite leaders, priests, Levies, and the people of Israel swear to carry out what Shecaniah proposed.
A summons was sent out for all those exiled throughout Judah and Jerusalem to meet in Jerusalem. If they weren't there within 3 days, the person's possessions would be taken away and given to those who were previously exiled. All the men from Judah and Benjamin arrived in time and were anxiously aggravated about the relentless rain. Ezra stood before them and urged them to confess and separate from their foreign wives. The whole group of men said they'd obey. The men suggested their leaders act on their behalf and have everyone who lives in the cities come at a specific time since there was so many people and it was the rainy season. Elders and judges from that city would come with them. The only people who opposed this plan were Jonathan and Jahzeiah. The plan was put into action and Ezra chose family heads and sat down with them on the 1st day of the 10th month. By the first day of the 1st month, they were finished going through all the men who took a foreign wife. The men all promised to divorce their wives and this was sealed by a handshake. Because of their guilt, they sacrificed a ram for a compensation offering.
Work, by it's very nature, is holy. The biblical story is dominated by people who have jobs in gardening, shepherding, the military, politics, carpentry, tent making, homemaking, fishing, and more. Nehemiah is one of these. He started out as a government worker in the employ of a foreign king. The he became-and this is the work he tells us in these memoirs-a building contractor, called into rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem."
~Eugene Peterson
In the month of Kislev (http://www.inner.org/times/kislev/kislev.htm) in the 20th year, Nehemiah was in the palace complex at Susa, where he worked as a cup bearer. His brother, Hanini, had just arrived with some fellow Jews. They told him how the living conditions of the Israelites were pathetic and the city wall was in ruins. Nehemiah mourned and fasted over this and prayed to God.
Artaxerxes was in his 20th year of reigning and it was the month of Nisan. Nehemiah served wine to the king and Artaxerxes asked him if he was sick or depressed. Nehemiah grew agitated and stated, "Long live the king! And why wouldn't I be depressed when the city, the city where all my family is buried, is in ruins and the city gates have been reduced to cinders?" Artazerxes asked how long the work would take and when he would be coming back. Nehemiah gave him a time and received approval. He asked the king to proved him with letters to the governors across the Euphrates stating his travel was authorized through to Judah. He also asked that Asaph supply timber for the Temple fortress, the city wall, and the house where he'd be living. The king even sent a cavalry escort with Nehemiah. Sanballet the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite were angry anyone would even pursue the interested of the Israelites. Once in Jerusalem, Nehemiah went past the valley gate toward the dragons fountain to the dung gate. He then crossed the fountain gate to the kings pool but the donkey he rode didn't have enough room to go through. Nehemiah inspected the city wall in secret. He then told the Jews, priests, nobles, and local officials how God and king Artaxerxes supported him coming to help repair the city wall. The people were ready to get started!
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