Ezra/Nehemiah – The Renewing of the Covenant

After the completion of the wall, in the month of Tishrei, the people gather before the Water Gate to dedicate themselves as the people of God. It is around this time that the Festival of Booths occurred in the time of Moses, but the feast had fallen into disuse, as well as the day of…

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Ezra/Nehemiah – The Rededication of the People

After the people had heard the law, they confessed their sins and worshipped God. Ezra traces the history of God’s people, from His mighty deliverance from Egypt through the presumptuous sins of the people to the establishment of the land of Israel.  The people came into the land but turned away again and were sent…

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Ezra/Nehemiah – Populating Jerusalem

After the city is protected by the walls and the people and the city are blessed, Jerusalem must be repopulated to maintain a civilization to support the temple. Some volunteer to live there, but many are chosen by lottery. Download MP3 (41:10; 23 MB)

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Ezra/Nehemiah – Sabbath Rest

Israel gave a portion to the temple, but the high priest Eliashib gave space in the temple for the donations to Tobiah, who was forbidden to be in the assembly of God because he was an Ammonite.  Nehemiah threw Tobiah’s things out of the temple and likewise shut down the merchants who sold goods to…

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Ezra/Nehemiah – Lessons for Today

There are many lessons to take from the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The story is told in such a way as to mirror the Exodus and the settlement of Israel. This is a restoration of the people of God, and if the people are to serve as an example of God’s great deeds, the…

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Ezra/Nehemiah – Conclusion

We must know God’s word if we are His people, but we must also have it in our hearts. This word is for all of us, not just the clergy. We must drill it into our children’s hearts so that we can act on it rather than knowing the word but not acting on it.…

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