Book report.

So today’s books are Genesis 11, Nehemiah 1, Matthew 11, and Acts 11.

Since I (we?) got through the entire book of Ezra, maybe I will do a ‘book report’ :)

Basically, the book was about the end of the exile from Judah. King Cyrus of Persia had decreed that the exile was over and that the people of the Lord had to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem that had been destroyed. He ordered for all of the utensils to be returned and everything restored, which is pretty cool of him! Chapter 2 is all about lineage and an overall census of the people and then it goes on about how they use all of the able people to rebuild the church. Stonemasons, overseers, builders and others began to lay the foundation (with materials sent over by King Cyrus himself! I love this guy!). They rejoiced and celebrated until the Samaritans and their ‘enemies’ got word of their doings. The new king of Persia was not pleased with the building so he halted their work ‘which lasted until the second year of the reign of Darius, king of Persia’. Darius decreed a decree against the second decree and the building continued. It was finished and they had an amazingly huge offering/sacrifice. Ezra in this book is actually a priest-scribe who told the people to put the gold and silver pieces back into the temple. He was extremely wise, in accordance with God and definitely felt that the guilt and burdens of the people were upon him. He cried out to God that he and the people were wicked and felt so bad! But his weeping and devotion saved a large number of people because he drew them to the temple. Yay Ezra!

@1 month ago