This week we begin the journey through the New Testament, starting with Jesus’ birth narratives. We will read of Jesus’ miraculous birth in two of the Gospels: Matthew and Luke. Mark passes over those stories, choosing to begin his Gospel at the point where Jesus begins His earthly ministry as an adult. John however, begins his testimony about Jesus in a very different way. Rather than starting with Jesus’ natural birth, John begins by referring to Jesus as The Word, who was present at the very beginning of time. John wants us to clearly understand from the outset the eternal majesty, deity, and Creator rights of Christ, the Messiah of the prophesies.

This week we begin the journey through the New Testament, starting with Jesus’ birth narratives. We will read of Jesus’ miraculous birth in two of the Gospels: Matthew and Luke. Mark passes over those stories, choosing to begin his Gospel at the point where Jesus begins His earthly ministry as an adult. John however, begins his testimony about Jesus in a very different way. Rather than starting with Jesus’ natural birth, John begins by referring to Jesus as The Word, who was present at the very beginning of time. John wants us to clearly understand from the outset the eternal majesty, deity, and Creator rights of Christ, the Messiah of the prophesies

The biblical figures of Ezra and Nehemiah are not the most popular or well-known. Years after the first group returned to rebuild the temple, another group returned under the leadership of Ezra, a priest and Bible scholar who was passionate about God and His Word. Ezra would do everything in his power to lead the Israelites into a new era of devotion to their God. After that, a final group returned under Nehemiah, who desired to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He led the people to do so despite the fearful tactics of their enemies to derail and stop the project. Ezra and Nehemiah were reformers who were determined not to allow this reemerging but fledgling nation to fall back into her old ways.

The biblical figures of Ezra and Nehemiah are not the most popular or well-known. Years after the first group returned to rebuild the temple, another group returned under the leadership of Ezra, a priest and Bible scholar who was passionate about God and His Word. Ezra would do everything in his power to lead the Israelites into a new era of devotion to their God. After that, a final group returned under Nehemiah, who desired to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He led the people to do so despite the fearful tactics of their enemies to derail and stop the project. Ezra and Nehemiah were reformers who were determined not to allow this reemerging but fledgling nation to fall back into her old ways.

Fifty years after the first group of exiles returned to Jerusalem, the majority of Israelites remained scattered throughout the Persian Empire, and many lived in the capital city of Susa, including a woman name Esther. Esther, an orphan who was raised by her righteous cousin Mordecai, eventually won favor with the king, becoming queen. In the story of Esther, we see how God works behind the scene to fulfill His promises and grand purpose; even when we cannot see God working, He is. God is in control, working all things out for the good. We also learn from the bravery and courage of Esther. Sometimes we must stand in courage, even when it is not popular to do so, and risk it all.

Fifty years after the first group of exiles returned to Jerusalem, the majority of Israelites remained scattered throughout the Persian Empire, and many lived in the capital city of Susa, including a woman name Esther. Esther, an orphan who was raised by her righteous cousin Mordecai, eventually won favor with the king, becoming queen. In the story of Esther, we see how God works behind the scene to fulfill His promises and grand purpose; even when we cannot see God working, He is. God is in control, working all things out for the good. We also learn from the bravery and courage of Esther. Sometimes we must stand in courage, even when it is not popular to do so, and risk it all.

After three generations have passed and Israel has been in exile for 70 years, the Persian King, Cyrus, overthrew the King of Babylon and encouraged all foreigners living there to return to their homelands. So, in 537 B. C. about 50,000 exiles returned to their homeland to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra. But the opposition of the local people caused fear and discouraged the Israelites from completing their work. After the foundation and altar were built, the temple remained untouched for sixteen years while the people built their own fine homes. God sent His prophet Haggai to call the people back to their primary task. The unfinished work revealed their growing spiritual apathy

After three generations have passed and Israel has been in exile for 70 years, the Persian King, Cyrus, overthrew the King of Babylon and encouraged all foreigners living there to return to their homelands. So, in 537 B. C. about 50,000 exiles returned to their homeland to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra. But the opposition of the local people caused fear and discouraged the Israelites from completing their work. After the foundation and altar were built, the temple remained untouched for sixteen years while the people built their own fine homes. God sent His prophet Haggai to call the people back to their primary task. The unfinished work revealed their growing spiritual apathy

Daniel was not a prophet in the traditional sense. He did not preach publicly to the Israelites before or during captivity. He was a prophet in the sense that he received God’s inspired message and revealed the truths that God showed him. His stellar character stands out in both his words and deeds. The book of Daniel points to three purposes. First, it shows that God was faithful to protect His covenant people in and through their discipline. Secondly, within this story, we see that God is sovereign over all nations. Finally, Daniel himself serves as a model for godly living in a heathen culture and his example still applies to us today.

Daniel was not a prophet in the traditional sense. He did not preach publicly to the Israelites before or during captivity. He was a prophet in the sense that he received God’s inspired message and revealed the truths that God showed him. His stellar character stands out in both his words and deeds. The book of Daniel points to three purposes. First, it shows that God was faithful to protect His covenant people in and through their discipline. Secondly, within this story, we see that God is sovereign over all nations. Finally, Daniel himself serves as a model for godly living in a heathen culture and his example still applies to us today.